had charge of his employer's business, which was far from inconsiderable, and he remained with him until his retirement, in 1838.

James W. was then a youth of about eighteen years, but so well advanced in mercantile methods and knowledge that he was taken into partnership by his father on May 1st, 1838, in his shipping office, at No. 57 South street, the firm being known as John Elwell & Co. The father died in August, 1847, and for five years thereafter the business was conducted by James W. Elwell alone. During his partnership with his father, he allowed his earnings to pay his father's obligations, brought about by the panic of 1837, by endorsing notes and signing bonds for others. He increased its business, establishing lines of sailing vessels between New York. and the principal Southern seaports, as well as extending its export and import trade to the East and West Indies and South America.

Charles Frederick Elwell, a brother of our subject and a clerk in his employ, and Thomas Besant, his book keeper, were admitted into partnership in 1852, the firm becoming James W. Elwell & Co. About two years About two years later Mr. Besant withdrew from the firm; but its title remained, as it still does, the same. Mr. C. F. Elwell retired from the firm in 1885.

Two brothers of Mr. Elwell are living, one of whom was for many years a shipmaster, and is now engaged in business in Philadelphia, Pa. The

youngest of the four brothers was the former partner, before referred to. He was at one time President of the New York Maritime Exchange. On the maternal side, the Elwell family is descended from Mary Sprague, one of the notable family of that name, who came to America in 1728, landing in Plymouth, and settling in Duxbury and Marshfields, Mass. Subsequently some of their descendants removed into Rhode Island and Maine, where its members are well known and influential.

Mr. James W. Elwell was connected, from the origin, in 1838, with the old Merchants' Exchange, which subsequently became the present Produce Exchange of New York. He was for many years one of its arbitration committee, a tribunal equally as high in its powers as the Supreme court of the State. In 1855 he became a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and was one of the incorporators of the Shipowners' Association.

In politics, he was originally a Whig; but, since the organization of the Republican party, he has not identified himself with any one in particular, preferring to remain independent in politics, especially in local matters-and in this he only votes for the best

man.

Although he has been connected with a great number of railroad, insurance and other enterprises, outside of his individual business, besides charitable and benevolent acts, he has not been absorbed by them; and his

generous nature has prompted to acts of beneficence of the most liberal character. Few, if any, men have done as much during their lifetime in practical and unostentatious charity. The writer has been informed by friends of Mr. Elwell that he has donated substantial aid to not less than four hundred religious and charitable institutions, besides many and many times over, in his quiet way, in private gifts to the needy. It would require many times the space which could be given in a magazine article to particularize, even briefly, as to these many acts of kindness. But they are known to thousands; and although Mr. Elwell has not sought praise for his generous acts, the pleasure he has brought to this multitude of needy ones must but reflect itself in his heart as a generous act well done in each instance. The consciousness of this is, in itself, sufficient reward to this man, who does a generous act because it is a pleasure to him. In the autumn of life, yet still vigorous and active, how much greater must be the gratification to him than any sordid hoarding

of his wealth would have brought. All honor to such men of wealth! They are too few to pass by without more than a word of commendation. Mr. Elwell married Miss Olivia P. Robertson, of Bath, Me., in 1844. Her death took place in 1851; and he subsequently married Miss Lucy E. R. Stintson, also of Bath. He has three daughters living, one of them by his first wife. He has attended Clinton Avenue Congregational Church, in Brooklyn, since 1854, having become a member on January 3, 1864, subsequent to which time he has been a familiar figure in the church in which he has seated the stranger in that genial way which always made him feel at home and welcome.

In closing, while we could say much more of Mr. Elwell, we will be content to mention his three most prominent characteristics: These are-fondness for old people; affection for little children, and love of flowers. Truly, these, also, bespeak the nature of the We need say no more.

man.

GEO. WILLIAMS TRAVERS.

THE Seventh Annual Meeting of the American Historical Association, was held in Washington City, in December, commencing on the 29th and closing on the 31st. The attendance was the largest yet reached, one hundred and seven members being present, as against eighty-seven in 1889. Six sessions in all were held. A varied and attractive programme was presented, ranging from

Canada and the United States," by Dr. J. G. Bourinot, clerk of the Canadian House of Commons, to "The Yazoo Land Companies," by Dr. Charles H. Haskins of Wisconsin, and from "Bismarck as a Typical German," by William G. Taylor of New York, to "Political Ideas of the Puritans," by Herbert L. Osgood of Columbia College. Dr. William Harris, the national commissioner of education; Hon. John Jay, and President D. C. Gilman of the Johns Hopkins University, were among those who presented papers upon special themes. The headquarters were at the Arlington. The Cosmos Club extended the privileges of its club house to the members while in Washington, and Mr. and Mrs. William D. Cabell gave a reception one afternoon. The committee on time and place for the next meeting reported in favor of the holiday season and the city of Washington. Hon. William Wirt Henry was elected president. The old board of officers was retained, and Mr. Henry Adams, the historian, was chosen one of the vice-presidents.

MR. JOHN H. B. LATROBE, who presided at a recent meeting of the Maryland Historical Society, spoke of his acquaintance with Charles Carroll of Carrollton, when a letter

of inquiry in reference to the artists who painted the famous signer's portraits was read. "I believe I am now the only living man," said Mr. Latrobe, "who knew Carroll of Carrollton personally. He was my client, and I was well acquainted with his family. I remember once, after I had written a biogarphy of him, I took it to the o'd gentleman and read it over. He bowed his head courteously at the conclusion, for he was the highest type of an old-time gentleman, and said: Yes, that is all perfectly correct, sir, but you make me out a much greater man than I ever expected to be.'" Mr. Latrobe said that a portrait of Carroll, owned by Mrs. Acosta, and now in the possession of the society, is a remarkably faithful likeness and the best in existence. "The picture seems to speak," he declared.

ONE of the old and original patentees in the Norwalk (Conn.) settlement, was a family by the name of Kellogg, Among the records of the family are a number of deeds and patents from the Indians which are very interesting. An Indian deed to Roger Ludlowe is as follows:

"A deed of sale made by Norwalke Indians unto Meisters Roger Ludlowe of Fairfield, as followeth, 26th February, 1640.

"An agreement made between the Indians of Norwalke and Roger Ludlowe: It is agreed that the Indians of Norwalke, for deed in consideration of eight fathoms of wampum, six coates, tenn hatchets, tenn hoes, tenn knifes, tenn sissors, tenn jewes harpes, ten fathoms tobackoe, three kettles of six hands about, tenn looking glasses, have granted all the lands, meddows, pasturings, trees what

soever there is and grounds between the twoe rivers, the one called Norwake and the other Soakatuck, to the middle of saidd rivers from the sea a day's walke into the country, to the sayed Roger Ludlowe and his heirs and assigns for ever, and that noe Indian or other shall challenge or claim any ground within the sayed river or limits nor disturb the sayed Roger, his heirs or assigns within the precincts aforesaid."

At the bottom of the deed are the names of several Indian chiefs, who signed the document. Another deed from the Indians is to Captain Patrick. It reads as follows:

An agreement between Daniel Patrick and Mehackem and Naramake and Pemenate Hewnamponn, Indians of Norwake and Makenton, to the said Daniel Patrick hath bought of the said three Indians the ground called Sacunyte Napucke; also Meenworth; thirdly, Asmusowis; fourthly, all the land adjoyninge to the after-mentioned as far up in the country as an Indian can go in a day from sun rising to sun setting, and two islands neere adjoininge to the sayed Carantenayneek, all bounded on the west side with Noewanton, on the east to the River Norwake, and all trees, meadows and natural adjuncts thereunto belonginge for him and his heirs forever.

"For which land the sayed Indians are to receive of the said Daniel Patrick of Wampum tenn fathoms, hatchets three, howes three, when ship comes, sixe glasses, twelve tobacco pipes, three knifes, tenn drills, tenn needles. This as full satisfaction for the aforementioned lande and for the peaceful possession of which the aforementioned Mahachewell doth promise and undertake to silence all opposers of this purchase if any should in his time act. To witnesse which on both sides our hands are interchangeably hereunto sett this 20th day of April, 1640."

Ar the annual meeting of the Webster Historical Society, held at Boston, the principal officers for the ensuing year were elected as

follows: President, Stephen M. Allen, of Duxbury; Vice-Presidents, Abner C. Goodell, Jr., Nathaniel P. Banks, Massachusetts; George F. Edmunds, Vermont; Henry Howard, Rhode Island; L. D. Mason, New Hampshire; Joshua L. Chamberlain, Maine; the Rev. Henry Barnard, Connecticut; William M. Evarts, New York; J. H. Stickney, Maryland; D. W. Manchester, Ohio; Lucius Hubbard, Minnesota; J. C. Welling, District of Columbia; G. C. Ludlow, New Jersey; General W. T. Sherman, Missouri; Dr. E. W. Jenks, Michigan; J B. Young, Iowa; Horace Noyes, West Virginia; J. H. Campbell, Pennsyivania; W. H. Baker, New Mexico; the Rev. C. M. Blake, California. Executive Committee-Stephen M. Allen, Mellen Chamberlain, John D. Long, Thomas H. Cummings; Finance Committee-Russell Bradford, F. M. Boutwell, N. W. Ladd, the Rev. J. H. Ward, George W. Forristal, Hiram H. Tallmadge. Histriographer-The Rev. W. C. Winslow. Treasurer-S. M. Allen. Recording Clerk and Corresponding Secretary-Thomas H. Cummings.

ONE of the great features of the recent sale of the Leffingwell collection at Boston, was the composition for a large two-page letter signed by the Rev. John Eliot, missionary to the Indians. It bears date Roxbury, the 22 of the 6, 1673," and it is addressed to the Rev. Mr. Shephard, at Charlestown. It was started at $10 and the words were scarcely out of the bidder's mouth before $50 was offered. Then came $100 to which was immediately added $25, and so it leaped upward, nobody attempting to raise the last bidder less than $25 till the offers reached $450. At last Mr. Benjamin boldly offered $500, which effectually stopped all competition. Other bids were $220 for a document, also by the Rev. John Eliot, dated 1697, and bearing the signature of Governor Winthrop; $400 for the Constitution of the United States and letter of Washington as President of the convention submitting the constitution to Con

gress.

On another day Benjamin Franklin was by long odds the favorite, a letter of his dated from Paris, February 2, 1797, selling for $65. A letter of Franklin's to his wife brought $32. A letter of William Hindman's after considerable competition, was sold for $31. The next favorite was John Hancock, and of the six letters of his offered, one brought $27, another $26, and a third $24. His signature as President of Congress only brought $5. The autograph of Whitman Hill was bought by Mr. Davenport, for $24. The highest price paid for an autograph of Thomas Jefferson's was $30. A letter of John Jay's was sold for $15, and a historical document of Ralph Izard's, dated Naples, January 15, 1775, brought $11. A letter of Benjamin Harrison's telling of a report prevailing that General Washington "is become so unpopular in his army that no officer will dine with him," was bought for $9.

AT the annual meeting of the Oneida Historical Society, Hon. C. W. Hutchinson, the first vice-president, occupied the chair. The annual reports were received, Rees G. Williams, the recording secretary, reporting that there had been an increase in attendance and

interest during the year. General C. W. Darling, corresponding secretary, reported: Full number of commuciations issued from January 15, 1890, to January 13, 1891; 3,734, as per correspondence book to be seen at office of the corresponding secretary. Expenditures for postage and express charges, on publications sent to the Oneida Historical Society, as shown by the book above-named, $50.10. The number of communications received, it is assumed, will be about the same as the number issued, although not the same critical memoranda could be taken without the expenditure of double the amount of time and labor. Officers were elected as follows: president, Hon. C, W. Hutchinson; first vicepresident, Henry Hurlburt; second vicepresident, George D. Dimon; third vice-president, Hon. D. E. Wager; secretary, Rees G.

Williams; corresponding secretary, General C. W. Darling; librarian, Dr. M. M. Bagg; treasurer, Warren C. Rowley; counsellors, Rev. D. W. Bigelow, W. Stuart Walcott; executive committee, Alexander Seward, Daniel Batchelor, George C. Sawyer, B. G. Beach, N. Curtis White. Hon. Mr. Hutchinson and George D. Dimon expressed their sense of the honors conferred upon them. In the evening the members of the society gathered in Library Hall to listen to the annual address by B. S. Terry, Professor of History in Colgate University.

THE State Historical Society of Wisconsin held its thirty-eighth annual meeting, with the usual large and interested attendance. President John Johnston, of Milwaukee, delivered his annual address. Secretary Reuben G. Thwaites, as the executive officer of the society, then presented his annual report. While the year, he reported, had been without special event in the affairs of the society, there had been the usual progress in the several departments of activity. The accessions to the collections had been gratifyingly large and valuable, and there was to be noted an increased interest in the society's work upon the part of the public, with a decided gain in the number of users of the library. The crowd of visitors to the portrait gallery and museum had been at least as large as usual —perhaps somewhat exceeding the previous year. Attention was called to the death, June 27, of Vice-President John H. Rountree, of Platteville, and an earnest tribute was paid to his memory, as almost the last of the coterie of lead-mine pioneer celebrities who were in at the beginning of American development in Wisconsin. The deaths were also noted with brief notices of their connection with Wisconsin history-of the following prominent pioneers, all of whom passed away in 1890: Mrs. Elizabeth T. Baird, E. H. Brodhead, Samuel G. Colley, Noah D. Comstock, Jonathan Ford, George C. Ginty, Edward A. Goodenough, Madam Madeline