1905
"Of this book one hundred copies are printed."--T.p. recto.
PREFACTORY NOTE
INTEREST in American history of the colonial and revolutionary times is a matter of comparatively recent growth. I mean a general interest, not merely the devotion of a few antiquarians. It is gratifying to know that the women of America are sharing in this interest and are doing good work. The organization of chapters of Daughters of the American Revolution and of Colonial Dames and of kindred societies has undoubtedly stimulated the spirit of inquiry and it has been followed by excellent results.
In this book some papers are presented which were originally prepared for societies such as those I have mentioned and two or three of them have been printed in periodicals. The writer did not regard them as deserving of further publication, but some of her friends, believing that they ought not to be allowed to share the fate of essays of that order, have persuaded her to preserve them in this privately printed volume.
The modest author would be among the last to ascribe to them any great historical value; but there are those who have a different judgment about them, and who are confident that their sincerity of purpose and their grace of style will commend them to readers who love the study of the story of olden times.
I am permitted to make a confession, on behalf of the author. The autograph letter of Carteret is purely the product of her historical imagination. The governor might have written but there no evidence that he ever did write The other autographs mentioned are true, valid and genuine beyond question.
A.H.J.
