ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HISTORY 227 



the preparation of a monumental report upon the vast store of 

 manuscript materials for American history now preserved in 

 Washington. 



{b) Secondly, it might thereafter proceed, upon a carefully con- 

 sidered plan, to the scholarly editing of whatever might seem most 

 important in this mass of historical material. If a bureau main- 

 tained by the Carnegie Institution (in which Congress will, no 

 doubt, have the same kind of confidence as in the Smithsonian) 

 should undertake to provide such bodies of documentary material, 

 prepared in the best manner for publication, there can be little 

 doubt that Congress could readily be persuaded to provide for 

 their printing. The result might be a noble series, comparable to 

 the Monumenta GermaiiicB Historica and other collections of sources 

 achieved in Europe by the mutual cooperation of governments and 

 scholars. 



(c) Thirdly, such an institute should serve as a clearing house for 

 the historical scholars of the country. It should facilitate their 

 personal researches in Washington and, so far as possible, aid those 

 who are at a distance to avail themselves of its treasures. 



(^) Fourthly, it should provide suitable guidance and instruction 

 for such advanced and highly competent graduate students as should 

 resort to it for the purpose. The number should be kept small by 

 high requirements. But it would be of great advantage to the 

 future of historical instruction and investigation in this country if 

 every year a few of the best and most advanced graduate students 

 of history could, before they begin their life work, be properly intro- 

 duced to the rich stores of historical material in Washington and to 

 its inspiring atmosphere, and, it should be remarked, there exists 

 now no regular means toward this end, such as the scientific estab- 

 lishments of the Government afford to students of the physical 

 sciences. In such instruction the director should have the aid, per- 

 haps by annual rotation, of a succession of professors from the lead- 

 ing universities. 



To proceed cautiously and to make a right beginning are so im- 

 portant that it might probably be best that the director chosen for 

 such an institute should, for the first year, or at least for some 

 months, occupy himself solely with such inquiries, examinations of 

 archives, and consultations in Washington and elsewhere as should 

 enable him to devise judicious detailed plans for its organization and 

 early operations. 



