MEETING, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22. 171 



Rooms of the Essex Institute, 

 Salem, Mass., 

 November 22, 1881. 

 To the Hon. George Alley, 



In behalf of the Historical Society for 



Prince Edward Island. 

 Sir: 



The Essex Institute, located at Salem in the 

 County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 

 met at Salem, November 22nd, and received and considered 

 with much pleasure, your communication of the 17th in- 

 stant. The undersigned was instructed to express, in 

 return, the sentiments of the Institute. 



It is with no ordinary gratification that we are able to 

 greet and welcome one more member to the growing sis- 

 terhood of the Historical Societies of America. And if 

 we can be of service in any way, either through an ex- 

 change of publications or otherwise, in furthering the 

 noble objects of your research, or the general cause of 

 fraternity among men and peoples, and especially in con- 

 tributing to the culture and happiness of the people of 

 your beautiful Island, it will give us great pleasure. 



In this I speak the sense of every associate of this elder 

 Society, and will add that we shall be especially happy 

 if our contiguity to the town of Marblehead may possi- 

 bly lead us to some discoveries bearing directly upon the 

 points raised in your letter. 



I am, sir, 

 In behalf of the Essex Institute, 



Yours very respectfully, 



Robert S. Rantoul. 



The Secretary, in announcing the donations, particu- 

 larized several interesting manuscripts that had recently 



