74 



The importance of multiplying copies of nil valuable 

 documents, for which purpose the press is the great agent, 

 cannot be overestimated, and numerous citations can be 

 adduced in confirmation of the statement. The incidents 

 connected with the late great conflagration at Chicago may 

 suffice in this case. The Historical Society of that city 

 lost much that is irrecoverable ; as manuscript documents 

 and correspondence relative to the early history of Illinois. 

 In the Academy of Sciences of Chicago were lost also 

 the valuable manuscripts containing the results of the 

 Scientific work of Dr. AVilliam Stimpson for nearly twenty 

 years ; these were ready for the press, awaiting the action 

 of government to have them printed. 



OFFICERS ELECTED. 



for the year ensuing and until others shall be chosen in 

 their stead. 



President. 

 HENRY WHEfTLAND. 



Vice Presidents. 



Of History — A. C. Goodell, Jr. Of Horticulture — Wm. Sutton. 



0/ the Arts — Geo. rEAUouY. Of Natural Hist07-y — F. W. Putnam. 



Becording and Home Secretary. 



Amos H. Johnsox. 



Foreign Secretary. 



A. S. Pa c KARD, Jr. 



Treasurer. 



Henry W ii e a t l ^' d . 



' Librarian. 



W. P. U P II A M . 



Superintendent of the dfuseum. 

 John Roiun so n . 

 Curators of Historical Department. 

 ^ W. P. Upliain, M. A. Slickney, John Kobinson. 



