NOTES.

Prof. R. L. Batts' paper on “The Defunct Counties of Texas,” which was read at the meeting of the Association on June 17, could not be printed in this number of The Quarterly for want of space; it will appear in the October number.

Eldredge &Bro. have in press “The Civil Government of Texas,” by Dr. George P. Garrison, which will contain, in a brief compass, an historical sketch of the State, and a description of its government. When this work appears, it will be further noticed in the Quarterly.

At the June meeting an interesting and valuable paper was presented to the Association by Mr. C. A. Neville, superintendent of schools at Hempstead. It is the discharge of a private soldier, Jeremiah Belcher, given at Newburgh, June 14, 1783, and signed by Gen. Washington.

The scrap-book bequeathed by Mrs. Wilson contains an original letter from Jefferson Davis to Col. Wilson, besides numerous other original letters of great value in Texas history. There are also several original papers, such as commissions, to Col. Wilson, signed by President Buchanan, Gov. Letcher of Virginia, Sam Houston, and others.

The Texas Veterans' Association, at its April meeting, turned over its archives as a gift to the University of Texas. The papers have not yet been received by the University, but it is understood that there are among them many interesting letters and other documents, written by men prominent in the history of the Republic and the State.

“Under Six Flags” is the title of an excellent little work on Texas history by Mrs. Mollie E. Moore Davis. It is composed of chapters respecting the different epochs of our history, charmingly written, and unusually free from errors. It is especially adapted to school work in Texas history, and will doubtless soon become a school-room classic.

At the request of the Executive Council, the President of the State University has set aside an alcove in the new library for the use of the Association. This alcove will be under the control of Dr. Garrison, librarian of the Association, and will be arranged with special regard to the convenience of readers and the display of such documents, etc., in the possession of the Association, as may be interesting to the public.

The Historical Association is in receipt of a circular announcing that The Alcalde, a paper hitherto published at the State University, will be enlarged, and its character changed to that of a general weekly newspaper for Texas. It will be non-partisan. The first number will appear in November. L. E. Hill and John O. Phillips, both of Austin, are the editors. The Executive Council of the Association has accepted an offer from these gentlemen of one page per week, to be under the control of the Association, and devoted to its affairs.

Judge Z. T. Fulmore has now in press a comprehensive chart, showing, in five maps, the history of Texas geography, together with a digest of the facts constituting the history of the boundaries of Texas. The chart will also contain a clever diagram showing the evolution of the counties of Texas from the original municipalities, the origin of names, date of creation, etc.; a list of Texas officials extending back into the period of Spanish rule; and much statistical information as to the material progress of Texas from the earliest times to the present.

Among other valuable gifts that have been made to the Association are two scrap-books full of important historical matter, one from Mrs. Julia Lee Sinks of Giddings, the other the bequest of Mrs. M. A. C. Wilson, lately deceased, the widow of Col. William F. Wilson. The first contains Mrs. Sinks' own narrative of the recovery of the bones of the decimated Mier prisoners and Dawson men, and their burial at La Grange in 1848. Mrs. Sinks assisted at the burial herself. The collection includes copies of letters from Austin, Rusk, Lamar, and other prominent men of the Republic.

William G. Scarff, publisher, Dallas, has in press two works whose appearance is looked forward to with most hopeful anticipation by those interested in Texas history. Both are edited by Dudley G. Wooten of Dallas, whose special fitness for the work is unquestionable. The first is “A Comprehensive History of Texas,” consisting of a reprint of the original text of Yoakum's “History of Texas,” with notes by Moses Austin Bryan, Frank W. Johnson, Guy M. Bryan, and the editor, together with various monographic additions, covering almost every phase of the subject. Among these are the political history of the State by ex-Governor O. M. Roberts; the Mexican War and Annexation, by the late General S. B. Maxey; the material, social, and religious history since 1845, by the editor, etc. The second is “A Complete History of Texas for Schools, Colleges, and General Use.” There is need for such a book as this title suggests. It is expected that both these works will be reviewed in a subsequent number of the Quarterly.

An interesting and valuable collection of newspapers and relics has been received from Mrs. Anson Jones of Houston, and is now held in trust by Dr. George P. Garrison, Mrs. Dora Fowler Arthur, and Mr. Lester G. Bugbee, until the establishment of a Texas Museum. The collection contains the following articles owned and used by President Anson Jones: portfolio (just as left by him), wafer box, wafer stamp, sealing wax, pen, piece of cloak worn by him on the day of his inauguration as President of the Republic of Texas, December 9, 1844. The collection also contains the following articles used by Mrs. Jones for over fifty years: needle book, gold pencil, and veil. The newspapers, forty- two in all, including a few fragments, are very well preserved; they are mostly Texas papers, published during the last years of the Republic and the period immediately following Annexation. There are several copies each of The Civilian and Galveston Gazette, The Western Texian, Texas Ranger, The Texas Ranger and Brazos Guard, and others. Many of the papers are rendered more valuable by occasional marginal comments in the writing of President Jones. A more detailed description will appear in the October Quarterly.