AFFAIRS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
The index to Volume I of The Quarterly has been prepared, but it has been thought best to defer the printing of it until the final number of Volume II appears. This will be the number for April, 1899. The index will be so printed that it can be detached and bound with Volume I by those members who have that volume still unbound.
The appearance of the editor's name in this number of The Quarterly is no more than the announcement, by authority of the Publication Committee, of a fact which has, almost of necessity, existed from the time when the publication was first undertaken. The editorial office in this' case, while demanding no little labor and care and involving a responsibility that is keenly felt, carries with it no pecuniary compensation. The editor's reward lies mainly in the hope that he is promoting the interests of his chosen work, of the Association, and of the State of Texas. He will strive to make The Quarterly worthy of the Association and the State.
According to the policy adopted by the management of the Association, The Quarterly has been sent free to the principal libraries of America, and this arrangement will continue until the second volume is complete, or until the next number has been issued. After that, such libraries as desire its continuance and have nothing to offer in the way of exchange, will be expected to subscribe.
In this connection, while there is no intention to advertise in this Department, it may not be amiss to say The Quarterly has been well received, both within the State and beyond it. Many kindly things are said of it in letters received from thoroughly competent critics, as well as in the newspapers and periodicals to which it is sent. These opinions it will be the constant effort of the management to justify.
The Faculty of the State Agricultural and Mechanical College has kindly sent for publication in The Quarterly three rare and valuable Spanish MSS. obtained from the Ramirez collection. One of these may be looked for in the April number. It is the letter of Padre Manzanet, giving an account of the establishment of the first Texas mission, San Francisco de los Tejas. If arrangements can be made therefor without involving too great cost, the MS. will be given in fac simile. A translation by Miss Lilia M. Casis, instructor in French and Spanish in the University of Texas, will accompany it. The other two will appear in later issues.
The “Prison Journal” of Stephen F. Austin, published in this number by the courtesy of Col. Guy M. Bryan, is of especial interest as containing Austin's private statement of his views relative to the conscientiously conservative policy which he adopted in dealing with the Mexican government, and which was so strongly disapproved by some of the more impatient among the Colonists. Subsequent numbers of The Quarterly will contain various important documents relative to the history of Austin's Colony. In the April number is to appear the diary of Moses Austin, covering the period of his journey in 1796-7 from Virginia to what has since become Missouri.
The Regents of the University have made an appropriation for the purpose of constructing a fire-proof vault, and the Association can now assure all who feel disposed to give it MSS. or any kind of valuable material that such gifts will be stored in a safe depository and carefully preserved. It is sincerely hoped that much matter of historical importance now in private hands will be given to the Association to be kept where it will be at once more useful to students of history, and less liable to be lost or destroyed.
There has been thus far no definite policy determined upon by the Council as to a regular midwinter meeting. This meeting may be expected to become a feature of the work of the Association, but considerable difficulty has been experienced in finding a time that would appear to be convenient. It is probable that there will be a meeting called previous to the regular annual date of the Thursday following the third Wednesday in June. Meanwhile, the Recording Secretary will be glad to hear from those having papers to offer. When the time and place of meeting are determined, due notice will be given the members.
How to cite:
"AFFAIRS OF THE ASSOCIATION.", Volume 002, Number 3, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, Page 249 - 251. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v002/n3/back_10.html
[Accessed Mon Dec 1 19:21:57 CST 2008]
