NOTES AND FRAGMENTS.

Texas Stone Laid in Sloat Monument.—On Saturday last [December 9, 1905], occurred one of the most interesting events connected with the Sloat monument, in the presentation to Captain Lambert as custodian of the Sloat Monument Association to that association of a beautiful granite stone by Comrade William H. Hilton, as representative of the president, officers and comrades of the Texas Association of Veterans of the Mexican War. The stone now crowns the southwest corner of the base of this, the first national monument of the Pacific coast. The stone was laid with the solemn rites of the Masonic order, and in the cement was mixed the sacred blood-sprinkled soil of the battlefields of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Fort Brown, sent by patriotic citizens of Texas at request of Comrade Hilton, who was in these battles. The soil from Palo Alto was sent by J. D. Serivner, of Brownsville, and was taken from the spot where the famous charge was made by the Mexican cavalry on Duncan's battery, and was repulsed. The soil from Resaca de la Palma is from the location of Ringgold's battery, commanded by Lieutenant Ridgely, when he told Captain May, “Wait, Charley, until I draw their fire,” and immediately upon the discharge of the Mexican battery May charged across the ditch, and the battle was practically gained by the Americans. . . . . This soil was sent by J. B. Sharpe, postmaster of Brownsville. The soil from Fort Brown was sent by James K. Powers, of Brownsville, Texas, and was taken from the spot where Major Brown fell while directing the sighting of one of the guns on Matamoras. Mr. Powers is the son of James H. Powers of Company H, 16th Infantry, commanded by Captain Smith. He was at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, and under General Scott to the City of Mexico. He emigrated to California in 1850, and died at Sutter's Fort in 1853. James K. Brown sent his kindliest greetings to the veterans in California, some of whom may have been his father's companions-in-arms.

Comrade Hilton was appointed a committee of one to try and get a stone presented by Texas to the monument, and after considerable correspondence with many parties finally succeeded, aided by Comrade J. W. Kennedy, of Cleburne, Texas, who had a resolution passed by the Texas Association of Veterans of the Mexican War, who agreed to send a stone and pay for it out of the funds of the association, passed at Dallas, Texas, May 24. Credit is due Mrs. Murdock, secretary, and to the patriotic efforts of the ladies of Texas.

All honor to all who aided in the patriotic work. The stone left Texas November 3 and arrived at Monterey December 1, and was taken care of by Captain Lambert, custodian of the executive committee of the Sloat Monument, representing Comrade Hilton until he could deliver it to the Sloat Monument Association. On December 9 the stone was laid with the solemn rites of the Masonic order, and as Comrade Hilton stated in his presentation speech, “May He who doeth all things well preserve this, the first national monument on this coast for all time for the patriotic purposes for which it was designed.”

There was a strange connecting link with the past in the presence of two brass guns at Fort Mervine, immediately adjacent to the monument. These two guns belonged to the lamented Major Ringgold's Battery of Light Artillery at Palo Alto; also were at Resaca de la Palma, commanded by Lieutenant Ridgely in battles fought on Texas soil May 8 and 9, 1846. They were also at Monterey, Mexico, September 21-23, 1846, and at Buena Vista, in Captain Braxton Braggs' Battery February 22-23, 1847, and saved the day to the American army when General Taylor gave the command, “A little more grape, Captain Bragg!”

After the laying of the stones the Ladies of the Grand Army decorated the two guns with wreaths, and Comrade Hilton was called upon to make an address. He gave a concise history of the guns, as related above. At Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Fort Brown he was in Captain Sam Walker's Company of Texas Rangers, attached to gallant May's Dragoons, to aid in protecting the battery of guns, and saw the lamented Ringgold get his death wound; and at Resaca de la Palma heard Lieutenant Ridgely tell Captain May, “Wait, Charley, till I draw their fire,” and then Captain May's Dragoons and Captain Sam Walker's Texas Rangers charged across the lagoon and captured the Mexican battery. A Texas Ranger captured General Vega. He rode up to him, and saying: “Surrender! I don't want to shoot you!” pointing his revolver at him. The general gave up his sword. He was then taken and surrendered to General Taylor. General Vega would not give his parole, and was sent to New Orleans a prisoner of war. He presented his spurs and bridle to the Ranger who captured him. An incident is connected with this. The Ranger afterwards found his revolver did not have a load in it when he demanded General Vega to surrender. In the excitement of the battle he had fired every shot.

He stated that at Monterey Lieutenant Ridgely was thrown from an unruly horse and his neck was broken. The battery of the then four guns and two howitzers passed to the command of Captain Braxton Bragg, who did such splendid service at Buena Vista. He also stated that Captain Sam Walker's company was disbanded at Monterey, their six months' term of service ending. He then joined Captain Ben McCullough's company in the famous Jack Hays Regiment, and lost sight of the guns when that regiment was transferred to Vera Cruz and the City of Mexico route, where they did such effectual service in keeping the road free from guerrillas. —Monterey [California] Express, December 11, 1905.

The acquisition by the University of California of the noted Bancroft Library is a matter of great importance to the study of American history. Formerly this collection was practically inaccessible, but now, as soon as the university can make proper arrangements, it will be put in charge of a competent librarian, and opened to the use of students. This library, which cost the present owners only $150,000, is the richest storehouse in existence on the history of the Pacific coast of North America. It was collected by Mr. Bancroft at the sacrifice of a lifetime's tireless work and a magnificent fortune. Its possession by the University of California will enable that institution to take a leading place in the development of historical study. A highly interesting report of the contents and value of the library, made by Dr. Reuben Gold Thwaites, who appraised it for the purchasers, is printed in the California University Chronicle for December, 1905. In disposing of this library Mr. Bancroft has set a praiseworthy example of public spiritedness. Dr. Thwaites valued the collection at $300,000, and Mr. Bancroft has always held it at $250,000, but he sold it to the University for $150,000, with the distinct understanding that the difference, $100,000, is to be considered as a gift.

Letters recently received by Professors Garrison and Bolton from Professor Jameson, director of the Department of Historical Research of the Carnegie Institution, bring news to the effect that the Department is at last ready to undertake the examination and description of the Mexican archives, and that Professor Bolton has been appointed to take charge of the work. In the summer of 1900 Professor Garrison and Miss Casis went to the City of Mexico, where they spent several weeks in copying important documents in the Archivo General. Since that time the work has been continued by Misses Casis, Rather, and Austin (now Mrs. Hatcher), and Drs. Bolton and R. C. Clark. Dr. Bolton has spent three summers in the Archivo General, and has published in the Quarterly portions of the results of his research. Meanwhile Professor Garrison has been endeavoring to get the Carnegie Institution or the Congressional Library to assist in the enterprise, and the Institution has finally decided to take it up. Being now no longer dependent on private energy and means, and proceeding under competent management, the work will doubtless go forward rapidly and satisfactorily. Reports on other foreign archives similar to that which Dr. Bolton is to make on those of Mexico are being prepared for the Carnegie Institution. That on England has been assigned to Professor C. M. Andrews, of Bryn Mawr College; that on Spain to Professor W. R. Shepherd, of Columbia University, and that on Cuba to Mr. Luis M. Pérez.