Letter of Transmission. v

This period has received careful study by Professor St. G. L. Sioussat, of
Brown University, whose monograph in The Johns Hopkins University Studies
for 1903 (vol. 21) entitled "Economics and Politics in Maryland 1720-1750,
and the Public Services of Daniel Dulany the Elder," should be read by every
student of the period.

Our purpose in preparing this volume has been that described by Wordsworth,
when writing to Scott (Lockhart's Life of Scott, II 218): "A correct text
is the first object of an editor, then such notes as explain difficult or obscure
passages; and, lastly, which is much less important, notes pointing out authors
to whom the writer has been indebted,—not in the fiddling way of phrase here
and phrase there (which is detestable as a general practice); but where he has
had essential obligations, either as to matter or manner."

We have held before us, as an example, the diligence of James Boswell, who
wrote, in his enthusiasm for truth: " I have sometimes been obliged, to run
half over London, in order to fix a date correctly: which, when I had
accomplished, I well knew would obtain me no praise, though a failure would
have been to my discredit." (Hill's Boswell's Johnson I, p. 7.)

In Volume 38, at page 288, the naturalization act of Gustavus Hesselius
was printed. He was too distinguished a person to have been passed over
without a word in the preface. Born in Sweden in 1682, he came to the United
States in 1711, and was the earliest organ-builder and painter of repute in
British North America. (Sketches of him will be found in 29 Pa. Mag. 130
and 26 N. E. Mag. 30.) In 1719, he removed to Prince George's County. In
1720, the vestry of St. Barnabas' Parish in that country engaged him to paint
the church, and to paint an altar piece and communion table, and to write such
sentences of Scripture as shall be thought proper thereon. Rev. Jacob
Henderson was the Rector. On September 5, 1721, the vestry gave him
what has been termed the " first commission on record for a work of art for a
public building in America," viz: to " draw the History of our Blessed Saviour
and the Twelve Apostles at the last supper, the institution of the Blessed
Sacrament of His body and blood, proportioned to the space over the altar
piece, to find the cloth and all other necessaries for the same (the frame and
gold leaf excepted, which Mr. Henderson engages to procure and bestow on the
Church)." Mr. Hesselius to paint the frame, for all which the vestry is to
pay him when finished, £17 current money, and Mr. Henderson further engages
to have it fixed up over the Altar at his own cost. " This painting was made,
and, four years later, Mr. Hesselius painted the " altar and the rails of the
Communion Table." Charles Henry Hart wrote " that more than seven years,
prior to the arrival in this country of John Smibert, who is commonly regarded