List of officers & Preface to Transactions: 1830

 

[Originally published by the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec in Transactions, Original Series 1, Volume 1 (1829)]

 

LIST OF OFFICERS FOR 1830.

 

PRESIDENT,

THE HONORABLE MR. CHIEF JUSTICE SEWELL.

 

VICE-PRESIDENTS,

ANDREW STUART, Esq. M.P.P.

WILLIAM SHEPPARD, Esq.

HONORABLE SIR JOHN CALDWELL, Bart.

REV. MESSIRE DEMERS

 

RECORDING SECRETARY,

WILLIAM HENDERSON, Esquire.

 

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY,

JONATHAN WURTELE, Esquire, M.P.P.

 

COUNCIL SECRETARY,

WILLIAM LYONS, Esquire, M.D.

 

TREASURER,

ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, Esquire.

 

CHAIRMAN OF CLASSES,

Literature ― JOHN C. FISHER, Esq. L.L.D.

Natural History ― JOSEPH SKEY, Esq. M.D.

Science ― REV. D. WILKIE.

Arts ― G. W. WICKSTEED, Esquire.

 

In committing to the press a second volume of the "TRANSACTIONS OF THE LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF QUEBEC," it seems necessary to state some particulars respecting the origin and progress of the Society, which have not appeared in the first volume. We may thus account for the discrepancy apparently existing between the name adopted by the Society, and its published Transactions, which, with few exceptions, are not devoted to what is strictly considered literary or historical research.

 

It is generally known here, that numerous documents exist in the Public Offices, in the Convents, and in the Possession of Individuals, containing valuable and curious matter, hitherto inedited, respecting the Aborigines and early settlers of Canada. The Karl of Dalhousie, in founding a society in Quebec, in the year 1824, had chiefly in view the collection and arrangement of these papers, from which it was expected that much historical information would be gleaned, and fresh light thrown on the state of society, customs, &c. of the Indians in their primitive state, before they were corrupted by their intercourse with Europeans.-Natural History, and other departments of Science, held only a secondary place in the researches about to be instituted. But either from want of inclination, or sufficient

leisure for such pursuits, or from a difficulty of obtaining the documents referred to, from those in whose possession they are, the Society has not as yet made any considerable progress in these primary objects. Matter however of another, and perhaps not less valuable kind, has been brought forward: and it is hoped that the papers contained in this volume, on the language of a race that is rapidly passing away, and on the productions and capabilities of a country hitherto, in a great measure unknown, will be received with some interest.

 

The former volume of Transactions consisted principally of papers presented to the Literary and Historical Society, between the time of its first foundation, and the year 1829, During this period another society was formed in Quebec, for the promotion of Arts and Sciences in Canada. His Excellency Sir James Kempt, who at this time became the Patron of both societies, and to whom, in their separate and united states, they are indebted for constant and liberal support, suggested the advantage that must accrue by bringing together whatever talent or resources either possessed. Under his auspices an union was subsequently formed between them, and the present volume is the first result of their united efforts.

 

Though the acquisition of information on subjects connected with the Canadas, is a leading object with the present society, that object is not the only one it has in view. Of equal importance, in its estimation, is the endeavour to excite in the rising generation, a taste for scientific knowledge and pursuits, and at the same time to afford facilities for their cultivation. With these views, a grant of £250, supplied by the liberality of the Provincial Parliament, together with a considerable sum from the Society's private funds, has been laid out in the purchase of Books on useful and Scientific subjects, and of Instruments and Materials for Chemical Analysis and experiments, for demonstrations in Natural Philosophy, and for Practical Astronomy. The Mineralogical Cabinet, and the collection of native Botanical, and Geological specimens, which are daily increasing by the kindness of various contributors, will tend much towards forwarding the same purpose. And the Society expects soon to possess sufficient materials to form the subjects of lectures on different sciences, to be delivered either by some of its own members, or by occasional visitants.

 

In accordance with these objects; with the desire of giving publication to matters of general interest, and. at the same time, of exciting those persons, who possess talents and opportunities for observing, to record and transmit the result of their observations, the present volume is submitted to the Canadian reader.

 

Quebec, 30th December, 1830.