HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U. S.,

WASHINGTON, D. C., March 1, 1888. William G. Way, Esq., Secretary, Marietta, O.:

DEAR SIR-The kind invitation to attend the Centennial celebration of the first settlement of Ohio and the Northwest Territory is received. Distance and press of business precludes my acceptance. However, I should delight to join in a celebration commemorative of an event fraught with such consequences in the history and development of this country, and that laid the foundation for the achievements, greatness, importance and possibilities that cluster around this favored portion of our favored nation. Accept my thanks and regrets.

Yours very truly,

WALTER I. HAYES.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS,
WASHINGTON, March 22, 1888.

Mr. William G. Way, Secretary, etc.:

I have been honored by your invitation to be present at the celebration of the Centenary of the first settlement of the Northwest Territory at Marietta. While prevented by pressing daily labors here from participating in this most interesting historical commemoration, you have my earnest wishes for the success of the laudable endeavor to do honor to the patriotic men who first planted civilisation in the Ohio wilderness a hundred years ago.

Very respectfully,

A. R. SPOFFord.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

BOSTON, March 19, 1888.

Professor Israel W. Andrews, Marietta, O.:

DEAR SIR-I have the pleasure of informing you that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will be represented at the Centennial celebration in your city on the 7th proximo by Hon. George B. Loring of Salem, Professor

Frederick W. Putnam of Cambridge, Rev. E. E. Hale,
D.D., of this city, and Rev. Temple Cutler of Essex.
Regretting that I shall not be able to be with you, but
feeling glad that the State is to be so well represented,
I am yours very respectfully,

OLIVER AMES.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., March 24, 1888.

William G. Way, Esq.:

Permit me to acknowledge, through you, the Secretary, the invitation to Mrs. Hawkes and myself to attend "the Centennial of the first settlement of Ohio and the Northwest Territory," which will be on the 6th, 7th and 8th of April.

Such an observance is a most worthy one. It appeals to the lofty sentiment of patriotism in us, and to our veneration for the noble and wise men who, under the Ordinance of 1787, not only settled at Marietta, but also laid the foundation of great States.

I am sure that the event will be fitly commemorated. Of this we have assurance, both in the interest taken in it by the people of Marietta and its vicinity, and the societies that have united in its commemoration, and also in the ability of the distinguished gentlemen who will be the principal speakers.

We greatly regret that we cannot accept the invitation to be present. The many years of our residence in Marietta, the affection we have for the people and institutions, and our sincere sympathy with the spirit that has prompted the observance, and the ends it is intended to promote thereby, impel us to be with you. But engagements and duties that cannot be put aside forbid it.

We shall rejoice in the tidings of a celebration which will, undoubtedly, be befitting and successful.

With sincere esteem, yours truly,

T. H. HAWKS.

BOSTON, March 8, 1888.

To Messrs. Douglas Putnam, Israel W. Andrews and Wm. G. Way, Marietta, Ohio.

DEAR SIRS:-I beg to present to the Committee of Arrangements my acknowledgements of their exceeding favor in extending to me an invitation to attend, at Marietta, Ohio, on the 6th, 7th and 8th proximo, the Centennial celebration of the first settlement of Ohio and the Northwest Territory, under the auspices of the Ohio Archæological and Historical Society and the Washington County Pioneer Association.

The occasion can not fail to be of great interest, and I regret that my engagements here are such as will make it impossible for me to be present. My paternal grandfather, Col. David Cobb, whose compatriots in arms settled Marietta, in 1788, was, I believe, interested personally in that enterprise.

I can not doubt the coming celebration will be one worthy of the important event to be commemorated, as well as a fitting testimonial to the memories of the brave men who left the East to establish for themselves a new home in the then far West.

I thank you sincerely for your kind remembrance of me at this time. I am, gentlemen, with much respect,

Your Obedient Servant,

SAMUEL C. COBB.

In addition to the foregoing many letters and notes were received from those who had been specially invited, regretting inability to be present. Among others in the possession of the Committee are letters from Mr. Justice. Blatchford, of the United States Supreme Court, Hon. Chas. S. Fairchild, Secretary of the Treasury, Hon. W. C. Whitney, Secretary of the Navy, Lieutenant-General P. H. Sheridan, Senators J. D. Cameron, Jonathan Chace, John H. Mitchell, J. R. McPherson, Hon. Henry H. Bingham, of Pennsylvania, Dr. James B. Angell, Major General

D. C. Buell, Hon. J. S. Robinson, Secretary of State of Ohio, Rev. A. P. Putnam, of Concord, Massachusetts, General J. D. Cox, S. R. Reed and E. R. Montfort, of Cincinnati.

RELIC DEPARTMENT OF THE CENTENNIAL.

ONE of the interesting and attractive features of the celebration was the display of historical relics. It was a matter of great regret to the Committee that a list and catalogue of the articles, with the names of owners and exhibitors could not be prepared before the celebration.

The following is a complete list of articles displayed. The value of the list would be greatly enhanced could the name of the owner of each of the articles be given, but this is impossible.

PIONEER DEPARTMENT.