Vice-President Spofford, in an informal talk, brought out many of the personal traits of the man, Washington, and complimented the Society on the good work they had done in the field of authentic history.

President Kasson then introduced the subject of changing the date of the Presidential Inauguration. The resulting discusssion was participated in by Messrs. John Joy Edson, J. J. Hemphill, A. R. Spofford and M. I. Weller.

Vice-President Spofford moved a vote of thanks to our absent host, seconded by Mr. Davis and unanimously carried. The remainder of the time was given to the luncheon and to pleasant conversation.

TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE RECORDING SECRETARY, 1905.

To the President and Members of the Columbia Historical Society:

The Recording Secretary submits this, the Twelfth Annual Report, beginning with the 77th meeting, January 9, 1905, and ending with the 83rd meeting on December 11, of the same year..

The Secretary's mailing list shows 8 resignations, 5 deaths and 10 new members during the year, making a total of 271 names carried on the Society's list of members.

The Board of Managers has held 9 meetings, at which the average attendance has been 10. The Society has held 7 meetings in the Banquet Hall of the Hotel Shoreham, at which the average attendance has been 71, a much better showing than last year, when the average was but 55. Seven historical communications were made to the Society and its guests and 33 persons discussed the different subjects presented.

A new feature in volume 9 of The Records, published this year, is the addition of three interesting reprints of scarce and early pamphlets concerning the District of Columbia. One of these reprints is enriched by the half-tone reproduction of a miniature likeness of Tobias Lear, Secretary to George Washington.

On the 22nd of February, the Society was entertained at a luncheon given at the Shoreham by Vice-President Hagner to "commemorate the Birthday of the Father of his Country.'

The Board has lost the wise counsels of Professor McGee because of his appointment as Director of the Public Museum in St. Louis. He is a charter member and has been one of the managers in its Governing Board ever since its organization. But though compelled to sever his connection with the Board,

Professor McGee retains his membership and interest in the Society.

The Corresponding Secretary, Mr. M. I. Weller, reports that all letters have been promptly answered and information furnished whenever requested, though often involving many hours of patient research.

Faithfully,

January 8, 1906.

MARY STEVENS BEALL,
Recording Secretary.

TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CURATOR.

To the President and Members of the Columbia Historical Society:

I submit this my twelfth annual report as your Curator. During the year 1905 I received and remitted to the Treasurer $29.50 derived from the sale of our publications, being two copies of Volume I., three copies of Volume II., two copies of Volume III., two copies of Volume IV. and three copies of Volume V. I sent to a member a copy of Volume V. and also of Volume VI., it being shown that he was entitled to them. I sent to another member brochures Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 7 of Volume I., he also being entitled to them.

Following is a list of the Society's acquisitions during the year by gift and exchange:

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTANA. Vol. V., 1904. In exchange with the Society.

GUIDE TO THE ARCHIVES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE U. S. IN WASHINGTON. Publication No. 14. Presented by the

Carnegie Institution.

WISCONSIN STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLLECTIONS. III. Presented by the Society.

Vol.

INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE AFFAIRS OF D. OF C. UNDER THEIR ADMINISTRATION BY GOV. SHEPHERD. 4 vols. Presented by Mr. E. Francis Riggs.

SOUVENIRS OF THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. (8 pieces.) Presented by Miss Cordelia Jackson.

LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE D. OF C. (25 pieces.) Presented by Mr. Harry Barton.

PEN PORTRAIT OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT, and a large number of newspapers relating to his inauguration. Presented by Miss Cordelia Jackson.

INAUGURAL MEDAL, 1905, and form of appointment to service in inaugural parade. Presented by Mr. B. H. Warner.