Introduction

Every work, from Sinbad the Sailor to a British Classic, has, or ought to have, an Introduction—establishing its propriety and necessity, and explaining in some good degree its nature and design, particular and general. It is a point about which there is a kind of joyous public expectation, necessary to gratify and indulge, dangerous to disappoint, lest the omission materially injure the work itself. Generally speaking, the world is not over friendly to any one in particular, and we may safely mark it down, in deep black lines, as hostile to and careless of our acquaintance. When we address it, therefore, for our own or the benefit of others, common courtesy would seem to demand that we speak to it in the kindest terms, pat it on the head as we would a vicious and untamed animal, tell who we are, what we want and are in quest of, and what favors we expect of it. The public, like a private gentleman, expects a letter of introduction, before it will make our acquaintance and regard us kindly. Indeed, you might as soon expect to see a man during a clear day without his shadow, or Don Quixote appear publicly in the streets without being preceded by his Esquire Sancho, as to see a grave and learned work on Etymology, and the historical reasons for names, thrown carelessly upon the public notice without a well digested and befitting Introduction.— The omission would prove a careless disregard of popular favor, sentiment, and expectation. To this all important department, as it concerns the future welfare of our Paper, we now proceed; and when manipulated to our satisfaction, will adventure upon the more laborious and difficult task of executing the work itself. It is said that investigation begets a thirst for investigation, and that we are happily so constituted that labor makes labor more pleasant and agreeable. The truth of this principle we will endeavor to establish, or prove ha antiquated fallacy, by a reasonable devotion of our time and labor.

We have heard the sentiment advanced and advocated, that it requires more tact and mental effort to write an Introduction, than the work. Not knowing its truth by actual experience, we neither affirm nor deny it. We know that nothing is more common in the literary world, into which we now seek admission, than for one individual to write the book, and another greater man, and more favorably known to the reading public, to write the Introduction. Unquestionably there are some advantages in this: the work is the joint production of two authors, whose aggregate knowledge is greater than that of either, and the Introduction precedes the main body of the matter discussed, like a well-trained band of music, at the head of an army of reserve. No doubt an Introduction, if executed with skill and judgment, and not too lavish in promises, furnishes not only a pleasant foretaste of the contents, but helps most marvelously to get up a sharp appetite to relish and devour the delicious food, so confidently assured and temptingly set forth. We speak in general terms, without allusion to any particular case, much less to the contents of our present paper; for we intend to write both the introduction and the work, and to execute them equally well. In this our first effort for public favor, we are too verdant in literary imposition to hook our work on to another man’s introduction, as a boy ties a tail on his kite to balance it, and gain temporary influence; and therefore in due time, here publicly protest and insist, not for the purpose of influencing the judgment of any reader, or winning one golden opinion, that the whole work will be so identical and unique, as to preclude the idea of a possible joint authorship.

The learning and discoveries of other men are but common pebbles which thickly strew the path of every investigation, many of which are worn smooth by the frequent manipulations and re-settings of inferior authors; but that which is made or discovered by ourselves is the true diamond—the priceless jewel of literary fame—to find and secure which ought to be the aim of every one. Borne, then, upward and onward, by the difficulties and exciting nature of the subject, and cheered by the free and gracious approval of co-laborers around us, we leave these general topics of remark, and call attention to those particular subjects, in which more immediately lie the interest and vitality of our paper.

Every person is under high obligation to regard and care for his own character and reputation, and be ready at all times to justify and defend them. Accordingly, lest any unwarrantable inference be drawn from the contents of this paper, injurious to the character of the writer, we protest in advance that heretofore we have not been in the habit of slandering any one, nor calling things out of their proper names, nor even of speculating too freely upon them, whether good or bad, pleasant or disagreeable, common or peculiar. Yet, as every new position in society places us in a crisis of some kind, and brings with it new duties, offices and responsibilities, which not unfrequently educe, and by necessity rather than election, exhibit new capabilities and traits of character, we are compelled tonight, at the hazard of being deemed mendacious, intrusive, impertinent, perhaps personal, to call all kinds of hard, soft and queer names, whether they be Saxon, Dutch, Irish, English, French, Indian or American, single or compound. In some cases, where names do not rest on such broad and legitimate basis, and are drawn from less approved and warrantable sources, perhaps creatures only of fancy, of the most lively and luxuriant character, we may be compelled from the, nature of the case, and our present undertaking, to challenge them and question their propriety. On the other hand, when found natural, easy and appropriate, we shall not withhold the meed of approbation. Our motto is—give praise where it is due, and set down nothing with a malicious motive.

All this we should never have thought of doing, especially we should not have been compelled to do, nor even submitted to such a dangerous task of doubtful character, if we had not been elected a member of this hunting, fishing, Paul Pry Association of busy bodies, who deem nothing too sanctified by time or popular approbation to escape their inquisitive and intermeddling judgment. But such is the danger and responsibility of station, and we assume to discharge it in its most personal character.

673rd

Table of Contents Introduction Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Orange County AHGP/ALHN New York AHGP/ALHN AHGP ALHN	History of Orange County
	Introduction Every work, from Sinbad the Sailor to a British Classic, has, or ought to have, an Introduction—establishing its propriety and necessity, and explaining in some good degree its nature and design, particular and general. It is a point about which there is a kind of joyous public expectation, necessary to gratify and indulge, dangerous to disappoint, lest the omission materially injure the work itself. Generally speaking, the world is not over friendly to any one in particular, and we may safely mark it down, in deep black lines, as hostile to and careless of our acquaintance. When we address it, therefore, for our own or the benefit of others, common courtesy would seem to demand that we speak to it in the kindest terms, pat it on the head as we would a vicious and untamed animal, tell who we are, what we want and are in quest of, and what favors we expect of it. The public, like a private gentleman, expects a letter of introduction, before it will make our acquaintance and regard us kindly. Indeed, you might as soon expect to see a man during a clear day without his shadow, or Don Quixote appear publicly in the streets without being preceded by his Esquire Sancho, as to see a grave and learned work on Etymology, and the historical reasons for names, thrown carelessly upon the public notice without a well digested and befitting Introduction.— The omission would prove a careless disregard of popular favor, sentiment, and expectation. To this all important department, as it concerns the future welfare of our Paper, we now proceed; and when manipulated to our satisfaction, will adventure upon the more laborious and difficult task of executing the work itself. It is said that investigation begets a thirst for investigation, and that we are happily so constituted that labor makes labor more pleasant and agreeable. The truth of this principle we will endeavor to establish, or prove ha antiquated fallacy, by a reasonable devotion of our time and labor. We have heard the sentiment advanced and advocated, that it requires more tact and mental effort to write an Introduction, than the work. Not knowing its truth by actual experience, we neither affirm nor deny it. We know that nothing is more common in the literary world, into which we now seek admission, than for one individual to write the book, and another greater man, and more favorably known to the reading public, to write the Introduction. Unquestionably there are some advantages in this: the work is the joint production of two authors, whose aggregate knowledge is greater than that of either, and the Introduction precedes the main body of the matter discussed, like a well-trained band of music, at the head of an army of reserve. No doubt an Introduction, if executed with skill and judgment, and not too lavish in promises, furnishes not only a pleasant foretaste of the contents, but helps most marvelously to get up a sharp appetite to relish and devour the delicious food, so confidently assured and temptingly set forth. We speak in general terms, without allusion to any particular case, much less to the contents of our present paper; for we intend to write both the introduction and the work, and to execute them equally well. In this our first effort for public favor, we are too verdant in literary imposition to hook our work on to another man’s introduction, as a boy ties a tail on his kite to balance it, and gain temporary influence; and therefore in due time, here publicly protest and insist, not for the purpose of influencing the judgment of any reader, or winning one golden opinion, that the whole work will be so identical and unique, as to preclude the idea of a possible joint authorship. The learning and discoveries of other men are but common pebbles which thickly strew the path of every investigation, many of which are worn smooth by the frequent manipulations and re-settings of inferior authors; but that which is made or discovered by ourselves is the true diamond—the priceless jewel of literary fame—to find and secure which ought to be the aim of every one. Borne, then, upward and onward, by the difficulties and exciting nature of the subject, and cheered by the free and gracious approval of co-laborers around us, we leave these general topics of remark, and call attention to those particular subjects, in which more immediately lie the interest and vitality of our paper. Every person is under high obligation to regard and care for his own character and reputation, and be ready at all times to justify and defend them. Accordingly, lest any unwarrantable inference be drawn from the contents of this paper, injurious to the character of the writer, we protest in advance that heretofore we have not been in the habit of slandering any one, nor calling things out of their proper names, nor even of speculating too freely upon them, whether good or bad, pleasant or disagreeable, common or peculiar. Yet, as every new position in society places us in a crisis of some kind, and brings with it new duties, offices and responsibilities, which not unfrequently educe, and by necessity rather than election, exhibit new capabilities and traits of character, we are compelled tonight, at the hazard of being deemed mendacious, intrusive, impertinent, perhaps personal, to call all kinds of hard, soft and queer names, whether they be Saxon, Dutch, Irish, English, French, Indian or American, single or compound. In some cases, where names do not rest on such broad and legitimate basis, and are drawn from less approved and warrantable sources, perhaps creatures only of fancy, of the most lively and luxuriant character, we may be compelled from the, nature of the case, and our present undertaking, to challenge them and question their propriety. On the other hand, when found natural, easy and appropriate, we shall not withhold the meed of approbation. Our motto is—give praise where it is due, and set down nothing with a malicious motive. All this we should never have thought of doing, especially we should not have been compelled to do, nor even submitted to such a dangerous task of doubtful character, if we had not been elected a member of this hunting, fishing, Paul Pry Association of busy bodies, who deem nothing too sanctified by time or popular approbation to escape their inquisitive and intermeddling judgment. But such is the danger and responsibility of station, and we assume to discharge it in its most personal character. 673rd