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parlor, invitations being given to all Daughters and their friends, either in writing or through the newspapers, so that all have an opportunity to hear how a Chapter is conducted and to learn American history, while music and recitations enliven the evening. Mrs. John A. Logan's paper on "Spain and Her American Colonies" was especially appreciated. This is its second year and Mrs. Ballinger is the Regent. It has increased in numbers, some of the new members having been brought into the National Society by its efforts.

8. The Elizabeth Jackson was formed shortly before the Cast Continental Congress and will be again represented by Mrs. Wysong as Regent. Its war work was principally in connection with the Hospital Corps, Miss Desha, the untiring Assistant Director of the Corps, being one of the members and the others anxious to help her. Miss Desha has also been the means of saving many Daughters from making mistakes in the Congress by directing a weekly parliamentary class to which she invites us all and for which Mr. Burch always gives the use of a room in the Ebbitt House. The Chapter has begun its efforts to furnish a room at Rocky Hill.

9. A new Chapter, Constitution, was formed in the autumn with Mrs. J. Ellen Foster as Regent. It especially desires to make a study of the Constitution, its relation to the colonial government, the influence of the New England colonies on it, etc., and had valuable papers read on these subjects.

10. The youngest Chapter is America, which has just formed with Mrs. Stocking as Regent. It may seem strange to some that there are so many Chapters in the District, but it should be remembered that when a Daughter wishes to form a Chapter she often helps her friends who do not belong to the Society to trace their lineage and join it. Several of the Chapters have appointed committees in compliance with the recommendation of Mrs. Walworth, chairman of the National University Committee, which was adopted by the last Continental Congress, namely, "To solicit signatures to a petition to the United States Senate for the passage of a bill which is still pending before it." This matter would have commanded more attention if the storm had not prevented so many meetings. The interest and patriotism of the more than

two hundred and sixty members at large in the District was fully proved when there was work to do, but the State Regent regrets that she has not had the pleasure of meeting them as often as if they had belonged to Chapters. One of the pleasures of her office has been the hearty welcome she has received and the attention which has been paid when she spoke of anything in which the National Board desired that they should be interested. The officers have met several times in conference at her house and twice there have been meetings at the Ebbitt House to which all members of the Society were invited through the newspapers. The Conference for the Good of the Order, which has met several times, is called by Miss Desha, as the State Regent was particularly anxious that Daughters from any part of the world should feel that they were expected as much, if not more, than those living in the District.

Respectfully submitted,

MRS. M. C. HASSLER NEWCOMB,
State Regent.

DELAWARE.

Madam President and Members of the Eighth Continental Congress: The State Regent of Delaware has the honor to submit the following report:

The Caesar Rodney Chapter, of Wilmington, has made marked growth in good work and numbers this year, nine new members have been admitted bringing fresh interest and enthusiasm. This Chapter took part in an entertainment last October for the benefit of the Delaware Hospital. The Daughters of the American Revolution booth artistically draped in our own colors was one of the most attractive corners in that beautiful "Temple of Fame," and the sum of $125.00 was realized from the sale of "home-made candy" for that very worthy charity.

Under the direction of its very efficient Regent, Miss Waples, it led in the great work done by our little band of sister Daughters throughout the State for relief of the soldiers

and sailors during the war with Spain, a full report of which has been sent by the Secretary, Miss Ella Turner, to the National Committee. Public meetings were held from May until October every Saturday morning at the room kindly given in the Equitable Guarantee and Trust Company Building. Plans for work there made were carried out at the homes of the various members. Twenty-five dollars went to the National War Fund, besides the six large boxes to Key West, Santiago and Tampa.

Under the auspices of this Chapter a most successful and delightful "War-Song Concert" was given in June at the Opera House for the special benefit of the Delaware volunteers then encamped at Middletown. Some of the enlisted. men appeared in a very effective tableaux which preceded the rendering of "Tenting To-night on the Old CampGround." The proceeds of this concert were used for the maintenance in part of the families of soldiers left in destitute condition.

After the troops returned from Cuba to Montauk the Chapter sent a most valuable box to the surgeon of the Twelfth New York Infantry. In his letter of thanks to the Regent the surgeon said, "No words can tell the good that this timely offering has done; it has saved the lives of many of our men who were suffering and dying for lack of just such nourishing food." It was sent to the regiment as a loving tribute them and fell at the battle of El Caney, Lieutenant Clarke Churchman.

The members of this Chapter had the pleasure of meeting Miss Desha, Founder and Honorary Vice-President General, at a special meeting called in her honor at the home of the Chapter Regent on January 10th. It was an evening of great profit and enjoyment. A warm welcome awaits her when she passes this way again. The Chapter sent $25.00 to the Continental Hall Fund, $5.00 to the Lafayette Monument and $5.00 to the Washington Monument Fund.

The Elizabeth Cook Chapter, of Smyrna, has met regularly on the 10th of every month at "Old Belmont Hall," than which no more fitting setting could be for a body of patriotic women; the enthusiasm in carrying out the objects of the

organization should not wane in that historic environment. The Regent, Mrs. Peterson Speakman, is zealous in her efforts to promote the growth and best interests of the Chapter named for her grandmother, whose work as a revolutionary patriot is so dear to the hearts of all the "Blue Hen's Chickens." This Chapter worked with the others during the summer and sent $10.00 to the relief fund. The outlook is encouraging for increase of membership. Two new members have been added and contributions made as follows: Ten dollars to the Continental Hall Fund; ten dollars to the Prison Ships Fund, and two dollars to the "Meadow Garden Farm" Fund. The Colonel Haslet Chapter, at Dover, has suffered keenly from loss of its members during the past year, three of whom have been transferred to the Quaker City Chapter in Philadelphia, and three others have passed on to higher life. The extraordinary and tragic circumstances connected with the death of the much-beloved Secretary and Historian, Mrs. Deane and Mrs. Demming, had a very depressing effect for the time, but the Regent, Mrs. Elizabeth King Anderson, redoubled her efforts and kept the Chapter up to its high standard. Meetings were held regularly and no good work left undone. When the call came for help from the War Relief Committee the members, with the assistance of a few auxiliaries, entered heartily into the work. Twenty-four dollars in money were contributed and many yards of material made into pajamas and shirts. Three new members were added and there is an earnest spirit pervading the Chapter to "foster a true patriotism and love of country."

The John Pettigrew Chapter, of Milford, does not report great growth this year. On account of serious illness in the family of the Regent, Miss Syrena J. Hall, the regular meetings were for a time suspended, but the members were "up and doing" their part to relieve the sick and suffering soldiers. Boxes of clothing, food and reading matter were sent to Fortress Monroe, also twelve dollars in money to the War Relief Fund.

Respectfully submitted,

ELIZABETH CLARKE CHURCHMAN,
State Regent.

ILLINOIS.

Madam President and Members of the Eighth Continental Congress: The excellent work which has been accomplished by the State of Illinois in past years has surely been equalled during the year 1898. In this State, as in many others, the special work to be recorded is that which has been done with much loyalty for our brave soldiers and sailors during the late war.

It might be imagined that but little would have been done in active aid of our heroes, as the State is situated so far from the coasts, but on the contrary the intensity of patriotic fervor was not exceeded by our historic colonial States. Not only did Illinois give the flower of her youth to the defense of her country, but her women have given without stint of their time and money, and with a spirit of loving patriotism that could not be surpassed.

The War Relief work which was so promptly organized and so efficiently conducted by the Daughters of the American Revolution Hospital Corps in Washington, proved of engrossing interest to most of the Chapters in Illinois, and the urgent appeals she sent over the State and the gathering together the record of what had been done in each Chapter has occupied the State Regent far more than the appointment for new Regents for Chapters. However this part of the work is in, the most encouraging condition also.

The total number of organized Chapters in the State of Illinois is twenty-four; of that number four have been added during the past year, namely, Elgin, Miss Mae Davidson, Regent, twelve members; Dixon, Mrs. Dorothy N. Law, Regent, thirteen members. The Dixon Chapter gave many supplies to the soldiers and sailors and in spite of being newly organized and with a membership of but thirteen, spared from its meagre treasury the sum of two dollars toward the purchase of the Meadow Garden Farm. Fifty-six articles were contributed by this Chapter for the war relief work. Alton, Mrs. Franklin W. Olin, Regent, thirteen members; Geneseo, Mrs. Ella N. Taylor, Regent, eighteen members.

The State Regent has visited, during the past year, Bloomington, Alton, Moline, Rock Island, Springfield and Evans

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