Army, presented to him an elegant Order of the Cincinnati, studded with precious stones, about two hundred in number. The leaves of the olive branches and wreath are composed of emeralds, the berries of rubies, and the eagle's beak of amethysts. Above the eagle is a group of military emblems, flags. drums and canhon, surrounding a ribbon, etc. This elegant jewel has been worn by the Presidents General of the Society of the Cincinnati to this day, and was so worn by the brothers, C. C. and Thomas Pinckney, of South Carolina, from 1805 to 1829. 2. A set of French china, presented by the officers of the French Army, to General Washington. It was of a dull white color, with heavy scroll and leaf ornaments in bandeau of deep blue, and having upon the sides of the cups and tureens and in the bottoms of the plates, saucers, and meat dishes, the Order of the Cincinnati, held by fame, personated by a female figure, draped with a trumpet; all painted in delicate color. 3. A set of French china, presented to Mrs. Martha Washington by officers of the French Navy. The ornamentation was more delicate in color than the General's set. The outer edge displays a serpent, with his tail in his mouth, an emblem of endless time. Next is a chain of large and small links; on the larger are the names of fifteen States-Vermont and Kentucky with the 'Old Thirteen.' There is a sun burst in the centre, displaying the monogram, 'M. W.' On a ribbon below is inscribed the motto, 'Deus et tutamen ab ille.' This brings us to a proposed gift to the Daughters of the American Revolution in February next and reference to it will be of public interest. When Mrs. Andrew Pickens, Vice-Regent for South Carolina of the Mount Vernon Association, undertook and successfully completed the beautiful restoration and refurnishing of the dining-room at Mount Vernon, a handsome corner cupboard was secured. She was assisted in all this patriotic work by the then Mayor of Charleston, W. A. Courtenay. An empty corner cupboard, of course, would not do, so after some trouble and delay, a cup, saucer, and plate of the Martha Washington china was secured as a pattern, and an order was sent to Limeges, France, for fifteen sets, to represent the then fifteen States in the Union, so that the cupboard should recall the past. To secure this object, an order for a larger number had to be sent on, Mr. Courtenay securing the surplus. Last summer, the State Regent of South Carolina, visiting ‘Innisfallen,' was attracted by the beautiful and historic china, and solicited a set for the Daughters, there being a cup, saucer, and plate, then unappropriated. It is needless to say, the ex-Mayor surrendered to the ladies, and on New Year's day placed in Mrs. Waring's hands these fac-similies of the Martha Washington china. He has also furnished a golden shield, on which the three pieces are neatly displayed." In this connection, permit me to call attention to the fact, that the presents enumerated herein all came from France, so it does appear to be not only a pleasure but likewise a duty on our part to make some recognition of that country's claim upon our courtesy. Therefore, I, for one, rejoice in the proposed Washington Statue and Lafayette Memorial, to be presented to France in 1900. I have sought to stimulate my Chapters to take a deep interest in them and am assured that they will give generously, according to their means. In concluding this report, Madam President and Daughters of the American Revolution, it only remains for me to offer my heartfelt congratulations for the wonderful work done by our great organization during the past year, and to proffer a hearty Godspeed for the years to come. Respectfully submitted, MALVINA S. WARING, SOUTH DAKOTA. Madam President and Members of the Eighth Continental Congress: The year 1899 brought in nine new members. These members do not mean all the growth of our noble work. It means far more-that interest is growing, that many are seaching for records and are eager to join. That earnest labor is bringing a slow but sure success. This is a difficult field; the scattered and shifting population, meager railroad facilities, all combine to retard our efforts. This winter the grippe has meant to us more than one lion in our path. We entreat our Sister Regents and great and populous States to have patience until we, by one more year's care and watering, find the blossoms from our barren soil. Hundreds of letters have been written to unite the thought of this frontier State on our work, and slowly success is coming. We are greatly encouraged by noble hearts who are interested; but now our last calamity is the illness throughout the country. The State Regent is detained from the Congress, and at this last moment her authorized delegate is also ill and cannot go. It now being too late to appoint another this silent messenger is sent. The determination to succeed even under difficulties must be recorded. That God's blessing be with our beloved Congress and each individual Daughter is the prayer of MRS. ANDREW J. KELLAR, TENNESSEE. Madam President and Members of the Eighth Continental Congress: Tennessee's twelve Chapters desire to extend their loyal greetings, and express their wishes that the present meeting of the Congress may be most successful and harmonious. After an earnest and faithful service of six years, my honored predecessor, Mrs. J. Harvey Mathes, transmitted the work to me in February, 1898, in a flourishing condition, as appears from her excellent report of that date. The Tennessee Centennial Celebration of 1897 gave an impetus to patriotic work in the State; many who were formerly indifferent to the high aims of the Society became enthusiastic workers in our ranks. There was a general awakening of interest in historical subjects among all classes, and especially among the school children, whom it is most desirable to inspire with the heroic spirit of '76. The Tennessee Daughters of the American Revolution contributed liberally last year to the Continental Hall fund; and hoped this year to have some suitable monuments erected over the neglected graves of revolutionary soldiers who lie buried in many of our cemeteries, a work in which other States have accomplished so much. The war, however, turned our thoughts and energies into other channels of vital importance, and most effectively did the Daughters labor for the sick and suffering among the soldiers. Liberal contributions were gladly made for them. A detailed report of that work by Tennessee Chapters was sent in December to the War Committee of the National Board, which, doubtless, will be published in the Magazine of our Society. Suffice it to say, the Chickamauga Chapter, at Chattanooga, Mrs. H. G. Chamberlain, Regent, accomplished a great work during the occupation of camps at Chickamauga Park. Other Chapters which did effective work for the soldiers were the Watauga, at Memphis, Mrs. Clarence Seldon, Regent; Bonny Kate, Knoxville, Miss Ella Hunt, Regent; Campbell, Nashville, Mrs. Eugene C. Lewis, Regent; Cumberland, Nashville, Mrs. George W. Fall, Regent; Hermitage, Memphis, Mrs. Calvin Perkins, Regent ; Margaret Gaston, Lebanon, Mrs. B. J. Tarver, Regent; Count Pulaski Chapter, Pulaski, Mrs. John S. Wilkes, Regent; Old Glory, Franklin, Miss Susie Gentry, Regent; Shelby, Shelbyville, Mrs. Phillip Scudder, Regent; Jane Knox, Columbia, Mrs. William Morgan, Regent. Some of the above Chapters did not contribute to the War Fund, but gave aid and comfort, in many acceptable ways, to the sick and wounded soldiers in the hospitals in different parts of the country. Commodore Perry Chapter, a new one now being organized in Memphis, by Mrs. Charles M. Bryan, bids fair to be a great help to the Society in the western portion of the State, Memphis already having two large, well organized Chapters. Clarksville, Hartsville, Murfreesboro, Cleveland, Harriman, and McMinnville all hope to report organized Chapters by the next Congress. Many of our Chapters are making a systematic study of the early history of the United States, some beginning with the History of England, and making a thorough study of that before taking up the History of the Colonies in America. One Chapter is placing the portraits of the Heroes of '76 in one of the largest public schools in Nashville, and as far as possible will place the picture of the wife of each with that of her husband. Some of our Chapters have contributed to the fund for the purchase of the Meadow Garden Farm, in Georgia, the home of George Walton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. All are interested in the erection of the Washington and Lafayette Monuments in Paris next year, and are now raising funds for that purpose. The founding of a great National University at Washington is an idea that is dear to the Daughters in Tennessee, and they hope to be able to assist in carrying out this great conception of General Washington. Indeed, the Tennessee Daughters of the American Revolution are recognized as presenting the truest idea of Christian patriotism, well organized for the work, and when our Country calls we will respond; our lives and treasure are consecrated to patriotic labor. We hope to increase and extend our work in the good cause as the years advance, rearing those who shall wisely and nobly guide and defend our beloved Republic in its onward and upward course through a future so full of different, momentous problems and glorious possibilities. Respectfully submitted, MARGARET CAMPBELL PILCher, TEXAS. Madam President and Members of the Eighth Continental Congress: I have the honor to report a year of progress in Texas. Two new Chapters have been organized, each with fourteen members, the one in Fort Worth, the other in Austin. Both give promise of activity and usefulness. Mrs. Elizabeth D. Bell, of Fort Worth, is Regent of the Mary Isham Keith Chapter, and Mrs. Ira H. Evans presides over the Austin Chapter (not yet named). We believe that this Chapter, located in the Capital City of Texas, under the enlightened and efficient management of its Regent and her corps of able assistants, will do much to promote the prosperity of the Order in this great State. It proposes the concentration of all scattered |