Seventeenth Century Tracts, Strongly Reminiscent of Harvard in Its Infancy, Put on Display in Treasure Room

Yesterday four Seventeenth Century tracts, strongly reminiscent of Harvard College in its infancy were put on display in the Treasure Room of Widener Library in the "Early College History" collection. Each of the valuable time worn little volumes is either wholly or partly the work of George Downing of the class of 1642, the first graduating class Harvard College turned out Downing himself was the second oldest graduate of his class, Benjamin Wood bridge being the senior member of the class of 1642.

Downing however, was destined to be the most distinguished member of his class. Having gone to England after his graduation he was knighted in 1660, and made a baronet in 1663. These marks of distinction were the results of his valuable work in Scotland and his services as the Ambassador to the Netherlands under Cromwell and Charles II and Member of Parliament. Dying in 1684, George Downing has left numerous collections of poems and letters, which are flavored not only by his own characteristics but also by the atmosphere of the times in which he lived.

In the Treasure Room one may see the Latin poem written by Downing at the time of his marriage, "In Nuptias Blri were Honoratifsimi Georgil Downing... Campo exploratoris Generaliffimi." Equally interesting is the tract, "Reply of Sir George Downing Knight and Baronet Extraordinary from His Majesty of Great Britain to the Remarks of the Deputies of the Estates General upon his Memorial of December 20, 1664, Old Stile." This was printed in London "Anno Dom 1665."

An extract from a letter of Downing in the tract, "A Great Victory God hath Vouchsafed by the Lord General Cromwels Forces against the Scots", is illuminating. "Col: Scot, or Petty Scot isflaine and Col: Buchanan (a man of great eminence and estate among them is taken prifoner as also is Sir John Brown their Commander in chief: Of their foot not 200 escaped and those that are prifoners the most of them are desperately wounded they will hardly live; all their foot Colors are taken and many of their harfe the most of their foot are High landers the reft of their Army are in a mighty confusion and retreated over Sterling; were left only one Corner and I think not more my paper will hold no more the Lord be praised for this: I am Sir, Your Honors G. Downing."

The fourth tract is "A Discourse Written by Sir George Downing, The King of Great Britain's Envoy Extraordinary to the States of the United Provinces Vindicating his Royal Matter from the Infolencies of a Scandalous Libel."