Miss Swinburne, regent of William Ellery Chapter, D. A. R., and I are very desirous of rousing among the patriotic societies a sufficient interest to save this well-preserved relic of Revolutionary days. It seems a peculiarly fitting season to begin the agitation, and I hope that some of the speakers on Wednesday, both at the celebration by your own Historical Society and also at the meeting of the Sons of the Revolution on the same day, may feel inclined to call attention to this subject. I talked with Mr. Tilley[2] yesterday and found him as kindly disposed to help as I could desire, and he has promised to add his word in support of my request whenever he may chance to see you. I can answer for my own Gaspee Chapter, D. A. R., if our assistance is needed, but with such influence as you could wield, coöperating with the S. A. R and S. R. of the state, I feel very hopeful of success in our patriotic project. I do not feel as if I had at all adequately presented my case, but it is very hard to condense all that might be said on such a subject into the limits of a reasonable note. I hope you will recognize my endeavor to save your valuable time, and read into my words an enthusiastic interest which I have not expressed. Very sincerely yours, MARGARET B. F. LIPPITT,[3] _Regent, Gaspee Chapter, D. A. R._ NEWPORT, R. I., August twenty-sixth. The following letter on the same topic as the foregoing was received by Mayor Boyle of Newport, state vice-president of our Society for Rhode Island: [Illustration: DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION] DEAR SIR: At the meeting of the Irish patriotic society to be held on August twenty-ninth, to celebrate the battle of Rhode Island, would it be possible to bring up the subject of the old fortifications on Butts Hill and call attention to the danger which threatens them, namely, their destruction? Few such spots remain on this island, and is it not the duty as well as privilege of all loyal patriots to help preserve such spots where our forefathers so hardly fought and whose names we honor and revere? I hope this may receive your support and that you will consider it of sufficient importance to bring before your society. Yours very truly, SUSAN P. SWINBURNE, _Regent, William Ellery Chapter, D. A. R._ August twenty-eight, 245 Broadway, Newport, R. I. Butts Hill, to which Mrs. Lippitt and Miss Swinburne refer, is in Portsmouth, R. I. The fortifications alluded to were constructed by Gen. John Sullivan in 1778, in connection with the siege of Newport and the subsequent battle on Rhode Island.