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which in this respect is so ably represented in part
by Dr。 Charles A。 Crampton of Washington； D。 C。
Mr。 Swan in his reports to the legislature of his
state for the last twelve years； deals with the subject
of the constitution of 〃permanent inks〃 so thoroughly；
and with it affords information of so practical
and useful a character； that the fullest references to
them prove both instructive and interesting。 In his
report of 1891 he remarks：
〃Upon commencing an examination of the records
in various places； I was impressed with the
great importance of the use of inks which should
be permanent； and the necessity of an investigation
which might prevent the further use of inks that
for one reason or another were unfit for use upon
records。 I found that； as a rule； the inks upon
the most ancient records had preserved their color；
many undoubtedly being blacker than when used；
but that the later records lost the jet…black appearance
of the older。 This； it is true； is not wholly
due to the change of inks； for the use of quills；
the soft surface of the old paper； the absence of
blotting paper and the greater time spent in writing；
were all conducive to a heavier deposit of ink；
but evidence is ample that in comparatively recent
years inks of poor quality came in use。 Proof of
this is given by an examination of the records in
the state house。 Up to about 1850 it was the custom
in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
to use for engrossing the acts； inks made
of a powder which was mixed in the office； and
until that time the acts which are engrossed upon
parchment show； with but few exceptions； no signs
of fading。 From 1850 for several years the writing
in many cases is becoming indistinct； that upon an
act in 1851； and upon two in 1855； having nearly
disappeared。 Since 1860； acts showing different
intensity of color are found； but whether this is
their original color or not cannot be determined。
That the fading can be attributed to the parchment；
as some claim； is disproved by the fact that
of the signatures upon the same act a few have
faded while others have not。 Upon an act approved
January 4； 1845； the signature of the President of
the Senate has nearly disappeared； that of the
Speaker of the House is more legible； while that of
the Governor； and the figure 4； which he evidently
inserted； are jet black。
〃The indexes in the volumes of archives in the
office of the secretary； which were written about
1840； were evidently made with a different ink from
that used for engrossing； and faded so badly that
the important words had to be rewritten。
〃In the office of the State Treasurer the records
to about 1867 are very black and distinct； but the
ink used during a few years following has faded。
〃The records of births； marriages and deaths；
in the registration volumes in the secretary's office；
furnish an excellent illustration of the different
qualities of the inks now used。 These records are
original returns made by the city and town clerks；
and from 1842 to 1889 show instances of the use
of inks which are now almost illegible。 Here
again the fault cannot be attributed to the paper；
for endorsements made in the secretary's office
upon the most faded returns at the time of their
receipt are as black as when made。
〃The volumes of copies of the old records of
Lexington； made in 1853； have faded until they
are quite indistinct。
〃Some of the old inks； though retaining their
black color have； from the presence of acid in the
ink or paper； eaten through the paper as thoroughly
as if the writing had been done with a sharp
instrument。 In part of one old volume of court
records； the ink； while not injuring the paper or
becoming illegible upon the face of the leaves； has
gradually become legible upon the reverse； while
the heavy paper has been impervious to the other
inks used。
* * * * * *
To ascertain what kind of inks were in use by
the town clerks； I examined the registration volumes
before referred to； and； as before stated；
found many poor inks in use。 In a few cases blue
inks were used； and in two violet； which is； as a
rule； if not always； a fugitive color。 A number of
the returns in these volumes of as recent date as
1875 were almost illegible； and three made in 1888
were nearly as indistinct。
〃The more I looked into the subject； the more
I became convinced that the whole subject of ink
was one upon which the persons using it were
comparatively ignorant。 Consultation with experts
satisfied me that good inks were being injured by
improper treatment； that the custom of mixing
inks and of adding water to them was unsafe； and
that among the inks reported as in use upon the
records there were many manufactured for commercial
uses which should not be used upon records；
and which the manufacturers would say were
not intended for record inks。 I therefore sent to
the manufacturers of the inks reported as in use
by the recording officers； and to some others； the
following letter and inquiries：
〃 'The fading of much of the ink used in records
of comparatively recent date； while as a rule the
records of two hundred years ago are as legible as
when written； establishes the fact that for permanent
qualities much of the modern ink is inferior to the
ancient； and that inks are used that are unfit for
making a record which should stand for all time。
〃 'I am led to believe that most ink in manufacturers
make inks which are good for commercial and
other uses where there is no desire for a permanent
record； but which they would not recommend for
use where the important object was the permanency
of the record。 One of the dangers to which our
records are exposed can be obviated by the use of
proper inks； and I desire to obtain the opinion of
the leading manufacturers on the subject； that I
may advise the recording officers of the State what
are； and what are not； safe inks to use for records。
〃 'I shall esteem it a favor； therefore； if you will
answer the enclosed questions； and return them at
your convenience。 Your reply will be treated as
confidential as far as names are concerned； except
in the answer to question No。 5； and that will not
be printed if you so request。 Any general opinion
which will aid the recording officers in their selection
of ink or paper will be welcomed。
〃 '1。 Do you consider it safe to use for a permanent
record aniline inks？
〃 '2。 Do you consider it safe to use for a record logwood inks？
〃 '3。 Do your consider nut…gall and iron inks
absolutely safe for a permanent record？
〃 '4。 Do you consider carbon ink the only permanent ink？
〃 '5。 What inks of your manufacture would you
advise against using for a permanent record？
〃 '6。 Do you advise generally against the inks
known as writing fluids； when permanency is the
first requisition？
〃 '7。 Do you manufacture a writing fluid？
〃 '8。 Do you consider it safe to add water to ink
intended for permanent record； which has grown
thick by exposure to the air？
〃 '9。 Do you believe that the obliteration of ink
is ever due to the chemicals left in the paper？
（This question has been asked of the paper manufacturers
also。）
〃 '10。 Do you consider it safe to mix inks without
knowing to what chemical group the inks so mixed belong？'
〃Replies were received from twenty…two
manufacturers。 Several of the inks in the market；
though bearing the name of certain persons； were
found to be manufactured for them by manufacturers
who had already answered the questions。
Their replies were； therefore； not considered。
〃To the first question； 'Do you consider it safe
to use for a permanent record aniline inks！' the
unanimous answer was decidedly no。 Aniline
black is absolutely permanent； but as it is not yet
known how to render it soluble in water； it has not
been much used in ink。
〃To the inquiry in regard to logwood inks；
nearly all answered no； and most of those who did
not qualified their answers to such an extent as to
imply distrust。
〃Upon the question of the permanency of nut…gall and
iron inks； the answers were more varied； one answering
no； and four answering directly yes； the remaining
answers being in brief that such inks were permanent
if properly made。
〃To the question； 'Do you consider carbon ink
the only permanent ink？' the answers were varied
and contradictory。 Most of the manufacturers
said a carbon ink could not be permanent； because
carbon was insoluble； and some said that no chemical
union could exist between carbon and the
other ingredients in ink。 Others claimed that carbon
was the one permanent color； and cited the old
Indian and Chinese inks which have stood for centuries
as illustrations of its permanency。 These
statements were so widely di