Coues's report on codices
In returning the journals to the Society, Coues transmitted
therewith a detailed report upon their scope and condition.[48]
While in
his possession, he attached to each codex
(note-book) a memorandum
summarizing its contents,
and to each gave an identifying letter, running
from
A to T. This was commendable; but certain other liberties
which
he took with the manuscripts merit our condemnation
—for in many
codices he freely interlined the text with his
own verbal changes and
comments; and in general appeared
to
treat the material as though mere copy for the printer, which
might be
revised by him with impunity. Apparently the
codices remained unopened
after their return; for it was not
until the summer of 1903 that the
Society authorities were
made aware, by one who was examining them in
detail, of the
surprising treatment to which they had been
subjected.
