Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-11-14


milscrews, with bales complee-inaitresses drums
MES and flutes STEWARDS, inksiands, powder,
general assortment of CASTINGS Sc Sc
November o. 53-2aw3w
NJ OW in the Press, and will be published
! ON the LIST December, 1876. THE HIS
JORI OF FIRGINLf-Co Commenced BY John
Eurk, and continued by Shelton Jones and l..
H. Girardin.
Aseries of,nltoward and melancholy circum-
stances, has long delayed the publication of the
above Work, and its delivery to Subscribers.
Soon after finishing volumes of il. MIR. Rurk
was preniatureiy and fatally cut off in TIE prime
OF life, and at moment when his naturally
powerful mind had derived additional yigor
from intense and vast researches Mr. SkeIton
Jones was then induced to undertake the com
petion OF the task but he died in the very
threshold OftIat undertaking. Sixtv-iive pages
only have issued from his brilliant pen; and
the printing ofthepart written by Mr. (iirar,lin
has been retarded by difficulties no less nup1e-
r0uS than unexpected.
The portion of the History of Virginia.
which fell TO the lot Of the last named GENTLE
man, embracing the chief, political, civil and
military transactions Ofour great revolutionary
periods, is from the very nature of the subject
entitled to nationalattention. There are i'm the
human constitution principles which do not
permit us 10 behold, without deep and vivid in
terest, the arduOusand glorious struggles which
history often presents TO our view We mean
those struggles in which nth contended with
NiiOf, NiIiuc WITH freedom With fV-
ranny. We feel, even at this distant slav for
republican Greece armed against the invading
myriads of Persia-for the United Netherlands
resisting the despotsm and bigotry ofenthralIcd
ana enthrailing Span-for the brave and virtu-
Gus SWISS ilurlng defiance i'm the face OF of proud
Austria. How pow erfuIly, then, must oui svm-
pathies be excited both as men and as citizens
when we see not ancient, not foreign patriots
but our own beloved and revered forefathers,
opposing with successful energy, systematic
Wlnf0n InfrfmrRnnnf nf fl,ai,.
and their chartered rights creating new
body politic-in short, establishing bv their
wisdom, and cementing with their blood that
political independence and those civil and reli-
SlouS liberties, which we DOW so happily enjoy
and which if we continue faithful to orr liigl,
destinles, no power upon earth, no foreign hos
uiity, no domestic intrigue, shall ever wrest
from our possession Surely if the pencil of
history has at any time delineated scenes cal
cuiated TO attract our attention, and engage our
sensiblities, such scenes are to be found in the
present work! Let us add that in the prosecu-
ton OF this laudabie undertaking. the continual
tor has been guided by a strict and undertaking
regard for truth animated by an indefatirabI..
ardor OF research, and BY generous desire OF
perpetuating to the utmost OF hsindividuai ey-
ertlons, that gl0riousspirt, these admirable and
sacred principles, which dictated the measures
ana accomplished the exploits, recorded in his
nauHt'e lie has brought to light a mass OF
interesting local facts detected and rectifed
errors of mischieVods tendency; and ali along
adapted hisstyle to the inherent grandeur and
dignity OF his subject. The extracts from his
part Of the History already before the public,
must, we trust, Justify our opinion; and. indeed
We can prduce i'll favor of the work, testim0ni-
az OF much higher authority than ours Mr.
YehelsOns extensive historical collection was
Kindly opened to the coutnuators researches.
That distinguished patriot, whose zeai and abiii-
ties were so early and so efficiently displayed i'm
those very scenes which Mr.. Girardin undertook
TO retrdce, has, with his usual aiiabilty, comde-
scendedtoread the manuscript, & bestowed on
IL his appreciation, in the following words
Thomas Jefferson returns to Mr. Girardin
his w. s. which he has read with great satisfac-
ton. And must express with sincerity, his
American History, that Of his native State, so
ably recorded for posterty."
Other Gentlemen, eminent in tho literary
world, have spoken in terms equally favorable
of tlOse parts oithe cOntinuatiOawhi have boen
submitted to t heir judgment but we deem il
unnecessary to say more on this head The work
will soon be before the public. Let il be
tested by its intrinsic mcrltsl