Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-10-23

there has been no society established in the State which
mas had tendency to concentrate the intellectual and
moral energies of enlightened citizens and inspire
hem WI" mat arior and vigor in the cause OF improve
ment' winch are most edectuay produced by free in
terchange OF opinions, when the sparks of truth fire.
quen'ly elected by collision Of genius
In order to supply in part this deficiency, number of
gentlemen from different parts of the State, met the
Capitol in Richmond la January last and laid the oun-
daton OF society which is called, ''the Virginia Hsor
cal and Philosophical Society,". The leading objects of
TINS society," are, TO procure and preserve whatever relates
10 the natural, civil and literary history of this State and
TO paronlse far practicable, all those sciences and
arts which have direct tendency 10 promote the best
erests oil our czens These objects address themselves
with peculiar force, TO all who wish Virginia 10 hold
that elevated standing among her sister States, which
her natural resources moral WORTH and past
dom, entitlc her.
IL will be observed, that the first object of the society,"
wnch immediate and particular attention is solicited is
coec the materials for complete and authentic history of
Tue state There several histories of the State extan
but must be admitted by all competent judges, that
oil ein contain complete compilation OF those facts and
correct deneaon oil those characters for which Virginia
is justly celebrated, and which ought form by far the
1chest portions OF her history Ii is in vain, that we
look TO the published records for full and view
the elevated sentiment the noble sacrifices the bold dar-
ing aud the unyieing purpose, for which very many of
our patriots and phianhropss distinguished durir
our Revolutionary struggle for liberty. Hence, under
isung circumstances, postery will be deprived of
correct knowledge OF the deeds of their ancestors
course OF the moral influence Of their noble example, Vir-
gina Will be inattentve her interests She neg.
lect to supply the deficiency But i'm order to accompsb
this object cectualy il necessary that all who have the
means, should lend their aid the operations of the socie
~ Ii Is hoped that this will be done only cheerful
~, but Immediately. Delay in this matter will be highly
injurious. In all probability much valuable matter TeIa-
ing TO past events, is already rrecoveraby lost both by
neglect anu by the removal by death of nearly all those
worthless, who having borne disling uished part i'm the
pubic and private transactions of their times could have
communicated much important and interesting intorno.
ton concerning them, which has been left on record
This circumstance should admonsh all who feel the least
Interest on TINS subject that immediate and vigorous
ertlons ought TO be made to that which now re-
mains, but which in very few years, will be beyond
the reach oil recovery But, doubtless there are now i'm
the possession OF the descendants of those patriots MANY
highy important manuscripts and other papers relating TO
our past history, which, from the operation of natural
causes, very liable to be scattered and lost MANY of
the insulated as they are, will, in instances
be considered by those who possess them TO be of little
or no Importance; and therefore, not worth preserving
when viewed separately, some of them NAV appear 10
be oil no value but compared with others relating to the
same events ley may be OF immense value in eucdat-
ing obscure facts and confirming statements which tend
10 eAb me real causes effects of great public transac
tons, or TO deyeOpe the operating motives of those n,li
viduals, whose public enterprises or private cxeron and
sacrifices, had an important bearing great
oil our country. Without the aid of such documents all
must admit, that the history OF Virginia must necessarily
be incorrect aud defective 1t is confidently believed
therefore, tat those persons possessing original
OF any species oil information relating the past history
oil his state, although there may be uuwingness TO
entrust them TO private individuals will cheerluiv con-
hide them TO the of public institution i'm whose chs
ouy hey would be preserved for the general benefit of
III.
those Patriots OF the Revolution whose lives by the bless
ing OF kind Providence have been PROLONGED 10 The
present une all other persons who by their peculiar 81
uauon In HE, have obtained minute knowledge of i'm
portant public private transactions connected with the
State will most willingly commit writing and forward
10 the Society," narration such facts as thew NAV i
ought 10 be preserved for tho information of mankind
BY these means, many highly interesting facts will be
oDtaned, which, in all probability, very few years will
be beyond the reach OF recovery very large number
valuable papers will be rescued from tho obscurv of i
waite repositories, where they liable TO be DESTROYED or
lo' oy he operation OF incidental circumstances 1t APP
pears lhat ls is The only practical mode by which a the
present ne, much can be effected in collecting ogether
the scattered Fragments and peIsing memorials of our
past history. All such matter when collected and deno
slted In the State library, will be rich treasure TO The
State and our legislators well TO the antouarv e
historian, or the scholar.
Another object, which the Society has particuorly in
ve"' Is to obtain and preserve every species of in
formation concerning the mneraogy, geology and bo
tahy oil the different parts of the Stale Ii is well
known, that our mountains and valleys are rich i'm
valuable minerals and medicinal waters and our alluv
country contains many highly important chemical and
formations The best interest of the various
kus Oh internal Improvement, we'll as Of science would
be greatly promoted by accurate mneralopical and
geological survey oil the whole State In this way ON,
SeheIay' would be able TO ascertain the proper
es ana locations oil the different species of rocks ores
coal, natural soils chemical manures mineral waters &
III each section OF the State KNOWLEDGE of these
thngs, and proper application of them will constitute mo
uncomfortable portion of the physical power of t CT,
and VIII be oil great Importance not ONLY TO the sk ar
ust ana scientific agricuuralist, but the statesman and
o. III
mating Investigations OF this kind have moi hesitaed IN 60
cure then at public expense. But il is hoped tina,
may be done, through the medium of this society
accomplishing this desirable object without much troube
or expense, provided our citizens will cheerliv and
geically cooperate with the Society i'm esaLsIiuc an ,
tehsVe ana complete cabinet of the various minerals and
museum oil the natural curiosGcs belonging to Virpi
MA The great benefits that may be derived from s'cb
an establishment at the capital of the State will be
at once perceived by every enlightened norson - ~,
mineral specimens, natural curioics can he easi
'o"'eu 10 inc society from any part of the common
wealth. through the medium Of the Delegates TO the Ge-
neai Assembly, who, 10y the Constitution of the society
have tight TO attend lis meetings and examine s ill.,
ana Cabinet by these MEANS every individual i'm The
state can nave direct communication with the socetv
an" oo'"m any Information which is at any time i'm IFS pos
session he keeper oil the cabinet will all lines receive
label aud arrange all specimens and anv articles con,t
Ell WIN o arts or Sciences that may be presented t the
society IL IS expected, tna the cabinet of mine
sClehhc gentlemen both for their own inlorna.
ho' ana LOT inc Deheht OF others, will examine and ana.
rye the various specimens that NAV have been coec,eJ
aud record The results of their investigations. m b,t
person VIII have an opportunity of knowing the consiit
TO forward TO the society. ~ P'
he annual meetings Of the society will be held ON ne
nFs MONDAY IN January, when public addresses will be
delivered and such essays aud other communications read
before the society, have been prenared for H., -
pose; and also full statement will he naJc NJ an H.
relating 10 any OF the subjects that come within the scopc
OF the society 1t Is probable that as soon as scirn,
quanhy OF important matter is collected the society v
puOs series oil coilec'0ns for the benefit Of the pub
I'm order The more eIectuay TO secure bc ir,,c1; A.,
anu particular attention OF citizens TO those subject.
"ch WIZ advance the leading objects of the society ye
' iol'oWing is OF items, any Of which will be
tnahkuly received by the society if forwarded IN Mr.
" M H. Richardson, Librarian to the State:
DOONs P'hphets records and manuscripts re- stve 10 e
S Seuemeh or subsequent history Ibis State; maya
o, & papers and Other periodical publications espe.
4pnH l..fo., .