Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-08-06

lmanuscpt and every specss Of information which rslae
TO the past history OF the State. We aware, that In
accomplishing this object many obstacles will present
themselves II will be difficult in many instances TO as
certain precisely where information can be had much
doubtless hes IN unsupported sources; and II Is possible,
mat some oil those who have valuable matter in their pos
session. will be unwilling to part with it, Such difficult
ties will be overcome in great measure by the combin-
ed energies OF this Society. Ii is believed that shortly
its members will be scattered throughout every portion
oil the Commonwealth, aud each one will make il a pro.
minen' obectn his daily pursuits search and
tam every species OF knowledge relating these subjects
II Is also believed that Legislators, gentlemen OF the
liberal professions and all Others who feel an interest in
every circumstance tina, will tend to advance the prospe.
ry oi the country, will eheery lend their aid to such
efforts OF the Society.
But in order to accomplish all that is valuable on this
SUBJECT immediate and rigorous exerons ought put
orth. Delay viii be highly injurious. In all probability
much very valuable matter relating to past events is al
ready irrecoverably lost Many important papers doubt,
ess nave oeen DESTROYED through neglect aud nearly all
those patriots oil the Revolution, have been removed by
death, who could have communicated much hiphlv inn.
portant and interesting information erning the public
aud private transactions of their time which we fear ha
not been left record These circumstances should adj
monisn us ocommence our operations instantly
that which remains.
Ii is reasonable suppose that there arc novv IN; t
possession OF the worthy descendants OF those patriots
ny Important historical manuscripts and recorded facts
wheh, from the operation o natural causes liable tc
be scattered and lost Many OF thcm insulated as the
now are WILL in most instances, be considered by those
VINO possess hem oil little no Importance, and there
lore not worth preserving. When viewd separate
h'ue or no value, but when they collected and
compared with other statements relating to the same
events ,hey may be OF immense importance elucida
ung ooscur facts, and confirming statements, which tend
TO exhibit the real and effects OF great public
transactions; or TO develope the operating motives of those
individuals, whose public enterprises or private xcr;op
nd sacrces have had porlaut airing ON the ore in
teresis OF our country Every recorded or
TACT snecdote or any circumstance which tends directly
or indirectly TO throw light any past public interest
ing private transaction, exhibit the of the
actors or TO show what the kind and the influence
puoc sentiment at periods Of great value and
ought not be lost Ii is hoped therefore, that all those
persons possessing such original documents (atboueb
there may have been unwillngness enrust them
private individually will cheer!uy con6de them to the
care oil TINS Society, in whose custody they will be pre-
served Tor the benefit of posery and the public at large
1t is also hoped proper and prompt steps shall taken
our members that those patriots OF the Revolution whose
ves, by The blessing OF kind Providence have bet sro
longed TO the present time, also that all other citzen
who by their peculiar situation i'm life, have obtained an,
pechc knowledge respecting important public private
events connected with the State, may be induced Il
commit TO writing, and forward TO this society, nara
ton oil such facts they may think ought to be presery
ed for the information of the public
Perhaps, sir IL may be we'll in order TO throw lpb or
our pah Tor our association in relation 10 these subjects
to communicate with those individuals in different parts
the country, who probably direct 10 importan
sources Of information.
BY these means many highly interesting fact will be
obtained, which, II not recorded immediatey must be
LOST 10 The world and also very large number of va
iuabc papers VIII be rescued from the obscuy of p
vate repositories, where they liable to be DESTROY
ed or lost by the operation Of incidental circumstance s
Yes, sir, is confidently believed that by the instrument
taty OF this society," much be done collect and pre-
serve the scattered fragments and psrshing memorials
oil the pastprovided act uniedy perseverncly
inc subject without such documents as those TO which
we have referred, enlightened person must admit
that the history OF this State, will be incorrect and deec
tive All such matter, when embodied and deposited il
the library OF this society," will constitute rich Treasure
not only TO the anquary, the historian and the scholar
but TO the state, aud its executive judicial egisatv,
departments.
IT, r.,