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

DOMESTIC.
COLLECTIONS VIRGINIA HIsroRicAL AND
PHrLosoPHIcAL SOCIETY, Sc &c
We take blame 10 ourselves Tor not having noticed as
II deserves, the proceedings OF is Society We have he
fore the LIST volume it has published-ad we seize This
opportunity to note its contents. The Virginia His,o
cal aud Philosophical Society organized on the %
December, 1881. by few gentlemen who assembled il,
tho Hall OF the House Of Delegates formed Con.,itn
ton, appointed officers and selected orator 10 deliver
The hrst Anniversary Address. ommiitee an
pointed TO prepare Address 20 the public, scptIve of
the objects OF the institution This Address appeared in
October, 1882, and concluded 18th econne nlinr certain
Items oil Information, to be ated to the Librarian
for the benefit of the Society.
The regular anniversary meeting in January last was
but thiny acndcd-and the Society adjourned over un
I'll the lst Monday in February. This latter meeting was
fully attended. Upwards of 30 new members were al.
mited Several valuable donations were pre- sented But
two manuscripts among them, both OF which are
published in this volume The first an authentic mar.
rave OF Indian and other occurrences Oh Our west
en frontier, by The late COL John Stuart OF Grconbrier
who was oae oil the in the principal scenes which
he relates,-communica,ed by lis son, Charles a Stuart
Esq oil Augusta. The secon is the hitherto unpublished
record OF the trial ct female, in The year 1905 in Prn
Anne county, for the crime OF mchciali-an event
In state annals, which few ever supposed 10 ex
list; and which furnishes curious illustration of the SEN
umens AMI customs OF our ancestors. This record
presented by the late Archibald Taylor ESD of Glouces
te-andi Is regularly certified by the clerk of the COURT
Mr. Jonathan T. Gushing, Professor of Hamphcn Sid
ney College, the the occasion-and
we have the pleasure of now laying his Address before our
readers.
discover procure, and preserve whatever relate
10 the NATURAL civil, and literary history this State and
to paronzs -n advance all those sciences which have a
direct tendency TO promote me ucsI Interests Of CT
tixens.
The anniversary meeting OF this Society shall be held
on the hrs Monday oil January in each year, at which
time the officers OF the ensuing shall be elected and
an address delivered by OF The regular members of the
Society, who shall have been elected for that pupose AT
the preceding anniversary. The admission of members
the election OF officers, and Of the member 10 deliver the
anniversary Grafton shall be by the of the regular
members oil the Soceiy An alternate shall be selected
at each annual meeting deliver address in case of the
ABSENCE oil the member regularly appointed for pur
pose"
OFFICERS ofthe Soeiefy John Marshall. President
John Floyd. FIRST Vice Presdent-J. p. Cushing Sc.
eond pice PresidentJohn b. Clopton, Correspondins
Seerefary-James E. Heath, Recording Secyefarv-
way Robinson, 1Tedswer-Wm ii. Richardson, Libra
ridn.
STANDING Communicating W. Leigh, Chair
man--Dr John peterborough, George Tucker Uniuer-
mtg Of Virginia, Gus;avus a. Myers, Dr. Thomas Mas
sic, Of Nelson, Gurdon II. Bacchus Dr. Robert Briggs
VIM. r. Sheppard, and the Recording Secretdry.-Eds
PRESIDENT CUSHING'S ADDRESS.
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Sociefv.--I rise
to perform duty which you have been pleased TO assign
me Tor this occasion No be sensible than
oil the honor conferred upon me- by this appointment:
hut, had il been left consult my own feelings
and at the time the interests our infant Society,"
the privilege OF addressing you at this time would have
devolved on some other member, who could have set
forth The claims Of association public patronage in
more able and interesting manner Perhaps. too is
due TO myself TO observe, that circumstances which il i.
TO mention, have obliged to appear
you without due preparation But, il any Of the remarks
which may Offer shall have tendency to attract alton
lion TO the Importance oil the object for tho promotion
which we have this night assembled, shall have accom-.
pshed the end have in view.
Mr. Presidents congratulate all lovers Of Virginia and
her institutions and all enlightened and liberal friends oil
practical Improvement and Of the cultivation and diffusion
ofsound knowledge, the formation oil This society whose
DEMENT'S, is hOped will be felt either directly or ind
rectly, by all classes of citizens If considered
merely as sifording focus into which the raw
OF genius wisdom and patriotism NAV be occsonaIIv col
md iii.
inrairts and gentlemen Of the learned 1.-The yea
Ious patrons OF literature and science the enerprising nd
vocates OF public Improvements and the arts our states
men, patriots and planhropsts of enlarged views may
rally ouce or twice year, from all parts Of this common
wealth, Tor the cultivation OF social and friendly feeling
and the Tree interchangs OF opinions subjects of com
mon inercs 81 say ii only these objects should be &C
comPished this association would be productive of mucl
good.
IN consequence of The pccuar character of the rsss
laborers among ne, and the kind OF our staple conod
ties large portion Of our talented and influential citizens
are necessarily located distance from each other nm
der circumstances which preclude frequent intercourse
aud which very uuayorable for cherishing spirit o
mutual improvement Were citizens, instead Of being
fpareIy scattered over extensive surface situated
villages towns aud ciies and did they enjoy the meal
cunbe advantages, arising from of ceci
other, facility in intcfchangng their views and feelings
AMI union OF siors IN ehccing objects for the genera
go9d; then we should powerful Stimulus constant,
operating or large portion Of each community urging
item onward ron degree Of Improvement TO smother
me" I'D an Pfo'abily, would be established sssoriaon
Tor the promotion OF literature science and the srfs w.
ceuni, PUBIC hbrarle botanical gardens and such oIe
Institutions would be calculated to rouse curiosity al,
scientific research, and awaken spt Of enterprise an,
general improvement throughout tho State The ex
pereDce Of all past ages has amply proved dat scl
circumstances highly favorable lof calling forth the in
tehectua aud moral energy Of people, aud securing vi
gor oil enterprise, cnon OF effort aud unity and ef
hcency OF seton. Although, sir, physical condition
denies TO US numerous privileges which enjoyed b,
ne inhabitants ~ many parts m Europe in some sec
'ons OF or own country, (snd which doabcss constitute
the great secret Of their alleged superodiy) still muci
may be done 10 remedy defects and supply our de
cencies, provided ou operstonor clna ,sse iipoft
ant rcsns, shall be adapted 10 the nlture Of our coni
ton, and pressed forward with energy and
ance, with the importance of the great oh
jects 10 be accomplished.
Permit sir to observe, that the constitution Of hi