The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-26
From The Southern Literary Messenger
The social systes4A OF Sh9snls.


this subject is absolutely astonishing 1t by
confined to the iiiieale Our educated men-men Of in
teigence and general niormalion-sre equally anena-
bis TO the charge Young gentlemen who have been TO
college, and VINO are reasonably welead IN general his
tory. YET with some lew honorable excepons) pro-
foundry ignorant OF the State whose soil they tread and
whose air they breathe They have been carefully in
srucled in the annals OF Greece and kome-eyery phase
OF French and English history is familiar 10 them
they know BY heart The whole line Of Panasenels Ia,
doris, Stuss, Guephs, and Capes and yet can tell you
nothing OF that OF men from whose IONS they have
sprung; and ii they have heard by accident that such
men Smith and Bacon have lived and died. this Is The
extent oil their information III respect 10 these colonial
heroes,
This neglect OF their early history by the Virgnans is
altogether objectionable. Even were The subject unn
wiling. lis dignity and importance would entte to Their
consideration. But nothing could be luther iron the
truth No such reproach this attaches 10 our colonial
history Upon the contrary, venture TO ahrm that The
annals OF people Whatever ancient or modern, more
abound in interesting incident The mere TACT that the
early annals of Virginia present to two distinct states
of civilization and two distinct OF placed IN d.
rect iuxaposon TO each other. and that too, under the
most novel circumstances must invest them with IN
which attaches 10 The history OF lew countries
They present TO us barbarlsn and cvilzatonihe red
OF the American forest and the cultivated European,
thrown face to face upon the shores OF the western world
there to wage war OF exernnatonthe one In defence
of his country and his home, the other TO make con,
quess, settle colonies and amass wealth The history
of such struggle. and Of society compounded OF such
strange elements and in which occupied such novel
relations each other, could not, in the nature OF things
be other than entertaining and Instructive And we
and striking developments OF the individual man-romau
tic adventure. bold achievement and thrilling incident
meet US az every step OF colonial progress Inc simple
story oil Smith and Pocahcnas there nothing else,
would redeem the annals OF any people from the epoach
OF dullness.
But it is the Importance rather than the romance OF
colonial history which claims Tor II the attention oil
every educated manpartlculay OF every educated Viz
gn,an 1t was upoa the banks oil tasoTIte ver not
many miles from the present capital OF The State that the
Anglo Saxon INST took root in the soil OF the west
world. We do not hesitate TO pronounce this one OF
the memorable epochs in modern history In our
Judgment the landing OF Smith Jamestown follow ed
II was by Tue subsequent occupation OF the country by
men OF Anglo Saxon origin has exercised, and Is des-
tined 10 exercise in lis remote consequences, greater IN.
huence the destnes OF The human race than any
event which has occurred since the Reformation. Ii
would be difficult TO make good this proposition, but
believe, however, that II will be generally conceded and
TO- hoNIecreaht has Virginia heretofore been TO her
early history
Ills sralying however, 10 find that there has been
some imp venent in this matter. disposition has
Gently manlies ed tei III al quarters 10 wipe away
this reproach n the Anceni ,mnon, and rescue, as
far practicable, her early annals from oblivion
TIE Virginia Historical Society has been recently reor-
ganized under new auspices and with laerng prospects
OF success. This society," II II can once be established
on permanent basis will no doubt prove useful iDstl-
tuition II deserves The patronage OF the Safe and we
should be pleased 10 appropriation made Tor II du
ring the present winter by the legislature il such appro.
priaon be fairly within the scope OF lis legitimate pow
Virginia, yet, abounds in rich historical rag
mens, which must soon be lost unless they be collected
New YORK, Massachusetts,, and, we teieve. several oi
the other States have similar societies, which are IN a
prosperous condition lnelr coIlec already la sc
and nie Resting, have been found valuable IN Illus,
tiatpg The colonial history of the country There is
good reason why the Virginia Historical Society should
not also prospect and We feel confident that with equal
industry and enterprise, Will meet with equal success.
We brieye that the loose material yet toa,ng about in
the Commonwealth is quite as valuable as that
either OF New York or Massachusetts, and, II diligently
collected and arranged, will be found
contribution TO historical literature. Let people
them for once, at least lay aside Their repugnance TO
combined action let them 10 the aid Of this public
and patriotic enterprise; lei them send in their interesting
historical :nanucHps and other docume~s 10 The
where ,hey VIII be preserved; lei Them DO h's and ne
Virginia Historical Society will be placed upon en-.
during basis, and lis abos will rebound 10 the honor oil
the Stale.
Valuable contributions 10 Virginia history have also
been made from other quarters Within The last year OF
two we have been favored with a volume IRON X Il
Howison ESQ.,, upon the colonial history OF Virginia, anl
history by Charles Campbell, esq covering very much
we have only had it in our power TO read the first two
three chapters OF Mr.. Campbell's history With The
Indeed shall be greatly DISAPPOINTED if Mr.. Camp
bells book does not prove TO be The most valuable his
tory OF Virginia winch has yet been given 10 the public
We have the pleasure OF personal acquaintance with
that gentleman, and know that the best energies OF his
lie have up TO this time been devoted preparation
Ii has been with him for many years labor OF love
every faculty of mind and body has been enlisted in tn,
undertaking and IN the collection OF material he bas
been interchangeable. We are persuaded that there is
man IN virginia 80 IHuuldtey dIVudihtu WIN COLO
NAL history as Mr.. Campbell and we believe that his
incusry has led TO the discovery of matter which ha,
never before b. en- published, and which will enable him
topeseni some portion Of Virginia annals in poin
OF view.
We have read Mr. Howisons volume, and can, with
pleasure bear testimony 10 its merits many respects
II is clear and interesting narrative OF the most pfomi
merit facts connected with the colony OF Virginia from ts
hrs settlement IN 1907 10 the peace OF Paris 1863
and, so lar as our limited information enables to
Judge 1t is correct narrative. We know OF book
which we would sooner place in the hands OF one Who
desired TO make bmee acquainted with the general out
line oil virginia history in the shortest possible tme and
win the least possible trouble Matter which else
where spread over large surface and dispersed books,
some Oh winch are out OF prIni, and others not readily
accessible 10 all Is here compressed into single volume
OF moderate SIZE, arranged chronological ORDER and
the whole woven INTO narrative, conducted with no
uncomfortable skill. As mere record OF important
public eventsthe settlement Of Jamestown The early
adventures OF the coionss their bloody battles with
the savages; their "moviDg accidents by flood and
field !" the laws which at various times enacted
the revolutions through which The colonial government
passed. and The relations which subssed at different
times between the colony and the mother counlfy-as
record. we say, OF these and such like external matters
Mi HowisoDh book leaves moi much 10 be desired But
A. This point we mue stop. Having pointed what
believe TO be The merit, Mr. Houson's history, the laws
vi independent crilclsm demand that we should next
Hopt out What we conceive 10 be its defects Aud, in
lne he' place. The style in which his book written is
open 70 many objections. Ii is upon key altogether
100 hkn LOT historical writing. MIR. n will BY no
nesns oonsen' 70 tell us what he has to say plain
Ehesh Dut whatever he narratiug hoyeyer triy ia
and unimpoflant II may be, must be set down in The
swelling periods OF Johnson Gbbon, and The conse.
Quence -, that Mr.. H. frequently eoou,nt uuon occa
SONS when would lave bee much better 10 Ia We been