The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-11-28

with the accompanying letter during his
recent visit to New York city:
:..-. ~, go, GRAND HOTEL,
49,, e., NEW YORK, Nov. IL, 1870.
HIS Ezcellency Goo. Walker, Richmond,
Dear Sir: Having noticed through :he
press that you are receiving subscriptions
for the relief of the sufferers by the late
terrible flood in portion of your noble old
State,I beg that. you will accept the en-
closed fifty dollars to be Appropriated to that
noble purpose; but with the special re.
quest that the. amount shall not be given IN
money, but in clothing, food, or such other
necessaries of life as you may choose to pur-
chase and distribute. ..r'- -,... l-
Your Excellency will doubtless remem-
ber similar painful visitation of Provi-
dence that swept over the valley of the
Sacramento and contiguous country in CAL
fornia, in 1858, leaving in its wake most
appalling scenes of desolation and distress.
While they were fresh in the minds of the
community, and the benevolence of our
people was freshly aroused, we established,
for the immediate relief Of the unfortunate
sufferers, a charitable organization known
as "The Howard Benevolent Society of
California;" which was incorporated by act
of the Legislature, and which, after fully
and successfully ministering to the wants of
the wretched sufferers by that dreadful ca
lamity, has, by requiring of each member
an annual subscription of five dollars, been
perpetuated to this day, relieving the wants
of the needy, and standing as lasting and
eloquent monument to the benevolence OF
its founders. It is seldom one meets Il beg
gar or deserving object Of charity within
the influence of its operations; and it's gifts
are never in money, but always LII the ne
cessaries of life. .e-a..1 40
Will your Excellency pardon me for sug-
gesting the propriety and eminent htness OF
organizing at thisIparticulaIltime similar So
cietv in voIlr State? The benevolent all over
the land would literally subscribe, and its
blessings would be manifold and lasting:
Your exalted position, and the merlted
hold YOU have upon the confidence and es-
TEEN of your people suggest to my mlEd
(permit me to add) that upon yourself de-
Wolves the honorable and pleasing task OF
taking the initiative in this good work, and
that its successful completion would re-
dound to the interest of all needy sufferers
in the future, and would be an additional
claim in your favor upon the gratitude ana
remembrance of your people,.
Hoping your suffering people may not APP
peal in vain to the charity Oh tne country
for assistance, have the honor to be
Respectfully; your obedient servant, -"
JEROME @. DAVIS.
The Governors reply to this philan-
thropist is suhjoined: .-
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS, I
RICHMOND, Nov. 22d, 1907
Dear Sir: In acknowledging the receipt
of your favor of the 18th instant, enclosing
fifty dollars $500 for the relief of the suffer-
ers by the late terrible flood in this State, it
affords me great pleasure to thank you for
YOUR disinterested .beneyolence, and to as
sure you of the high appreciation OF the
people of Virginia, and OF the profound
gratitude of our unfortunate felloW-clti-
zens, whose distress has excited your SYM
pathy.
The analogy you point out between this
awful visitation of Providence and that
which swept over the valley of the Sacra-
mento, in California, in 1858. is quite slilk-
ing, in my opinion and the wisdom OF the
course pursued by the people of that State
then has been fully shown in the excellent
results therefrom secured. For my part,
would be very glad to see similar associa-
tion organized in Virginia, and do not
doubt that its advantages would be such as
you have described as effected by the How
ard Benevolent Society of California. L
only fear that time will not now be sufh-
cient for the institution Of effective meas
ures for the organization of such society
in this State.
At my suggestion, the General Assembly
have organized a committee. appointed
from their own body, to receive and dis
tribute all contributions for the relief OF the
sufferers by this awful calamity, and have
caused your liberal. donation to be handed
to Hon. Charles Campbell, treasurer Of this
committee, to whom have also made
known your request as to the manner ofits
distribution.
Thanking you for your kind illusions to
myself, also, am,
Very truly yours,
G.. G.. WALKER"