The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-06-07

VIRGINIA HISTORICAL soC1ETY-THR STORY
| OF P0cARoETAs AND CAPTAIN JOHN SAI1I
DIscUssED.-The regular monthly meeting o.
the Executive Committee of the Virgins
Historical Society was held Friday evening
DIR. Green presided. ;. The subcommittee
Messrs. Maury and Palmer-appointed at the
last meeting to examine into the condition oil
the portraits belonging to the Society .ren'
dered very Interesting report. They are
in treaty with Mr.. Elder and other artists for
the work of cleaning and reparation'o of this
valuable collection, many Of which are Of a
high order Of merit as works of art, besides
possessing an historic interest peculiarly sp.
pealing to the Virginian if not the American
heart. A portrait of the noble patriot, the
generous Lafayette, ere he had attained his
majority, painted by Charles Wilson Peaie,
deserves especial mention. From it was en-.
graved, it is believed, the portrait which
forms. one Of the illustrations of LOSING IS
Life of Washington. The subcommittee
| was continued in it's labors.
The Corresponding Secretary reported, on
behalf Of the subcommittee Consisting OF
himself and DR.. Charles G.. Barney ap-
pointed to examine into the present number
aud condition of the books Of the Society in
the possession Of the Young Mems Christian
Association of Richmond, that the Associa.
! ton had deferred reply 10 his communica-
| ton to them until after the adjournment OF
the National Convention Of the Young Mems
| Christian Association Of the United States,
| recently in session here. He had himself
visited the library-rooms of the Association.
and was led to believe that the majority OF
the volumes originally loaned by the Society
were still in the possession Of the Associa-
| ton. LIE was continued as subcommittee
| with instructions to request from the Asso-
citation the surrender Of such volumes be-
longing to the Society as he might deem OF
| interest and value. "-.
The Corresponding Secretary also read let
| of the Bureau of Education of the United
States, acknowledging information furnished
him regarding the Virginia Historical Socie.
| ty, to be used in compilation descriptive OF
| the public Libraries and learned institutions
Of our country, to form part of the exhibit
| of the centennial commission Of 1876. The
Commissioner kindly pr0fiered due thought.
| fulness Of the Society in the future distribu-
| ton Of publications from his Bureau.
The Corresponding Secretary also made a
partial report on seal for the Society. He
was desired to furnish design for the same
by the time Of the next meeting of The EX-
ccutive Committee. He reported certain
donations of pamphlets, &c. A pair of sill
yer spurs once the property of the erratic
John Randolph, of Roanoke, was also pre-
sented to the Society through DIR. Palmer.
a report of Colonel Sherwin McRae, the
general agent Of the Society giving an account
Of sundry collections and stating a recent
accession to the Society of siXty-tiye men,
bers, was also received.
DR.. George w. B1gby appeared before the
Society aud submitted proposition to de-
liver lecture, having for its subject The
Old Virginia Gentleman" upon which be
has been engaged for several years past, first
| in this city, and afterwards TO repeat it at
points throughout the State-the object OF
| the lecture being the acquisition Of fund to
secure the erection of a tire.proof building
for the collections of the Society. DR.. Bagby
also proposed to endeavor to enlist the SYM
pathies of the ladies of the State (tbrough
whose noble eXertions Mount Vernon was
secured to us) in behalf Of the Society. DIR.
| Bagby promised future conference with the
committee.
| Mr. Maury was authorized to enter into
correspondence with certain gentlemen OF
| known literary requirements anu oratorlcal
powers, with reference to the delivery of a
lecture at the approaching annual meeting of
the Society.
The tollowing.namcd gentlemen, proposed
for membership nt the last meeting of the
Executive Committee, were duly and unani.
| mousy elected: Honorary: Hon. John w.
Johnston and Hon. Robert E. Withers.
Corresponding: Rev. e. A. Dalrymple, d.
D., of Baltimore, Nd; Colonel Albert H.
Hoyt, A. NJ, Boston, Mass; Samuel F. Ha-
ven, Esq, Worcester, Mass; Samuel A.
Green, NJ. D., Boston, Mass. Resident :
Henry d. Dantorlh, Esq, John +. w. Glib.
son, Esq, Edward j. Warren, Esq.
The names of number Of gentlemen
| were proposed for membership. A very in
teresting discussion, in which Messrs. Green,
Maury, and Henry earnestly entered, was
had regarding the accuracy of the historical
variations of Captain John Smith. and more
particularly the authenticity of his romantic
| adventure with Pocahontas. Mr.. Henry has
recently prepared an able vindication of Po.
cahontas from the assaults made upon her
fair fame by DR.. Charles Drane and Rev. +.
D. Neill. 1t is designed for publication in
Potcr's american Monthly of Philadelphia.
The meeting adjourned TO meet again this
| month.