The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-07-30

ton only OF q contemporaneous account ny
Governor George Percy, bringing his mar
ratiye down to September, 1907. "The
rest" he says, is omitted, being more
fully set downe Ia Cap. Smiths Relations
+" All that is preserved to us OF this Dis
course is valuable; for it embraces
throughout many details which are to DO
met with nowhere else."
Pllrchas exhibits his friendly prejudice
further in the exclusion OF the narrative, OF
Edward Maria Wing6eld, with whom SMITH
had been at bitter cnlnity, though he refers
TO an. Wingficid's Notes IN the margin =,
Of page 1900, volume 4, of his "PilgrlmS,,.
where, in giving an account OF the assui ha
on the fort OF Jamestown, just before the
return of Ncwport's party OF discover w
the river, he says: 81 have also NJ. W my
fields notes OF these affairs. but "ou'u ~.
trouble the reader here with thinss lnot ~
than troubles once there. -ftGi".s ~
Deane's True Relation, PIP. 'c'"''
rrriii. 49,, .o,,,..
,rha+ 'aftcr the quaint manner OF Thomas
Euller. that we have another wltncss TO
a,test the truth OF Smith--in his own
:. words" at second hand. II W. W. II.
will permit me would like to add other
testimony as quoted by Mr.. NELL in his
London Company, page 95, proving inaccu-
racy upon the part VI Purchas, where IL
given rs his version Of the conclusion or
letter OF Rev. Alexander Whitaker phrases
sipnally different from those rs the same
portion OF the letter originally appearing
in Ralph Hamor.
In conclusion, I beg to differ with w. w.
II. as to what constitutes mentally disquali-
tying prejudice, with him as to the import
ant bearing upon history OF romantic and
mythical stories, and in his valuation OF en-
parte pleading "a applied to the discussion
OF history to proper judgment OF which
a thorough n ventilation and elucldatlon
BY new testimony rs may be available
should be desired and employed-I for one
would invite such, though special hobbies
of mine or OF any other Virginian may be
demolished thereby, and in bis Judgment.
Of Mr.. Neill; and with bis admirers
OF our local press in ascribing to
our brethren Of the North and East
a desire Sectionally to do uS injustice
in the matter of Captain John Smith, for his
fame is as much the peculiar property OF
New England as OF Virginia, and it has
been substantially vindcated there in a
manner in which there is little promise OF
imitation hereby the erection in 1864, on
Star Island, off the coast ofNew Hampshire,
OF a monument to his memory.
Nothing can be more feeble, less credlta-
bic, or is more to be deprecated than an
appeal to passion or sectional prejudice, in
whatever interest employed.
The earth continues its revolutions de-
spite of conflicts dire and intellectual con-
tentions more or less mimic. The princi-
pies and modes OF science are revolution
lied and superseded by new discoveries.
Original and duly-authenticated narratives
OF eyc-witnesscs and participants in i'm
portant historical actions are constantly
turned up. Let the public have them with
their flood OF light upon manners, customs,
minute action and incentive, though their
publication may initiate against prccon-
ceived and dearly cherishcd ideal individual
regulations. The majesty OF history de-
mandS this.
TO the noblcr instincts OF my fellow-citi-
gems Of our grand old Commonwealth I
would rather appeal. Our history is i'm
posing enough in its examples oia'iherence
to the principles OF duty, justice, and llber-
ty; to the requirements OF cbivalry, and in
Its general and continuous manifestation Of
the domestic virtues, without reliance upon
heroic reputation, tabled or
Pray do not neglect, stifle, or commit to
destruction any matter OF presumed histori-
cal bearing; but, plead, send it to the
Virginia Historical Society to ensure its
and to foster its publication.
Very truly yours, Il. 4. B.