The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-10
An Interesting and Valuable Relic.

A GIFT OF MR.. W. W. C0RCoRAN TO THE SOUTH
. ERN HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
The following correspondence will eN-
plain itself and tell Of graceful act OF W.
w. Corcoran, ESQ.,:
WASHINGTON. ID. c.. February 6, 1884.
Rer. j. William Jones, ID. D., Secretary
ofthe Southern Historical Society, Rich
mond, Vd.:
MY Dear Sir,-I have Just obtained
very interesting and valuable document
being the original Constitution for the
Provisional Government OF the Confederate
States Of America" bearing date February
8, 1861, and signed by the representatives
OF the States OF South Carolina, Georgia,
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana,
and Texas and it affords me pleasure to
present IL to your Society, which seems to
me to be the proper custodian OF such
relic.
forward the document by Adams Ex-
press Company to-day, and remain,
Very truly yours,
w. w. CORCORAN.
OFFICE SOUTHERN HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
No. I, LIBRARY FLOOR,
STATE CAPITOL,
RICHMOND, Va, February Z, 1881.
W. W. Corcoran, Esq, Vice President
Southern Historical Society for District
of Columbia:
NV Dear Sir,-I have to-day received
your esteemed favor OF the 9th instant,
and the express this afternoon brought the
interesting and valuable historic documents
to which it refers.
Allow me, in behalf Of the Society, to
return YOU our warm thanks for this re-
newed expression OF the deep, practical.
and liberal interest you have shown in our
work ever since our organization.
1t is q source OF peculiar qualification to
us that one whose prlncely munficence
has carried sunshine into so many desc
lated southern homes, gladness to so many
sorrowing hearts, should manifest so hearty
an interest in our efforts to collect, collate,
preserve, and publish the material for a
true history OF the Government and people
whose original Constitution you now place
in our archives, doing us the honor to say
that the Southern Historical Society seems
to YOU "to be the proper custodian OF
such relic"
We shall sacredly preserve this beautiful
memento OF the Confederacy, which
| rose so white and fair,
|
and we shall not fail to suitably link with
it the name OF our bonored benefactor,
whose wise lberality enabled us first to
begin the publication OF our records, and
who has again and again contributed such
valuable material to our collection.
You will be glad TO know that we are
hopefully working for the establishment
Of our Society OH the firm basis OF Il fire-
proof building for our archives, and
permanent end0lomcnt, which will ensure
| the carrying on OF the work after those OF
us who are now engaged In 1t shall have
passed away; and we assure you that we
are greatly cheered In our efforts by such
practical sympathy on the part OF one
whose liberality Is only equalled by the
| wisdom with which he is accustomed to
bestow 1t.
With best wishes and most fervent
PRAYERS for your continued health. bappi-
| ness. and usefulness, / am. with sentiments
| of highest respect and esteem, very truly
yours, y. MiLLHs yoNIs,
Secretary Southern Historical Society.
| The Constitution Is beautifully engrossed
on parchment, and has on it the autograph
signatures Of the members then composing
the Provisional Congress, and the certifl-
cate OF the clerk as TO its genuineness.
II is indeed an interesting and valuable
addition to the priceless collection OF the
Southern Historical Society, and makes
another strong argument for giving the
Society fire-proof quarters ~ 'he earliest
possible day.