The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-05
THE NORTHAMPTON RECORDS.

bill will be presented during the
present session of the Legislature
which will provide for the copying
of the Northampton county records, which
extend as far back into the past as 1862. that
is. within twenty-five years Of the foundation
Of the colony at jamestown.
1t is sincerely TO he hoped that this bill will
receive the approval of both houses Of the
General Assembly and the State Executive
The Northampton records constitute the only
complete county records in the State of Viz
GINA Of date prior to 1900, and are there
fore of inestimable value in the light
which they throw upon the different
features of the Colonial age. Their
historical importance is so great that they
should not be permitted to remain any longer
| exposed to the constant danger of destruc-
| ton which now threatens them. from the fact
that they are deposited in a building which is
not fre-proof The bill to be presented will
| propose that the originals shall be removed
TO Richmond after the proper copies have
| been taken TO replace them in Northampton
| The appropriation which will be required to
meet al the expenses Of this undertaking in
every branch is comparatively small and en-
tirely out Of proportion to the importance of
the end to be subseryed
In case the bill is passed as it will not fail
to do if the members of the Legislature will
carefully consider its objects, we trust that as
| soon as the financial condition Of the State
clearly Justifes it, all similar records now
deposited in the oldest of our court-houses
Ie 30,
thoy can be kept III easy access to all who are
making Investigations in the early history of
Virginia. Apart from the question Of
expense, there is no room tor doubt that
not only ought oil the ancient records of the
Commonwealth be removed to a place OF de-
post where every precaution can be taken FOR
their permanent protection. but they should
also be carefully edited and printed. SO as 10
furnish an additional guarantee for their pre-
servstion.
The most cursory examination of tho origi-
nal authorities in whatever form upon which
II complete history of Virginia would have to
be based discloses the fact that they have not
yet been properly utilized. No adequate his
tory of the State has yet been written, and
been made by the State Government 10 gather
together under one roof all the documents
from which this history must be
drawn. II is too much to expect
that historical scholars. and especially
scholars who arc adverse TO our general
traditions, will extend their search into the
precincts Of one-thrd of the court houses of
the State, each of which offers perhaps mate
rial which can only DO properly examined
after the exhaustion Of a very long time The
State library should be so full in its authori-
tes-at least on the early history of the Com.
monwealth-that it would be entirely unne-
cessary for any one who is interested in tina,
history TO visit either our own ancient court
houses or libraries in New York. Boston ar
London to obtain any additional information.
simply because no additional information Was
to be found.
One OF the most important of the questions |
to be considered in the future is the erection
OF e fireproof State library building in this
city. The room now occupied BY the State