The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-20

the narrative in the Oxford Tract, which was
deyeloped and privately printed under the
shadow OF the darkest days OF the crucial
period bv Interested and critical authors;
and again amplifed printed and spread
abroad during the bitter factions OF 1874, al
ter the annulling Of the charters by the most
personally interested party In the prem
ises-as was the case with Smiths
General Historic" on which we
have been for 80 long obliged to rely
for our only knowledge of tho infancy OF our
State Some contend for the accuracy OF TINS
story as If it were 10 the interest and honor OF
Virginia to do so; but it 10. IN fact, Just the
other way. 1--WE must Judge the tree by ITS
fruit" have before noe history OF Virginia,
based on smiths which deyotes an average
of about four thousand words per annum 10
Smiths time in Virginia, and less tnan TWO
hundred words per anpum to the next nfteen
years. During 1907 TO 1908 Smiths name oc-
ours ono hundred and forty times and Rat
cliffes who was president before and served
a. long as Smith only twice and during loiU-
1924 Smiths name occurstwice "a often as any
other. although be was not then even IN II
giDla. Every reference To Smith - tavOraoie,
frequently very extrayagantly SO. WINE Other'
during l607-i609) are generally merely m.en-
toned or unfayorable mentioned. II we re-
move the references t. Smith from these
pages Of our earliest history nearly a. that
would remain would be reproach up on our
foundation From the landing OF the Pilgrims
New Englanders havo preserved and
cherished the acts and memories OF their
forefathers with patriotic devotion
worthy of every emulation. wb Ile the inter
est and honor OF the founders of the trst
colony have been sacrificed TO John Slnlth
Their characters have been besmeared; Their
acts criticised and beittledl their ideas ana
motives misrepresented. re have been taught
IL believe that they were mere nO5odles, IN
compotents, towards, knaves and fools; that
the only man in Virginia whose acts
were worthy OF preservation was
named John Smith, and that he
left the country. And this is the fruit which
we have gathered from John Smiths OWE
General Historic monopoly of honor
has been conferred thereby upon John Smith,
and stigma has been cast npon the earliest
history of Virginia and of this nation. Ine
men who fought the battle did not write the
dispatches; but we should not sacrifice those
who did the work TO those who writ too
much and did too bttle."
THE FIRST MANAGERS.
The names and memories of the first mana
gers and their faithful agents should be up
held 10y this nation so long as the sunne and
income endureth" (p. 276) For less service
than theirs men have been deemed gods. by
the ancents (p. 276) and canonized by the
Church of Rome. We are now preparing 20
celebrate the discovery by Columbus on
which the claims or SPAN were based hnu
yet there is not memorial in these United
States 10 those men. who. for the advance
mont of Gods glory and for the good of their
country" (p. 1850, devoted their time. their
talents and their lives to the first establish
ment OF the English race ON American soil.
Even the graves of those who died IN Viz
GINA are unmarked, and, indeed, unknown;
the very history Of their s':ts has been based,
regardless of their interest and honor. almost
entirely on the evid Ance of their op-
quently a shameful travesty on the
men and motives of our first foundation:
For these reasons lad for others, if / could
feel sure that my work would be properly
sustained, ] would be very glad to do my
best toward suppl ying a fair and perspicuouss
history of the frs t English colony established
IN America, just TO the first managers and
their faithful aIents and worthy Of the noble
dignity and merit of our first plantation:
to the interest and onor of old Virginia and
against the John SIN it'll superstition
ALEXANDER Brown.
Norwood Postofice, Nelson County, Va,
Sept. 3, 1891.