The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-15
VA. HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
ANNUAL MEETING or TINE 0RGANI-
EATON Lx,T yfcHT.
The Presidents Report Contained Much
Interesting Information About the
Society and lite work.

MSesrs. d. &. Richardson. JoScih Bryan
J. Taylor Ellyson. Rev. Geo. l.. CLANCY
Rev. II. l.. Carnc. Preston Cooke. Jack
son Guy. Rev. VIM. r. Richardson. Rose
wen Page. r.. l.. Traylor. Frank II
Mcclure James r. Walker. b. a. Bruce
James l.. Anderson. Archer Anderson
=. $. y. Patteson, John Chamblin. DR.
W. T.. Palmer. Dr. w. b. Green. II. II.
Gaines. W. r.. Meredith. Geo. A. Barks-
dale. General ChGs. j. Anderson. J. II.
v Daniel, ". T.. Brooke Henry Iiutzler.
c. " Meredith. Edward G. Mayo, John
Rutherford. DR.. NJ. ID. Hoge. Jr.
Tho Presidents X port.
The annual report was submitted by
the president. Mr.. Joseph Bryan. The
report. I'm the beginning. congratulates
the members OF the society upon having
secured a permanent abiding place. at
the present building, No. 70 east Franklin
street. after which follows resume of
the many movements made by the So
ciety since 1871 Moving from it's first
location. at the southeast corner OF the
Capitol Square. the organization occu-
pied. for five years rooms in the building
on the corner Of Tenth and Marshall
streets. In 1858 the regular records began
20 be kept by the late Andrew Johnston,
Esq, who was made the recording secre-
tary.
From 1858 tin the Confederate capitol
was removed 10 Richmond the books,
pictures. and other property OF the so
ciety occupied quarters in the Mechanics
Institute. on Ninth street. opposite
Bank which was afterwards utilized as
the Confederate States War Department.
The pictures were then taken TO the
residence Of Or. Barney No. 403 east
Main street. where they remained for
twenty years, or until they were placed
upon the walls of the Westmoreland
club in 1881. when that hospitable organ
ization offered place Of refuge to the
society.
DR.. Barney secured rooms for the
books In the building then owned by
the city, at the southeast corner of Tenth
and Bank streets. but military necessity
compelled him 10 take them out, and
through the influence Of Hon. c. G.
Memminger and Judge w. W. Crunp
room In the CustOm-House was given the
society. After many troubles and disad-
vantages the eighth move was made in
1851 when the Westmoreland club again
came 10 the rescue and offered the organ
ization quarters in the upper story OF
the clubhouse.
Last June the society removed into its
present home. since which time the bust
ness of the organization has assumed
methods Of precision and regularity more
in accord with it's main objects and pur-
poses than ever before.
During the past year the library has
been increased by 1868 titles. including
books presented to the society, maya
zines and pamphlets. About eighty
books and pamphlets were presented by
General ]. Watts De Peyster, of New
York The catalogue of the books in
a.. &c
plete. shows the number OF volumes to
be about 1000, besides some 5000 pam
phlets. Many OF these are very valuable
and some of them very early editions.
The msrszine.
The Executive Committee deemed it
expedient to publish a magazine contain
ing a variety Of subjects of original
historical value The first number OF
this. which will be quarterly was issued
in July last
The presidents report dwelt at some
length upon the Importance Of preserv-
ing the great amount OF original mate
rial for history, which is accessible in
this State above all others. Ii is sug-
gested that the society has strong claims
upon the Legislature for an appropria
ton TO be expended for the publishing
and editing Of much Of this valuable
material
other historical societies were cited.
and IL was explained how they received
appropriations from the States in which
they are located. Among those named
were the societies Of the States Of
Kansas. New Mexico. New Jersey and
many others. which received an annual
appropriation, each of from $500 to
5000
or these the most remarkable says the
report. is the Historical Society OF Wis
consin. which has the most complete
library OF the history of the States in
the United States. In the first annual
report Of the Executive Committee of
this society IL is stated that but three
efficient historical societies OF our coun-
try. those Of New York, Maine, and
Virginia. remained unrepresented in their
library or list Of exchanges" This society
receives from the State about $4,000 per
annum. No attempt has been made at
political interference with this large
appropriation.
''In the history OF our society" reads
the report there have been repeated
propositions TO the Executive Commit
tee 10 make application TO the State
for aid In this work. and 1t seems
propitious time tina, this matter be called
TO the attention Of our present Legisla-
ture."
Members snd Funds.
The society now has fifty life mem
bers and 626 annual members OF these
$50 Joined since the last annual meeting
The total addition since the last annual
meating represents net income OF
1854
The treasurer's report shows that the
receipts Of the society for the last wear
were S.074a2 and the expenses S3.H2l6
leaving a balance in hand Of 81. S0274.
Of which sl,7s2 Is on deposit bearing
interest. or the receipts last year 1902 On
were the gifts OF two kindred societies
OF ladies. $40 being sent through Mrs.
w. w. Henry. by the ALTERNATE Chan
ter OF Daughters OF the Revolution, and
SS27 90 received through Mrs James H.
Dooley. president from the O'd Dominion
Chapter OF the Daughters OF the Pevolu-
ton. Hearty thenks are rendered these
ladies for their generous and timely
aid.
R~cis'ered Ponds.
Continuing. the president said that in
connection with the financial history
OF the society he had received from
Dr. Barney. Its former treasurer. some
Interesting papers, one Of them. a reso-
tuition I'm the handwriting Of Mr. Gusta-
vus A. Myers and signed by him and by
A. a. Morson. Thomas II. Ellis Thomas
It. Giles. Andrew Johnston. and George
w Randolph authorizing the treasurer
''to, and for the use and benefit of said
society. 20 sell. assign. and transfer TO
any person or persons whomsoever all of
the registered bonds or certificates Of
debt OF the State Of Virginia standing in
the name OF said society on the books OF
the Second Auditor. and amounting 10
gSlS' and also all the bonds or certificates
OF debt OF the city Of Richmond stand