The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-22
VA. HISTORICAL SOCIETY
HoW AND III WHOM IT WAS NE
YITED IN 1Sl7.
Interesting Facts Regarding the Early
Days Of That Institution--lts Hard
Struggles to Maintain Itself.
The Virginia Historical and philosophi-


puspose in the State Capitol. The pure.
upright and towering John Marshall was
its first president, and served as such
until his decease. Benz. Watkins Leigh
was the chairman OF its standing commit
tee. Those who wish to know anything
OF it's proceedings are almost entirely
dependent upon it's only small publication;
but by a diiigent search in newspapers
and other records its whole career can be
made out. At present, however, special
attention is desired to It's revival In lsi7.
This revival has been a good deal writ
ten and spoken about: but always In a
manner that was incomplete and partial
In every sense of that word.
When one has rendered. or endeavored
to render, to the public services that are
regarded as creditable, and finds that
from any cause they are overlooked or
forgotten, It is perfectly legitimate FOR
him to recall them, and even his EFFORTS
TO be used. for the purpose or refreshing
the memories of some, and OF imparting
facts TO others who may need them.
The SUM cuique rule is the only FAIR
one, and some Of the facts to be pre-
sented rest upon the recollection OF the
writer, but most OF them are matters or
record.
Though the small volume containing
vice-President Cushing's annual address
and a few documents is the only pub
LEGATION put forth by the Virginia His
torical and Philosophical Society. other
publications were made for II. in form
which was no burden upon its meagre
finances and secured It a good circula-
ton. Mr. James F. Heath was its sec
rotary and was the first editor of the
Southern Literary Messenger. Mr..
Thomas w. White, the founder or that
MAGAZINE. offered with his characteristic
enterprise to make it the organ OF the
society, and to publish such of its pro-
ceedings and contributions as its standing
committee might direct. This liberal offer
was thankfully accepted. and the Messen-
ger fulfilled its engagement Yet, not
withstanding this great advantage and its
superior auspices, the society lanSuished'
and in 1899 it's life was suspended
| In 1913. after Mr. Whites death, the
writer purchased the Messenger ,when
| the superb NJ +. Maury was editing II
| from Washington city,. and owned, edited
and published IL for over four years
from August, 1si3 TO October, lS47, ooth
| inclusive. During the whole period OF
| his management OF the Messenger ne not
| only retained its conspicuous historical
| features but endeavored. with his own pen
and those Of its contributors, TO impress
them more deeply.
The Historical Society expired In 1899.
and no effort was made to revive II until
1886. but he assiduously paved the way
for its resurrection during the three pre-
ceding years. AS early as OCTOBER, Iff
he commenced his earnest appeal 10 the
| State LEGISLATURE to make suitable pro-
| vision for collecting and preserving lht
colonial records OF Virginia. and 10 senC
abroad as New York and Georgia hac
|
IL was wel-known what valuable uocu
ments could be obtained there, and Mr.
Alexander Brown has amply proved IL
The LEGISLATURE did afterwards SEND al
agent TO England, but limited MS re
searches to documents bearing upon mel
boundaries. That was the time Tor en-
larging that agents powers, so as u
cover the whole ground. as 1t could haV'
been done at a comparatively smah auui
tional expense.
In the anneal above referred to Is tn
,oIlovine massage: 1--WE invite CORE
spondence with all who feel any interes
In this matter. and earnestly recommen
the revival OF the late Virginia Hlstoilca
Society that II may exert its saiu'ai
influence in behalf of this and other use
ful undertakings" That Is, so far as n
Is advised, the first public call tor IN
resuscitation Of that defunct pody: ma
II then been in existence, he wouio nav
invoked its aid. as he did afterwards S
successfulIv. i'm behalf of the Washing
TON monument. Among those VINO re
snonded 20 the invitation for correspond
ence were President John Tyler, Charle
| Campbell. Conway Robinson ana froies
sor George Tucker, who SAID ne iel' III
need of materials whilst he was writih
his Life of Jefferson. ~,
Az soon as II was known that the Ne
York Historical Society (of when ne wa
a corresponding member) had oDtaihe
n copy of Captain John smith I've"
fron Virginia" the editor Of the Messei
ger sent an order Tor an accuia .e .os,,ii
scrint OF II. and published II careiuli
from the manuscript which he receives
With an introduction and some note
2 This namnhlet is regarded as very va
nahIa because II contains the first printt
account of affairs In Virginia that WI
; avor given 10 the world. Whilst II Wa
, In TYNE a few extra copies were strue
OF for sale and distribution
After this the editor commenced serl'
: NJ contributions to the History OF VI
!, o,ria " and continued them in sever
= ,,hars Az length he agreed to Disco
o tinue them. in order to make way Tor u
!. history OF Virginia, which MS irieh
r Charles Campbell had completed ana q
l. e,red TO present TO the public. An on
: was made him TO publish MS WORK
t the Messenger, and give him certa
$ number of copies In separate form' IN
J. nroposal was readily accepted, new w
y was purchased, and the work was ISSUE
e Rut before this work was commence
s and whilst the Contributions were
inc or. there appeared In the Messeng
r for September, 1886 page oio' the io'io'
G ing editorial announcement: "a
n sHistorical Society of Virginia--N
L now ascertained that there WIZ shor,
= he a Historical Society or virginia, ei's,
n according TO the plan adopted by the
b ciety Of Alumni of the UNIVERSITY y,
e H. organ,zation OF an independent sta
K Soc,sty we trust that whatever mo
n nav he adopted will be cordially espous
y NV all and efficiently prosecuted.
II what did this mean? What had IN
Il coc,atv of Alumni to do with this su
r ,ect7 When this shall have been explai
IT ed n will be seen that we have arrive
d as the lawyers say, at the gist OF I
70 action" and perhaps the facts 10
q stated will be new to most or the pre-
-e emf friends of the Historical Society
e. The editor of the Messenger. having a
T. naaIed I'm vain to the Legislature to Sc
lie -, agent abroad as New York and Gee
40 mad done. to obtain the rich and VI
r, nable records relating to her Coion
v, nariod. which were known TO be the
er having earnestly recommended the re
val Of the State Historical Society. WI,
<, ont anv practical response. ana ha'i
n continued TO pave the way In the mann
IN ahove related, was still determined
at make some effort TO remove the reproa
c. which he keenly felt was resting upon
n native State. But he was fearful OF
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