The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-22
THE HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.
Highly Interesting Annual Meeting Of
The Historical Society.
MEMBERSHIP RAPIDLY INCREASING
Many Valuable Books, Manuscripts and
Pictures Donated and Loaned to the
Society During the Year-instruct-
i've Papers Read Election of
Officers.

The Virginia Historical Society held
its annual meeting al the building OF the
society last night, which was well at
tended. Mr.. Joseph Bryan. the president
of the organization. in calling the meet
ing to oroer, stated that the bylaws
prescribed that the annual meeting be
held on the second Thursday Of Decem-
Der. An attempt was made TO hold this
year the meeting at the fixed time, but
that on that occasion quorum failed 10
matorialzc. Mr. Bryan then read his
annual report to the society. which was
as follows
PRESIDENTS REPORT.
Mr.. Joseph Bryan. president of the So
ciety. submitted his annual report for the
past year The report showed that there
have been ninety-four additions TO the
membership Of the society since the !a ,s
report OF this number FIVE were life
mcmbers. The present membership Is
63 life and 102 annual members. The total
membership is 765, an increase in mex
membership over last year Of IL.
Daring the year additions to the library
in books, pamphlets manuscripts, ana
pictures have been numerous or BOOKS
and pamphlets the society has received
.i6O titles during that time Among these
are an Interesting Collection of pamph-
ietse on religious Subjects and in connec-
zion with the Southern Confederacy pre-
senteu by Colonel Thomas II. Ellis. OF
Washington. ID. C., and fun set OF the
Encyclopedia Dictionary, presented by
Mr. Edward W. James. Gift Of books
OF extraordinary value was The forty
four volumes Of the Royal historian
Manuscripts Commission. made TO the
society by the British Government AT the
instance Of the Hon. Thomas +. Bayard,
Ambassador of the United states - the
10 inf atrfEr n
ciety of the gift MI Bayard stated that
n Was an exceptional compliment, as such
societies as the Virginia Historical So
ciety were not within the purview OF the
law regulating the distribution of these
\ books and no other society except the
Virginia Historical Society had been or
is likely TO be made the recipient OF
them"
Besides these gifts, Mr.. Charles Wallace,
Of Richmond, has offered TO loan 10 lhe
society a rare and valuable collection or
books on American and Virginia history.
Stil another addition TO the Societ. OF
much interest were the manuscript min
utes of the House OF Delegate Il Virginia
for the session OF lif6. the llrst after
1.-THE Organization OF the state or virginia
\ Many valuable pictures ana portraits
haVc been received, among which were
eight etchngs Of colonial churches, by
Mr. r.. l.. Traylor. Besides these many
Interesting ana valuable portraits. pant
ings, sketches. and photographs have
been given or loaned TO the society
TO MAKE 1T FIRE-PROOF.
During the past year an engineer was
engaged to examine the building of the
society with "A view 10 making II IRE
proof. lie reported that the walls were
unusually thick and IN excellent condl-
ton, and amply strong 10 bear the IN
creased weight of the iron construction
The estimated cost of this Improvement
which is deemed especially important so
as TO have the building "a saie deposit
for valuable relics and manuscripts Is
about $500. and the additional expense
for steam-heating apparatus would IN
crease the cost about 500
During the coming year the publication
committee proposes 10 complete the pup
lcation of the series of papers relating
10 Bacon's Rebellion. This Will include
the first report made by the three Eng
lsn commissioners sent over 10 inquire
the causes Of the lnsurrection.
recent careful examination by the
committee of the manuscript COLLECTIONS
OF the Virginia Historical Society show
that he society possesses material OF the
highest historical value ample enough
10 furnish the magazine with contents
FOR number of years. and this without
drawing upon the large manuscripts OF
the society. which should properly be
published each in separate volume.
THE TREASUREk'S REPORT.
With the presidents report Is included
the report Z the treasurer OF the society.
" hich showed that the total receipts for
the year were S3.s35O2. expenditures,
S39sl G.. fefic!t Sl56.65.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
The election of officers for the ensuing
year was then proceeded with, and on
motion OF Mr.. Roosevelt Page, II was
decided that committee OF 1--WE be APP
pointed to prepare a list OF officers, and
the chair appointed as members o. that
committee Mr.. Roosevelt Page. Judge
George L. Christian. Jackson Guy. Rev.
}. Gavin Stewart, and X. a. Lancas-
ter. Jr.
The committee then retired. and pre-
pared the following list OF officers. who
were elected:
President. Joseph Bryan. of Richmond.
Vice rcsidents-Dr. J. l.. NJ. Curry.
OF Washington, ID. c.; Archer Anderson,
OF Richmond. Va; William =. Palmer,
NJ d., Of Richmond.
Corresponding Secretary-Philip a.
Bruce. OF Richmond. Va.
Recording Sccretary-D. C. Richardson,
OF Richmond. Va.
Treasurer--R. T. Brooke. of Richmond.
Executive Committee-Lyon G. Tyler
OF Williamsburg: l.. V. Valentine G.
Y. Meredith, Barton III. Wise. William q.
Stanard, Il. y. Munford. II. Ii. Gaines
William II. Palmer. Virginius Newton. r.
l. Traylor. OF Richmond: Charles w
Kent. OF the University OF Virginia, ana
l.. c. Vcnable. OF Petersburg.
Mr. Bryan briefly thanked the mem
bers for the honor conferred upon him.
ard spoke of the great responsibility
resting upon the president OF the So
cietN ne urged upon the members q
change OF the constitution, that no pre-
siding officer be elected for more than
two or three terms.
Hon. Thomas r. Bayard. Ambassador
Of the United States TO the Court OF 81.
ber.
- not1oa ~ Mr.. n II. Cainas. the