Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-14

New Members EIccted-Vniunbie
Gifts Reported-Othcr business

The monthly meeting OF the Executive
Committee OF the Virginia Historical
Society was held on Saturday evening
last at the society's building The mem
bers present were: Mcssrs. Bryan, Mum
ford, Gaines, Traylor. Tyler, Valentine.
Wise, Brooke, and Bruce.
The following persons and institutions
were elected annual members: Mrs. Vlr-
ginia cabell Rugg,es. Wilmington, Dell
University of Indiana. bloomington ihu.'
Charles l.. Pullen, New Orleans, Id MISS
Elizabeth Lyman Randolph, Kingston. II.
L.: Theodore +. Rogers, Norfolk, va /;
John II. James. Urbanna. o.; A. III. Pugh'
Cincinnati. O.: ID. +. Gooch, Covington,
KY. Richard u. Tunstall. Norfolk, va
Iredell Jenkins, Norfolk, Va; John Il.
Harris, Jr., Harrisonburg, Va; Newberry
Library, Chicago, Ill.
The corresponding secretary reported
the reception of very fine bust OF Jeffer-
son Davis the gift of Major Mercer
Slaughter. A valuable and interesting
gift was also reported III the form OF
two handsomely swords, the
present Of Mr.. Walter f. Sinclair, OF
Washington, d. G. one OF these swords
was formerly that OF Commodore Arthur
Sinclair, presented TO him by his native
C.
services whilst in command of the United
States vessel General pike in an engage
ment with the British fleet on Lake Erie
In the year 1912. The second sword was
that of his son, Passed Midshipman VII
liam Beverley Sinclair, G. ). N, who at
the age of II years gave his life 10 save
that OF sailor from downing at sea-
July 10, 1854, whilst attached TO the Con-
federate States steamer Florida.
The corresponding secretary reported
sales OF publications during the previous
month OF s70.7s. The treasurer reported
that the special endowment fInd ct the
society now amounted 10 Sl,932, exclusive
| OF the fund OF the society In bank, for
current expenses.
VACANCIES FILLED.
Mr.. virginus Newton. of Richmond,
was elected third vice-president OF the
| society, to fill the vacancy caused by the
| death of the lamented DIR. William Z.
| Palmer; Mr. Edward w. James. the dis
! tingnlshed antiquarian, formerly or Nor
| folk, but now OF Richmond. was elected
| TO the vacancy In the Executive Com
| mittee, caused by the election OF Mr..
| Newton TO the vice-presidency. Resolu-
| tions were adopted In respect to the
memory of DR.. Palmer. In which his ac-
! complshments as man and schoiar
| and his eminent services in promoting
| the interests of the society we're feel
| ingly described
communication was read from the
| executors OF the w. w. Corcoran estate.
calling attention to the fact that among
| the effects OF Mr.. Corcoran were the
steorotyped plates OF the Madison state
| Papers, which Mr.. Corcoran presented
| to the society in 1885, but which had never
| been removed Mr. Corcoran valued the
4 ,ro nd had ended
their sale to the National Government.
| the proceeds to be devoted to the erection
| OF a fire-proof building for the protee-
| ton and preservation or the BOOKS,
papers and documents belonging to the
society. The executors wrote that the
plates had been found, on examination,
| to be In fine condition. The correspond
! ing secretary was Instructed 10 inquire
| as TO the present value of the plates and
| the probability OF selling them TO the
government for the benefit OF the society.
TO HELP THE SOCIETY.
A letter was read from the Old Do
| mton Chapter of the Daughters Of the
! American Revolution Qn reply 10 an
| application OF the Executive Committee.
| that the chapter should contribute TO
fund to be devoted to the fitting up OF
the rooms OF the society. stating that
| the special object of the chapter had
| been the endowment OF the virginia HIS
torical Society, but that at the last meet
| ing March l4th). 1t was decided that the
/ chapter work in cooperation with the
| Virginia Historical Society for whatever
| would be thought most necessary Tor the
| good OF the latter hoping that the amount
contributed each year would never be
| less than $50" A letter wa3 read from
the Great Bridge Chapter (Norfolk, en-
closing check for 500. to be expended
| in copying the first volume Of the Lower
Norfolk records. now at Portsmouth, Va,
the manuscripts 10 be deposited among
the archives OF the Virginia Historical
| Society.
The library committee were instructed
TO keep full and accurate statistics or
| the number Of visitors to the society's
| building each day and evening after
8 p. NJ, separately. and the number OF
| books loaned out TO members on their
order, and make regular monthly reports
| OF these statistics at the meetings or
the Executive Committee. The committee
| were authorized to subscribe to the pub
LEGATION OF the Christ Church Register
| (Aiiddlesex). which the Colonial Danes
propose issuing.