The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-15
THE J1MEsroWN cELEBRArIoNs,
why Should They Not be Held on May
cath, The True Anniversary.

An open letter 10 the president and
william and Mary in Virginia. and TO the
Association for the Preservation Of Viz
ginla Antiquities:
The writer was OF those who made tho
pilgrimage in the POcahOntas on yester-
day to James town, 10 view what remains
OF the spot whore THIS nation had its be-
ginnings. Great praise is due both 90 the
authorities OF the college and % the la-
dies Of the association for the revival OK
these celebrations and the care of tho
place, and my humble thanks are CRATE
fully acknowledged for yesterday de-
lights. The extremely unfayorable wealth
er prevented the participation IN that
days enjoyment OF probably more than
five hundred persons from Richmond and
other points who desired 20 unite in this
celebration. This fact, considered in con-
nection with memories Of unfortunate clr-
cumstances or conditions accompanying
others Of the recent celebrations held on
the 18th Of May, leads me 20 conclude that
II may not be inopportune 10 make now
this plea for fixing upon May oath as the
date for these celebrations In future. The
following Is a brief statement OF the his
torical basis OF this plea: All OF the au-
day OF May. 1907. old style. was the time
OF the arrival Of the ships OF the colo
nlsts off jamestown, but the Hon. George
Percy. 10 whom we are indebted for tho
most circumstantal account which we
have Of the doings OF the colonists from
April 25th. old style when they entered
the capes OF Virginia, 10 May lith. old
style. when the landing az jamestown
was made is very definite and conclusive
IN his statement fixing the 18th as the
date Of the landing and Of the beginnings
OF the plantation or colony az that place.
They probably arrived there in the evcn-
ing Of the 18Th spent the night in their
ships. and went ashore on the morning
Of the llth The statements OF the other
authorities are az no time in conflict with
his on this point but are simply less de-
finite. (See Purchas Edition OF 1920 VOL
", pages 1888 and 1905; John Smiths
Works. Arber's Edition. pages Xvi. 8. oi,
and 2s-. Alexander Browns Genesis OF tho
United states. pages I6l and 1920. Now
the anniversary of May "a. 1907. old style.
IS May 18th. present or new style-thc er-
ror az the beginning OF the seventeenth
century amounting 20 approximately ten
days. Every school boy knows that
George Washington was born on the nth
dav OF February. old style. and we ccie-
brate now the true anniversary Of that
date. the pa Of February-the error by
the close OF the first quarter OF tae eigh-
taenth century having become approx
matelv eleven days. I am aware that tho
celebrations on 1907. IN 1857. and those
within more recent years have been held
on May 18Th. and understand the power
Of presidents. especially In Virginia. but
] respectfully submit now for your con-
sideration and determination the proposi-
ton that May 2ith be fixed upon as the
date for your annual celebrations here
after az jamestown. as that Is indisputs-
bly, the true anniversary date OF the be-
ginning OF the first permanent English
settlement I'm the territory now within
the limits Of the United states.
RO. LEE TRAYLOR.
Richmond. Va. May II. 1897.