The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-07-25
A VALUABLE COLLECTION.
Interesting Batch Of Papers Sent 10 Ylf-
sinia Through Coy. O'Ferrall.
WERE STOLEERROM The CAPITOL HELE
virginia IL Indebted to MIR. Moorhei"
Storey, OF Boston. for Their Return
They VIII bc Turned over to
the state Library.

| In March last doNciloi - -, =, -.
celved a letter from Mr.. Mooreiield S'o,'y,
counsellor at law, Boston, stA,ins 10
| some wears ago he had been retained ny
| tho state Librarian to bring suit IN Dc
| half of virginia against an auctioneer III
| Roston who was advertising for sale at
| auction as the property OF CERTAIN
| lady. certain documents which were De
| ueved 10 have been stolen from the Capl-
| toll. Richmond. I'm 1865. The SUIT was
| defended Many points were raised IL
| was difficult TO procure evidence tnat INC
papers were ever upon the Virginia library
| files. other than the fact that they were
| addressed TO officers of the state. tlnany
Mr.. Storey was instructed to abandon tho
suit. He did not, however. fully obey
instructions and continued the case until
| he succeeded I'm effectlng settlemen'
| by the terms of which one-half the doc
uments were delivered 10 him, and these
were forwarded 10 the Governor. Mr..
story expressing "the hope that thew NAV
now find permanent resting place IN
| tho archives OF Virginia.
TIlc GOVERNORS REPLY.
| Governor O'Ferrall replied as follows;
| mr. Mooreheld Storey. Boston, Mass:
| Dear sir.-Wll you be kind enough 10
send me copy Of your agreement with
the State Librarian Of Virginia i'm refer
ence to the recovery of certain documents
which were stolen. as was believed. from
| the Capitol In Richmond I'm 1865.
Tho records and files here give me no
| information. and as the agreement was
doubtless made prior 10 January l. lNl'
when my term as Governor commenced,
l have no knowledge OF IL.
| The documents you forwarded 70 me are
| still I'm my possession and I am anxious
To understand everything in connection
with tho arrangement 10 which ] have
alluded before receiving the documents
I'm the name Of the state"
THE GOVERNORS ACTION.
| When this letter was written Mr.. Storey
was in Europe. on his return recently ne
wrote the Governor that he had no agree
ment in writing. and after giving detail
| cd account Of all that transpired In con-
! nection with the whole matter he con-
| cluded by saying that for his services
/ he proposed "to ask nothing save what
was paid at the outset 800"
Governor O'Ferrall will now receive tho
| documents on behalf OF the State and
| turn them over to the Librarian. When
| the Legislature meets he Will lay all the
facts before that body and ask that suit
abe action may be taken and proper
recognition given 10 the valuable services
| and generous course Of Mr.. Storey.
CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION.
The collection which has been sent TO
Governor O'Ferral contains in all thirty
three different papers, some OF which
are very valuable on account OF their
age and the high rank of the writer, as
well as the party 10 whom the letter Is
written. Among these letters are thirteen
written by General Lafayette TO different
parties, several Of them being addressed
| 10 Governor Jefferson.
One OF tho letters, which Is addressed
"To His Excellency Governor Jefferson,
Richmond" is endorsed on the back as
follows: Delivered Wmsburg 18th March.
1851. 81 past II p. NJ" The letter read
"a follows:
Williamsburg. March Is, 1871.
| Sir.-From n conversation with the
| Quarter Master of the state find that
there will be a great deficiency OF horses
and that none Of those which have been
provided can serve for the purposes OF
| our artillery Under these circumstances
and in the full conviction that transpor-
| tation Of heavy artillery and stores was
necessary 10 the expedition, I thought
that oxen might in some cases render the
same services. and the Quarter Master
was OF opinion that the importing or
them could be more easily done.
have therefore given to him, tho
| Quarter Master. 4 retinue OF saddle
horses. field artillery horses and horse
|
pensed with. and instead OF the large
number Of draft horses that were neces-
sary both for our navy ordnance and
that Of the French have requested him
10 import 200 oxen
I am very unhappy. sir, 10 think that
my arrival in this state IS accompanied
| with a necessity to disturb the inhabi-
tants, But your Excellency will judge
! that a Siege operation Cannot be carried
| without great expenses and great means
/ Of transportaton-it IS with the greater
Reluctance that I sign any imperillng
warrant. but Hope Ny delicacy in this
Matter will be such as TO Render me
worthy OF the appreciation OF the State.
| Enclosed your Excellency will find
| Copies of letters Relating 20 an affair
| which I am very little acquainted with.
I beg leave 70 ask your Excellency's opin-
ION upon the conduct I am 20 hold IN
this instance. and would he glad to have
a complete sat Of the Militia or other
/ laws OF tho State. that | may not inter-
| fere with the Rights Of or through igno-
rance Be deficient in regard to the Civil
/ Authority.
with the Highest Respect Have tho
/ Honor 10 be
Your Excellency's most obedient
LAFAYETTE.
PSI Request Your Excellency 10
Return mo the letter ard copy.
A rather lengthy document Is a letter
sent by the Board OF Trade and Planta-
tions. dated Whitehall. August S0th. III.
II bears the following signatures: Suffolk
]. Chetwyne. Charles Cooke. I. Pulteney.
| Martin Blackam.
APPOINTMENT FOR VIM. BIRD.
| letter from King George III orders
the appointment OF VIM. Bird. the foun-
der Of the city OF Richmond, as a mem
Der of tho Council. II reads as follows:
George R.-Trusty and Well-beloved
| We greet you we'll We being satisfied of
tho Loyalty. Integrity and Ability OF
| our Trusty and Wel-beloved William
Byrd. Esquire, have thought hereby 10
| signify To You Our VIII and Pleasure,
that. forthwith upon receipt OF these
| Presents. you do swear and admit him
the said William Byrd TO be OF our Colo
nv OF Virginia. IN the room OF John Lewis
Esquire deceased. And for so doing this
shall be your Warrant. And so We bid
| you farewell"
"Given at Our Court at Kensington
| this Twenty-Fourth day OF June 1854 in
the twenty Eighth Year Of Our Reign.
by His Majesty's Command,
]. ROBINSON.
civilian Byrd Esq. 20 DO OF tho Coun-
| ell OF Virginia"
The letter bears the seal OF the king.
and on its back has tho following en-
| dorsement:
ITO Our Trusty and wel-beloved Rob