Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1899-01-05
MIR, COURTENAY'SJ LETTER,


NEwRr, November 2S.--Tho Rov. II.
b. Browne, President Historical Society
of tho South Carolina Conference, Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, South-Revorcnd
and Dear Sir: Your recent eorrespon-
donco with mo in behalf of tho Historical
Society of your Conference has interested
INC very much and, agreeably to my pro-
misc, l now make contribution, which
[ hope will promote tho worry important
objects you have in view.
First. | express you package of his
torical books and pamphlets, many of
which arc not readily purchasable,
which hopo will ho found interesting
to your members.
Second. l sond you, as a curious and
most interesting relic of far off times, q
fac similo reproduction of "Magna
Charta," carefully copied from the origi-
nal document in tho archives of the
British government.
Third. L notice, with great satisfac-
ton, that you have reserved place for
medals in your collection. Addison
writes: ''Wo ought to look on medals
struck from dies as SO many monuments
consigned to postority, that may posi-
bly, last when other memorials of tho
samo ago have disappeared "a kind Of
gift to such as lie hid in the depths of
futurity."
[ deliver into your custody two his
toric medals for your proposed collec-
ton; ono is a replica in bronze of tho
massive gold medal voted by the United
Statos Congress in honor of Capt Dun
can N. Ingraham, United States Navy, of
South Carolina, commanding the ship
st. Louis in Smyrna harbor, July 2, 1853,
for rescuing Martin KooZSa from the
Austrian authorities, he claiming Ameri-
can protection. TO enforce his demand
it will be remembered that Capt. Ingra-
ham ran out his shotted gun, and pro
pared for action In Tho Immediate pres
ence of two Austrian war vessels of supe-
rior weight of motal.
In tho presence of moro rocont naval
exhibitions of high courage and noble
daring it is worry proper to recall q naval
exploit which happened forty-fvo years
ago; especially so as a pretontious naval
writer has entirely overlooked this naval
incident in his recently published naval
book.
Tho other medal commentaries the
centennial of incorporation of tho City
of Charleston, which city was among
tho first, if not tho first, chartered
municipality in tho American Union.
Both medals aro in morocco castings,
which will preserve them without abra-
sion for long years.
For somo reason numismatics SOON not
to claim attention among us. The beau-
tiful art which has transmitted through
tho centuries "Cpsar's image and super-
scription" to our own times is rarely
utilized. Our Revolutionary Gontennials
all passed without such records. True,
tho occurring dates woro in unpropitious
years, but there is no reason why tho
omission may not DO supplied now. A
series of medals commemorative of tho
"Rcsistanco to tho Stamp Act" "Throw-
ing tho toa ovorboard," in tho day timo
without Disgusting as rcd indiana, hattie
anniversaries from Fort Moultrio tc
Kings Mountain and Coupons and down
to Eutaw, as we'll as civic events in Caro-
lima history arc worthy of tho die sinkor's
art. Such Il numislnatic collection
would have significance now, and would
increase in value in after years. If in
these present timos
cart and lottors do not cheor,
Still far in the depths of history
The light IS shining clear"
Kindly excuse these perhaps too ex-
tended remarks, and wishing yon great
success in your laudablo work, ] am,
reverend and dear sir, your worry obcdionL
servant, WILLIAM A. C0URrENAY.
Success comes to those who porsuvere.
If you tako Hoods Sarsaparilla faith
fully and porsistontly, according to diroc-
tions, yon may depend upon euro when
n cure Ia possible.
leeds PILLS arc easy TO takc, easy to