The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1900-08-03
STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

/ 10 tne fuDilC.
The Legislature of Mississippi, by al
act approved March I'd. 1900. author
lied the appointment NJ Historical
Commission of five members. "whosC
duty IL shall be, under such rules, reg.
ulations, and plan OF procedure as il
may adopt, and without expense to
the State for their labor, TO make a
full. detailed, and exhaustive exami-
nation Of all sources and materials,
manuscript, documentary, and record,
Of the history Of Mississippi, from
the earliest times, whether in the
State or elsewhere" This includ es
"the records of Mississippi troops in
all wars in which they participated,
and also OF the location and present
condition OF hattlehelds. historic
houses and buildings, and other
places and things of historic interest
and importance in the State" The
act also provides that the results Of
these Investigations shall be embodied
in detailed report to the next ses.
sion OF the Legislature with an ac.
count Of the then condition of histor-
ical work in the State"
The act. so important to the best
interests OF Mississippi, was the re-
suit of u widespread sentiment on the
part OF the people of the State in IA
vor of preserving and perpetuating
the sources OF their history, many OF
which are being lost without any hope
Of recovery. The report is intended
to convey fully and in detail. WHAT
historical materials are still in exist.
ence and WHERE they may be found,
with such other information about
condition, accessibility, subject their
matter, ETC., as will form a basis for fur.
ther legislative action on the subject.
Under the authority Of this act |
have appointed the following gentle
men as commissioners to discharge
this arduous labor of love" for the
State DR.. Franklin l.. Riley, Univer.
sity Of Mississippi, Chairman; Col.
}. L. Power. jackson. Mississippi
Bishop Chas. B. Galloway, Jackson,
Mississippi; Hon. Gerard c. Brandon,
Natchez, Mississippi and Capt z. X.
Mayors. Scranton, Mississippi.
These gentlemen have entered upon
the discharge Of their duties with a
full sense of the Importance as well
az the patriotic character OF the task
assigned to them. La order to give
efficiency in their efforts, | now appeal
with confidence to the public press
and to MisslssippanS and investiga.
tors everywhere for aid and coopera-
tion In this great work. The diligence
and zeal of the commissioners will be
of little avail IN the discharge of their
laborious duties. unless they meet
with prompt assistance from those
who have information bearing upon
the history Of the State.
There are individuals In every part
of Mississippi and in other States who
have knowledge Of facts that would
be acceptable in this connection.
There are thousands of hat.faded
manuscripts and mutiated publica.
ti0ns, old letters. papers. diaries,
muster rolls, Journals. notes, maps,
books, etc.,-that would throw new
light upon many of the dark places in
our history and give cOloring to i'm.
pOrtant facts which have faded out Of
the public mind, In the cellars, gar.
gets or old trunks In the homes OF
participants or their decendants in
the various wars in which the people
OF Mississippi have taken part. there
still remains, half forgotten, perhaps,
many valuable papers and relics OF
these struggles. The defendants of
the early settlers of the State will,
doubtless, find In some obscure corner
of the old homestead many valuable
historical materials that will amply
reward their research. 70 all such
| appeal with an carnestness be-
gotten Of the pressing needs of
this great work undertaken by the
Mississippi Historical Commission.
By all means institute close research
without delay and report results to
any member of the Commission, giv.
ing the location, extent, aud present
ownership OF all such materials of
which you may have any knowledge,
or which may come within the range
of your inquiry. If the owners will
consent tn give them To the State His.
t0rical Society to be placed in its ar.
chicves for preservation and for the
useDf future investigators. please no.
tfI3 the Chairman Of the Commission
of the same also beSpeak for the
the aid and corporation
OF the press of Mississippi, which is
ever ready tn respond to all efforts to
advance the honor and glory of the
State.
Mississippi, in common with the
other Southern States, is entering up-
on a great historical renaissance aud
the people Of the South are beginning
to realize as never before that There
is nothing wrong with our history, |
but in the writing Of it," The pur. |
pose Of the State Legislature and of
the Historical Society in the creation
and appointment Of tins Commission
is to provide the most effective means
for the correction of this defect
Correspondence should be directed
to the Chairman 0r to any member of
the Commission.
With a sincere desire and D conf.
dent hope that this great work will
rebound to the honor OF Mississippi,
am Very Respectfully,
STEVEN. ID. LEE,
President "f the Mississippi State
Historical Society.
An act to authorize the appoint.
nent of history commission, to reg.
llate the powers and duties theIeOf