The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-10-16
JAMESTOWN ISLAND. 4
Paper by American Science and
Historical Preservation Society.


------.- *
Paper by American Science and
Historical Preservation Society.
Below is given an extract from pages
as-1ol of the Ninth Annual Report, re-
Gently submitted to tho Legislature OF
the State Of New York, by the American
scanlcaa and Historic Preservation Society,
OF which the late Hon. Andrew H Green,
Father Of Greater New York." was
president; Hon. Walter s, Logan being
bis successor, In The presidency: Geo.
3. Mcclellan. Seth Low. Edward NJ.
Grout. John Bigelow. Cornelius n. Bliss,
James c. Carter, f. ". Dcvoe. G. S.
Francis, Morris Is. Jesup. J. Pierpont
Morgan. A. L. Orr, Elihu Root and Bishop.
Potter. vlce-prcsidents: Edward Haga.-
man Hail. OF the New York Tribune,
secretary. This is the. extract:
The lapse OF another twelve-rn onths
brings US a year nearer to the three
Ishundredth4 anniversary OF the first per-
manent planting Of Anglo. Saxon civili-.
"a tion in the New World at Jamestown.
VA. May 18th. 16o7. and strengthens
our conviction OF the desirability OF Fed
eral action for the preservation OF that
uniquely interesting cite IT would be
unreasonable to expect the national gov
eminent to take under its protection all
the historical sites in the country. as
was observed by thu Honorable Sec
rotary OF War in disappearing the propo-
sition to create another Federal mil itarys
park at Apponla ttox. Virginia. But the
Federal Government may rcasonab bly, be
expected TO make a judicious selection
of the most significant localities and II
there BIO adequate reason. do its fair,
share In preserving them as sources OF
national pride and inspirations to good
citizenship. III ta
TT int To- IL, a
class with any other historical sitc in
America. 1t has no duplicate; 1t Is
unique. It is tho place where the
civilization which overspreads and do1ni-
mates the continent first took root. It.
is the cradle Of English speaking Amer
lea. Its significance IS not sectional
or local. We may not even limit it.
birthplace Of English-speaking Canada as
we'll as English speaking United States.
Its significance Is at least continental
and, to the extent that the nation sprung
therefrom excrts worldwide influence;
It is-tuniversal. 1T would seem us II
this in itself We're a compelling reason
| for favorable action by Congress looking
TO the purchase OF Jamestown Island.
But there are other reasons:
III the second place. as we stated IN
our very full description OF Jamestown
Isin our annual report OF 1902 Jamestown
Island is being washed away gradually
blythe James River, at the rate OF about
six feet Per annum. The short gov
eminent breakwater oraithe upstream
tain, It's integrity. Already. foundations
OF tn pioneer settlement have been en-
quilted in tho steam and lost forever. It
is not within the means OF private own
ershlp adequately to protect the island
from physical dismembermen and event
ual oblIteration. Neither is the State
OF Virginia in such financial condition
as to warrant the undertaking. AS We
have said before. the site is national
heritage historically, and the nation,
should protect it. =
In the third place, the island is q
buried treasure house OF unknown his
torical waltz. The printed records Of
the plan and extent of ancient James
town are very! obscure and unsatlsfactory.
On the other hand, there Is abundant
evidence that the scientific excavation OF
tho island would 'reveal facts relatively
as interesting as the excavation OF the
ruins OF Pompcii. There are traces OF
former habitation all over the island
not only within the twenty-five acres
given BY Mr.. and Mrs. Edward Everett
Barney 20 the Association for the Pres.
ervaton Of Virginia Antiquities but II, IN
many other places throughout the 800
acres composing the island. During tho
past year foundations have been uncov-s
cred both within the outside Of tho little
enclosure at the western end Of the
island confirming the opinion heretofore
expressed by lis that the soil OF James,
town Is practically nm unopened book OF
revelations. scientifically and fully car
rlcd out under government auspices. tho
exploration OF the island would undoubt-
cdiy throw a flood OF light on the his
tory OF the settlement and cause historic
ans to revise their estimates concerning
its extent.
A fourth reason for immediate action
by tho government is the approachGof the
Jamestown anniversary, This ami
versary will be celebrated In Virginia In
1907 by ali exposition, the importance OF
which is overshadowed at present by the
diversion Of popular attention to the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St,
Louis. In the preparations for the
jamestown Exposition, which Will be
held at Norfolk, Va, nothing has yet
been ACCOMPLISHED toward bringing
jamestown Island itself within It's scope.
Not ia do olwould DO like giving a play
without tha title character II the Fed,
zeral government does not take the island
and dedicate 1t to the dignlhed and hon
Eorable purpose Of an historical reser-
walton, It il liable to fall into the hands
OF spectators and be converted mo
sideshow to the lIxpositlon-the terminal
of excursion boats or trolley lines. with
merry -go-rounds and all the other mere-
Etricous attractions Of such resort,
There is a fifth consideration, OF 9
more local character. which perhaps It
may not be inappropriate to SUGGEST.
We have referred elsewhere to the dis
approval by the Secretary Of, War Of
the proposition to establish Federal
military park at Appomattox, IT Ils pos
sible that all the considerations moving
the secretary to that decision were not
mentioned. Battlehelds suggest painful.
as we'll as glorious memories, The hiss.
torio events which occurred at Appomattcx
arc recalled by the participants therein
with diverse emotions and situated
where It is, II Is easy to conceive that
a delicate sense Of consideration might
have contributed to tho secretary de-
cision, However that may have been.
there can be no difference In the ssentl-
1nents Of pride with which Jamestown -
=. .,nr3na ia every mart of the cOuntry.5