General D. H. Maury then read the following as the
Fifth Annual Report of the Executive Committee of the Southern Historical Society, for Year Ending October 31st, 1877.
The Executive Committee have to report that during the past year they have endeavored to keep in view the great objects of the trust committed to their charge; that they have steadily worked for the interests of the Society amid some peculiar difficulties, and that there has been most gratifying progress in our important work. The acknowledgments we have made from time to time attest that the kind interest of our friends has steadily added to our
MATERIAL FOR A TRUE HISTORY OF THE WAR,
until we have now a collection which is widely recognized as one of priceless value. The Secretary has received from all parts of this country and from Europe numbers of letters seeking information concerning events of the war, and in almost every instance he has been able to furnish from our archives the information sought. We have given to a number of writers facts, narratives, &c., to aid them in elucidating the truth of our Confederate history, and we have the most gratifying assurances that our publications are looked to as high authority, not only in the South, but also at the North and in Europe.
Our friends have given us with cheerful alacrity material which could readily be sold for thousands of dollars, but which is of "inestimable" value to the cause of truth; and yet there remains in private hands much that ought to be on our shelves.
PUBLICATIONS.
Our monthly has received the heartiest commendation from the press generally, and warm endorsation from leading Confederates, while we number among our constant readers some of the most distinguished Federal soldiers and some of the ablest military critics in Europe.
As to the character of our publications we have steadily pursued the policy announced in our last annual report, and unanimously approved by our last annual meeting; and we are gratified to
