Secretary McCrary seemed disposed to allow our people more privileges than we had ever had before—and that Colonel Scott, who had been put in charge of the archives, seemed to be a gentleman of very liberal views.
We are glad to be able to announce to the Society and to our friends generally, that our Committee has received from General Marcus J. Wright (a gallant soldier of the Army of Tennessee), who has been employed as an agent of the Archive Bureau, a letter, in which he says that the Secretary of War authorizes him to tender any agent of the Southern Historical Society free access to the archives, and the privilege of copying anything needed for historical purposes. This proffer (made voluntarily and without conditions) will be appreciated by our friends.
Of course our Committee have cordially accepted and reciprocated the kind offer. The War Department seems very anxious to complete its files of Confederate documents, and we should be glad to do anything in our power to aid in this, as it is obviously very important that the Confederacy should be fully represented in any publication of documents which may be made. If parties have original MSS. which they are unwilling to part with, we would be very glad to take charge of them until copies could be made, both for our Society and the War Department, when they could be returned to the owners.
The Yellow Fever Scourge has excited wide sympathy, and the response to appeals for help has been general and liberal. We have been especially touched by an appeal from the Louisiana Division of the Army of Northern Virginia Association. This organization (of which Governor Nichols is President) is striving to help its members or their families, who are in need because of this fearful malady, and surely their comrades everywhere will esteem it a privilege to aid them in their noble work. The Virginia Division, Army of Northern Virginia, are moving in the matter, and we appeal to all who may read this to send a contribution.
Remittances may be made direct to John H. Murray, Treasurer, 155 Canal Street, New Orleans, or, if more convenient, we will cheerfully receive and forward any sums that may be sent to our office.
Books Received.
The University Publishing Company, New York, has kindly sent us "Swinton's Army of the Potomac," "Lee's Memoirs of the War of 1776," and "Holmes' History of the United States." We shall hereafter review these books, but may only say now that they are gotten up in the highest style of the book-makers' art, and reflect credit on this company, which is laboring with such success to furnish our people with "non-partisan school books."
