An Extension of our Circulation is very desirable on many accounts. We can be useful only as our Papers are circulated; and we need a larger list of subscribers in order that we may have the means of properly carrying on our important work. Will not our friends generally help us in this matter? Let each subscriber endeavor to secure for us a new one. And let our present subscribers not fail to renew when their time is out. If we can have the cordial co-operation and active help of our friends, our capacity for usefulness will be greatly enlarged.
Donations to the Funds of the Society were contemplated in our original organization, but the condition of the South has been such that we have not made appeals in that direction.
We have received a large number of donations of books, MSS., documents, pamphlets, &c., of very great pecuniary value; but, with the exception of a liberal contribution of $1,000 from one large-hearted friend of the cause, we have received very little money except in payment of subscriptions. Now we begin to feel the great need of larger means with which to carry on our work—to purchase books, MSS., &c., which we cannot otherwise secure, to print more of our MSS., and to carry out various plans for the enlarged usefulness of the Society. We have to compete to some extent with the great historical societies which have their splendid buildings and ample endowments, and we really do not know how friends of the South could more judiciously invest funds just now than by contributions to this Society, which has for its object the preservation of the records, and the vindication of the history of the Confederacy.
We will say, then, frankly, that if there are those who are able and willing to help us, donations would be at this time particularly acceptable, and that any contributions made to us will be sacredly used in accordance with the wishes of the donors.
The Fire which Destroyed the Private Residence of the Secretary, over a month ago, was not alluded to in these columns, because we are not accustomed to introduce into them mere private matters. But as an impression has gone abroad that important papers belonging to the Society were destroyed, it becomes proper to say that the archives of the Society are kept in our office in the State Capitol—that they are under constant guard—and are as safe as the Library and archives of the Commonwealth.
While, therefore, the Secretary lost his private library, most of his furniture, &c., nothing belonging to the Southern Historical Society was either destroyed or injured.
