The Virginia Historical Reporter. Conducted by the Executive Committee of the Virginia Historical Society. Volume I.
Richmond: Printed for the Committee, by Macfarlane & Fergusson, 1854.
First Edition. Wraps. Wraps. Approx. 8.25" x 5". [2], 116 pages. Brown printed wraps with title on the front; list off officers of the Virginia Historical Society, William C. Rives, President on the verso; advertisement for the Virginia Historical Register printed on the inner rear cover; and "the Plan of the Virginia Historical Society" on the rear wrap. Contents include minutes of the seventh annual meeting, Mr. Rives' address, committee report, list of books and paintings donated to the society in the past year, and a lengthy article (pages 15-111) about "The Virginia Convention of 1829-30 by Hugh Grigsby. Front wrap is chipped in the upper left corner with no loss of print. Light toning and foxing to the contents. Small closed tears on the back cover with no loss of print. Name of "Jas. C. Bruce" written top of the front wrap. Good. Item #24220
From the website encyclopediavirginia dot org:
James Coles Bruce was a planter, a member of the House of Delegates (1831–1834), and a member of the Convention of 1861. Born in Halifax County, he studied law at the University of Virginia before returning home to farm. In the House of Delegates, during the slavery debate of 1831–1832, he described slavery as a necessary evil and denounced efforts to abolish it. He himself owned probably more slaves than any other legislator. After his term he commissioned the building of Berry Hill, a grand mansion modeled after the Parthenon, and participated in public conversations about how the South’s agricultural economy might be stimulated. Bruce suggested crop rotation, diversification, better use of capital and credit, and the sale of surplus slaves. He also advocated for the establishment of a state system of public schools open equally to men and women. One of the wealthiest men in the country. Bruce represented Halifax County at the Convention of 1861, called to consider whether Virginia should secede from the Union. He gave speeches in favor of states’ rights and against abolitionism and eventually voted to secede. Bruce died in 1865.
Price: $200.00