Letter 7
[November 3, 1841]
[50]
Mr. B. F. Griffin,
Sir
My suggestion on the subject of my History of South Carolina[51] was in anticipation of a new
stereotype
Edition of that work which I am about to prepare. Since writing to you on
the subject I have opened a Sort of treaty with Mr. Hart, Book Seller of
Charleston, who, being in the city, in the way of trade, appears better
calculated than myself to attend to the publication of Such a work. I have
requested him to treat with You on the Subject. — I have ordered
that a
certain small supply of copies of Carl Werner, Southern Passages,
Atalantis, and the Defense of Slavery,[52] should be sent to you on Sale. The
remaining copies are few, and I have counselled them not to burden your
shelves unnecessarily. Please advise me what number of these works you
may receive. — We very much want a Southern Publishing House
in our
country, and a Publisher of any courage & tact must do well. Our
public
ought to be provided with
Educational books at home, which Should do justice to the fame of our
people, and conserve the character of our Institutions. They are, I think,
just becoming aware of
this necessity, but the cursed
Parley Books,
[53] which are vile & injurious
humbugs,
Should be written down. I am not wedded to the Northern Publishers, and
Should freely give my Strength & Succor to any enterprising
Gentleman
at home who would launch fairly into the Stream. I spoke a few days ago
in Charleston to Mr. Tefft
[54] of
Savannah, and Suggested the propriety of getting up a series of Southern
biography after the manner of Spark's.
[55] I suggested to him that the State
might be
brought to co-operate in this object, in the creation of County School
libraries, as is now done in N. Y. Mass. N. J. &c. &c. If the
Histc.
Society of Savannah would take it up, & your Legislature would
Second
the plan, I suspect that not only Nor & South Caro, but that Virginia
& Alabama, Mississippi & Louisiana, would follow Suit. A
moderate
appropriation, from Each of these States for
a certain number of copies would make a permanent foundation. I should
be willing and partially prepared to begin with a Life of Marion, one of
Sumter, and one of Greene — &c.
[56] This would be a good subject for
the
Editorial pen of Mrs. Griffin. The Histy of Georgia I have determined to
decline, as I find Dr. Stevens busy upon a similar work.
[57] I have <not seen> the copy
of your
Botany which you speak of in your letter.
[58]
Very respectfully Yr obt Sevt.
W. G. Simms
Carl Werner retails in Charleston for $2.00. South Passages for
$1.00 atalantis 50/100 and the Defence of Slavery for 50/100. I suppose
they Should Command the Same prices in Macon.