University of Virginia Library

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v

PREFACE

In relating the history of Virginia since 1861, within the
brief compass of this volume, it has been my purpose to lead
the reader along those highways which give visions of the
past, make clearer the present, and point the way to the future.
But I have often found it hard to resist the temptation of
straying into the byways and hedges with alluring incidents
and anecdotes, which would be well worth recording.

I wish to make recognition of the fact that Dr. Alfred J.
Morrison of Virginia, an experienced and capable historical
scholar, had been chosen to write this volume, but death
stopped his work. The duty devolving upon the editor-in-chief
to provide for this volume, Dr. Bruce induced me to
undertake the work. The volume is the result exclusively of
my labors, both in collection of materials and in composition,
and I assume the full responsibility for its authorship.

In conclusion, I wish to thank the Editor of the series, Dr.
Philip Alexander Bruce for his consideration and encouragement;
my wife, Estelle Dinwiddie Morton, and two of my
students in the College of William and Mary, Miss Helen
Berlin and Miss Katherine Kerr, for their great aid in
preparing the manuscript for the publishers. I also wish to
thank the many people of the State Library, the Library of
the College of William and Mary, and the University of
Virginia Library, and in the state departments of Richmond,
for their courtesy and aid. The Department of Agriculture
and Immigration, through Assistant Commissioner, Mr. J. J.
Owen, made available to the publishers many interesting
photographs.

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