USA > Virginia > A history of Virginia : from its discovery and settlement by Europeans to the present time. Vol. II > Part 5
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a Virginia Gazette, May 29, 1773; Wirt, 71.
69
BOSTON PORT BILL.
1774.]
determined not to receive a pound of the hateful commodity.ª Hence the well-known scene in the harbour of Boston, where, on the 16th of December, persons dressed as Mohawk Indians boarded a tea ship, and in two hours hoisted out and threw over- board three hundred and forty-two chests of her cargo, and then quietly dispersed to their homes.b
(1774.) When news of this event reached Eng- land, Ministers thought the time had come for vio- lent restraint. A bill was introduced, and passed in Parliament, providing that after the Ist of June, the port of Boston should be closed; her trade should be cut off, and thus her energetic population would have been consigned to idleness, and, after a time, to poverty. But the time of safety was passed ; violence did but inflame the spirits of the people. When the Boston " Port Bill" was made known in Virginia, her Assembly was in session; and, with- out a moment's delay, they adopted resolutions ex- pressing the deepest sympathy for their oppressed fellow-patriots; setting aside the fatal Ist of June as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer, and ordering that a suitable sermon should be preached on the occasion." (May 25.) The day after these resolutions passed, Lord Dunmore summoned the
a The London Times for January fence of an untaxed teapot." How- 2d, 1847, speaking of the proposal ever undesignedly, the writer pays a high tribute to the steady adhe- rence to principle shown by America in the revolution. in the late U. S. Congress, to tax tea and coffee, says, " It is little more than seventy years since the Colony rebelled, rather than pay a duty of b Gordon, i. 225; Grahame, iv. 3d. per pound on the former article. 344 ; Otis's Botta, i. 121.
The whole population rose in de-
c Wirt, 74, 75; Burk, iii. 378.
70
CONVENTION AT
[CHAP. I.
Burgesses to his presence, and addressed them in lordly style : " I have in my hand a paper published by order of your House, conceived in such terms as reflect highly upon his Majesty and the Parlia- ment of Great Britain, which makes it necessary for me to dissolve you, and you are dissolved ac- cordingly."ª
Forthwith the members repaired to the Raleigh Tavern, in Williamsburg, and formed another as- sociation, in which they spoke with indignant ear- nestness of the measures against Boston; denounced tea as the source of all their evils, and administered a just rebuke to the East India Company for joining hands with tyranny. They recommended that the members to be elected for the next Assembly should meet "in convention," at Williamsburg, on the Ist of August, and should then appoint deputies to represent Virginia in the " General Congress" to be held this year.b Then going to their homes, the members spread far and wide their influence. The 1st of June was a day of real mourning; the pulpit began to speak on the temporal liberties of man ; each bosom caught the spirit, and it seemed as though an electric shock had passed through every part of the Colony.
The body assembled at Williamsburg on the 1st of August, is generally spoken of as the "First Virginia Convention." It was, indeed, the first regularly constituted and authorized to act by the
a Burk, iii. 378; Tucker's Jeffer- eighty-nine members. Tucker's Jef- son, i. 56.
b The association was signed by
ferson, i. 56, 57; Wirt, 75.
1
1774.]
WILLIAMSBURG.
71
people, though we have seen that informal bodies of the same character had before existed. Its ac- tion was entirely confined to the absorbing topic of the day. The distress of Boston ; the obstinacy of the English Ministry ; the duties on tea ;ª were the grievances : non-importation of British commodi- ties, was the chief remedy ; but they went farther, and declared that unless their woes were healed before the 10th of August, 1775, they would not after that time export a pound of tobacco to Great Britain. A member had been elected from Albe- marle to this Convention, who, though yet young in years, had already assumed a prominence in the councils of his country, which was afterwards ever increasing. Thomas Jefferson was prevented, by sickness from attending; but he sent his thoughts in writing, which were afterwards published, under the title of a "Summary View of the Rights of British America." The doctrines sustained in this composition were too bold to be adopted, even by the patriots of 1774; but the tract was universally admired. It was afterwards published in England, and though eagerly read by opposition members, it is said to have gained for its author the honour of being included in a bill of attainder for treason,
a The third article deserves to be recorded : "Considering the article of tea as the detestable instrument which laid the foundation of the present sufferings of our distressed friends in the town of Boston, we view it with horror; and, therefore,
resolve that we will not, from this day, either import tea of any kind whatever, nor will we use or suffer even such of it as is now on hand to be used in any of our families." ___ Burk, iii. 384.
6
72
DUNMORE'S SCHEMES.
[CHAP. I.
introduced, but not passed, by the House of Com- mons.ª
The members appointed as deputies to Con- gress, were Peyton Randolph, Richard Henry Lee, George Washington, Patrick Henry, Richard Bland, Benjamin Harrison, and Edmund Pendle- ton. On the 4th of September, at Carpenter's Hall, in Philadelphia, the venerable body assembled which was to speak in behalf of the liberties of three millions of men. To detail its action, would not be consistent with the unity of this work. Virginia's noblest sons took part in its counsels, and led on to the conflict. Peyton Randolph was in the chair; Patrick Henry and Richard H. Lee, opened the argument in speeches of matchless power. Its proceedings have become a part of the history of America, and its very name is heard with reverence and gratitude.
Meanwhile, Governor Dunmore was engaged in schemes which have been enveloped in a cloud of mystery, and which will, probably, never be fully explained. He has been charged with having desired to break the opposition of British America to the mother country, by involving two of the most powerful Colonies in war with each other concerning their boundaries, and with producing Indian hostilities, to divert the attention of Vir-
a This tract is not now in general ruary, 1847. The "Summary View," circulation. The author examined it, was republished in the " American Archives," vol. i .; and in Jefferson's Works, i. 100-116. See Tucker's Life of Jefferson, i. 58-61. together with Richard Bland's " In. quiry into the Rights of the British Colonies," published in 1766, in the Library at Cambridge, Mass., in Feb-
73
INDIAN HOSTILITIES.
1774.]
ginia from the proceedings of the English Minis- try.ª The evidence to prove these charges is too vague to bring conviction, yet the facts furnished are suspicious. He employed a Pennsylvanian, one Doctor Conolly, a man of popular arts, of in- triguing disposition, and of doubtful patriotism He gave to him command of the fort at Pittsburg, with the title of Major. A dispute between Penn- sylvania and Virginia as to their boundaries west of Fort Pitt, was nursed into importance, and, but for the forbearance and generosity shown by the Assemblies of both provinces, they might have been urged into civil war.b
But the Indian hostilities assumed a more serious aspect. Single murders, on both sides, had been committed by parties on the Ohio frontiers, and in the month of April, several relatives of a distin- guished Indian chief had been slain, without ade- quate provocation, by white men, under the direc- tion of one Captain Cresap." These events were followed by bloody retaliation; the savage war- whoop once more sounded among the bold pioneers of the Ohio valley. Women and children were
put to death, or dragged into captivity. When expresses arrived in Williamsburg, announcing the danger, Lord Dunmore resolved to make a vigorous attack upon the natives, and crush them at a blow.
a Jacob's Account, in Kercheval, ferson's Notes, 238-274; Withers' 165, 166, 186.
b Jacob, in Kercheval, 162-165; Burk, iii. 374, 375.
c Doddridge's Account, in Ker- cheval, 148, 149 ; Appendix to Jef- Richmond.
Border Warfare, 117-120. This work is rare in Eastern Virginia ; a copy has been kindly presented to me by Thomas Mathews, Esq., of
74
INDIAN HOSTILITIES.
[CHAP. I.
He directed that General Andrew Lewis, a brave officer of Botetourt County, should raise about one thousand men, and march to the Ohio; while his Lordship should put himself at the head of a simi- lar number, in the higher part of the valley, and should proceed to Fort Pitt. It was intended that the two forces should unite at Point Pleasant, now in the county of Mason, and just in the fork of the Ohio and Great Kanawha Rivers.
Immediately, these orders were carried into ef- fect. The counties of Berkeley, Hampshire, Fre- derick, and Shenandoah, Augusta and Botetourt, yielded more than two thousand riflemen, who eagerly prepared for the field. They were men of tried courage, and of astonishing skill in the use of their weapon. General Lewis, at the head of a detachment of more than a thousand, passed through the trackless forest between Camp Union and Point Pleasant. Captain Matthew Arbuckle was the pioneer, and most skilfully was his duty performed.ª On reaching Point Pleasant, the 1st of October, they found that Dunmore had not arrived, and, doubtful of his plans, General Lewis sent scouts to meet him and receive his orders. On the 10th, while the army was in camp between the rivers, two young men, who had ventured out to hunt, were suddenly attacked by a large body of Indians. One was slain, and the other fled wounded to the camp, to rouse his comrades to battle. The whole army was speedily in motion, and drawn out in order four hundred yards from the camp. Fifteen
a Doddridge, in Kercheval, 152.
75
BATTLE OF POINT PLEASANT.
1774.]
hundred savages advanced to the attack; and so terrible was their fire, that many of the leading di- vision of whites were slain. Colonel Charles Lewis, a brother of the General, was mortally wounded, and with difficulty dragged himself into the camp, where soon afterwards he expired.
But a reinforcement was at hand. Colonel Flem- ming in a loud voice encouraged his men, and by his example animated them to the conflict. He received two balls through his left arm, and was wounded in the lungs, yet he continued to cheer on his command. In a short time every man in each army was under cover : from behind trees they sought their enemies with their weapons; the forest rang with the sharp reports of the rifle,-and so unerring was the fire, that few balls were thrown away : nearly all who fell were shot in the head or the breast. Colonel Field, while incautiously pressing in pursuit, received a mortal wound, and for a long time the victory was doubtful. The savages were led on by Cornstalk, a gigantic warrior, already well known in border warfare .. His huge frame was often seen gliding from tree to tree, as he encouraged his men; and his sten- torian voice, crying "Be strong! Be strong !" some- times rose above the tumult of the battle.
At length the skill and valour of the Virginians prevailed. Holding out their hats from behind the trees, the riflemen would often tempt the savages to fire. The hat would then drop ; and when the war- rior rushed forward to scalp his fancied prey, a rifle
ª Doddridge, 154; Withers, 129.
76
LOGAN.
[CHAP. I.
bullet brought him down.ª From early in the morning until sunset, the combat raged without intermission. The Indians began to give way, and retire slowly from the field. Cornstalk urged them to the fight, and with his own hand struck dead one of his followers who showed signs of cowardice. But the whites pressed upon them, and soon drove them from the ground. Yet the victory, though complete, had been dearly bought. One hundred and forty men were either killed or wounded. Two field officers were killed, and a third desperately wounded. More than half the captains and sub- altern officers were among the slain or hurt. The loss of the savages could not be precisely ascer- tained, as they carried off the wounded, and are said to have thrown the dead into the Ohio, in the midst of the fight.b
The whole honour of this bloody battle must rest with General Lewis and his gallant men. Dunmore is entitled to no part of it, and little merited the thanks which the Virginia Convention afterwards be- stowed on him." From Fort Pitt he had proceeded down the Ohio to Hockhocking; and before the south division under Lewis arrived, he concluded a treaty of peace with the principal Indian tribes. The war- rior Cornstalk made a long harangue, and boldly set forth their causes of complaint. Among the native chiefs, it was observed that Logan, the pride of the Cayugas, did not appear; but he assented to the treaty, and despatched an interpreter to Dunmore
2 Burk, iii. 394. Kercheval, 153.
b Burk, iii. 395; Doddridge, in c Wirt, 99.
77
SPEECH OF LOGAN.
1774.]
with a belt of wampum containing his speech for the occasion. This celebrated specimen of savage eloquence has since become known through all en- lightened lands. It has been admired by Europe and America; nor has it gained interest merely because it was delivered under circumstances so novel and romantic. Simple, grave, and full of the purest pathos, it finds its way at once to the heart, and brings immediately before us the desolated red man, whose love to the whites had been repaid by the murder of all who had his blood running in their veins.ª The only benefit Lord Dunmore ever conferred upon Virginia was in bringing from the west this noble oration.
This Indian war was the immediate precursor of the memorable struggle between a civilized mother and her own oppressed offspring. (1775.) In the month of March, the Virginia Convention assembled at Richmond, in the county of Henrico. It was then a small town, consisting chiefly of wooden houses rising over hills which ascended from the banks of James River. The time-honoured church on Richmond Hill was the place in which the Con- vention met; and the picturesque beauties of this spot are now heightened by the historic associations which linger around it. The body contained the patriots of the Colony. Already the sound of war had been heard in the land; English fleets were hovering on the coasts of America, and English armies were quartered in her cities ; yet the hearts
· Jefferson's Notes, 66, and Ap- Doddridge, in Kercheval, 155, 156. pendix, 239; Burk, iii. 397, 398;
·
78
RICHMOND CONVENTION.
[CHAP. I.
of many shrank from actual combat; they still hoped for peace, purchased with less than liberty.
The first measures of the Convention were in- decisive. They expressed their satisfaction at the course of the late Congress, and their thanks to their own delegates who had acted in its councils. They declared their pleasure in receiving a petition and memorial to the King from the Assembly of Jamaica, in which earnest offers of compromise were proposed for the pending difficulties.
But they were not long to rest in this inglorious calm. On the 23d of March, Patrick Henry pre- sented resolutions declaring that a "well-regulated militia, consisting of gentlemen and yeomen," was the natural defence of the country, alluding in direct terms to the presence of British armies, and the dangers threatening American freedom, and finally proposing that the Virginia colony should be put in a state of defence, and that measures should be immediately taken "for embodying, arm- ing, and disciplining such a number of men as may be sufficient for that purpose."a This proposal came like the shock of a thunderbolt upon the " peace party" in the house; and when they were in some measure recovered, they made a vigorous stand against it. Richard Bland, Robert Carter Nicholas, Edmund Pendleton, and Benjamin Har- rison all opposed it. Every argument that ingenuity could suggest, and learning sustain, was brought against it. They told of the weakness of America and the strength of England : a country without
a Wirt, 90.
79
SPEECH OF PATRICK HENRY.
1775.]
soldiers-without arms-without generals, opposed to the formidable power which had shaken Chris- tendom to its centre : they urged the duty of loyalty, the advantages of connexion with Britain, the do- mestic comforts they might enjoy, contrasted with the horrors of civil war.
It was now that Patrick Henry appeared in majesty. Rising slowly from his seat, he com- menced a speech which made every soul thrill with ineffable emotion. Enough of this address has been preserved to give to us some idea of the topics he presented ; but none can paint the living power, the fire which animated his form and burned in his words. With mighty strokes he hewed down the defences which had been erected before the King and the Parliament, and disclosed them in all their deformity.
" Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer. We have done every thing that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned-we have remonstrated-we have supplicated-we have prostrated ourselves be- fore the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the Ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence. and insult; our supplications have been disregarded ; and we have been spurned with contempt from the foot of the throne. In vain after these things may we indulge the fond hope of peace and recon- ciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free-if we mean to preserve in-
80
SPEECH OF PATRICK HENRY. £ [CHAP. I.
violate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending-if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the object of our contest shall be obtained-we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight ! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us.
" There is a just God who presides over the des- tinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery. Our chains are forged; their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston. The war is inevitable, and let it come. I repeat it, sir, let it come.
" Gentlemen may cry peace ! peace ! but there is no peace. The war is already begun. The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms. Our brethren are already in the field. Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish ?- what would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery ? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take ; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death !"
Amid silence, dead and solemn, the orator re- sumed his seat. Not a murmur was heard; not a whisper of comment disturbed the Assembly ; feel-
-
1
1775.]
ITS EFFECT.
81
ings too deep for utterance were struggling in every heart. The past, the present, and the future-the wrongs endured-the remedy offered-the slavery of peace-the terrors of war-the fear of defeat- the hope of success-all mingled together, and for a time stilled every tongue. But the moment of hesitation had passed. Quickly the blood returned with redoubled impetus to its channels. Every lip seemed ready to call to arms.a Richard Henry Lee rose, and with graceful oratory seconded the reso- lutions. His voice was not needed to add to the effect of that eloquence which had seemed almost enough to call the dead to life. The proposal of Mr. Henry was adopted, and in a short time Vir- ginia was alive with military preparation. In every county men were to be enrolled, arms prepared, powder and ball provided. The eastern counties were particularly recommended to raise companies of horse, and to train them with all diligence to the sound of firearms and the movements of the field. All things indicated that peace could not long en- dure.
The words of Patrick Henry were prophetic. The next breeze which blew from the north might have swept over the plains of Concord and Lexing- ton while the combat between the British troops and Massachusetts yeomanry was in progress ; and one day after this battle, a. body of marines from the armed English schooner Magdalen, acting under the orders of Lord Dunmore, came up to
a Sce Wirt's Henry, 95.
VOL. II.
6
82
DUNMORE-GUNPOWDER.
[CHAP. I.
Williamsburg in the dead of night, and carried off from the public magazine twenty barrels of powder, which they stored before daybreak in the hold of their vessel.a (April 20.) Thus the war of the Revolution commenced in Virginia.
& Skelton Jones's Virginia, 2; Wirt, 100, 101; Tucker's Jefferson, i. 68; Burk, iii, 407.
-
CHAPTER II.
Excitement in Williamsburg-Armed force from the Fowey man-of-war- Captain Montague-Proceedings in Fredericksburg -Patrick Henry marches at the head of a volunteer company to retake the powder- Richard Corbin, King's Receiver-General-Last House of Burgesses in Virginia-Conciliatory plan of English Ministry-Its duplicity-Vir- ginia not deceived-Explosion in the Williamsburg magazine-Dunmore retires aboard the Fowey-Correspondence between the Governor and the House of Burgesses-Vigorous preparations for war-Dunmore enters Norfolk harbour-Seizure of Holt's printing press-Predatory warfare- Attack on Hampton-Gallant defence-Enemy repulsed-Dunmore's success in Princess Anne-His inhuman proclamation-Plot with Co- nolly-Great Bridge-Colonel Woodford marches with the Virginia force-Conflict at the Great Bridge-Death of Fordyce-Success of the Virginians-Howe and Woodford enter Norfolk-Consternation of the Tories-English fleet-Norfolk fired upon and burned-Dunmore's de- gradation-General Charles Lee-Removal of people from Princess Anne and Norfolk Counties-Gwynn's Island-Dunmore takes possession of it-General Andrew Lewis attacks him-Drives him out with loss- Miserable condition of the enemy-Dunmore sails to New York-Finally leaves America-His character-Virginia and the Revolution-Civil and religious freedom-Seldom enjoyed in the world-Virginia resolves, if possible, to secure them-Her gradual approaches to independence- Paine's Common Sense-Virginia Gazette-Convention of 1776-De- claration of May 15-Bill of Rights-Constitution-Its character con- sidered-Establishment of civil liberty.
WHEN the removal of the powder was made known in Williamsburg, intense excitement pre- vailed. The people crowded together in groups, uneasy, irritated, and alarmed. Each man looked to his arms, and many threatened violent retaliation.
.
84
WILLIAMSBURG IN ARMS.
[CHAP. II.
With promptness the Common Council of the city addressed a message to the Governor, expressing their concern at the. late occurrence. They re- minded him that the powder had been provided for public use, and after intimating that danger was apprehended from the slaves, who had been lately instigated to rebellion by " wicked and designing persons," they earnestly asked that the Governor would explain his conduct, and direct that the powder should be restored.ª Lord Dunmore's an- swer was evasive and insincere : he talked much of the safety of the Colony, but his mind was evidently absorbed in his own selfish interests. When he heard that the citizens were in arms, his passions were roused, and with mingled fear and rage he swore that if any injury was offered to himself or, to those who had acted in the affair of the gun- powder, he would proclaim freedom to the slaves, and reduce Williamsburg to ashes. A threat so inhuman was not fitted to allay the popular storm. Some may have thought that it was the result of momentary feeling; but others, who knew Dun- more well, believed him capable of all excesses, and events soon proved that his purpose had been de- liberately formed.
The people around the capital were in high ex- citement, and their sentiments were fully shared by others at a distance. By advice of the Council, Dunmore issued a proclamation full of vague threats and hollow promises, and giving no satisfactory ac-
a Skelton Jones, 3; Wirt, 101, 102; Burk, iii. 408.
85
CAPTAIN MONTAGUE.
1775.]
count of his action about the powder.ª (May 8.) So little did this paper answer the purpose for which his lordship intended it, that it became the signal for renewed trouble. Hardly had it appeared, be- fore a number of persons entered the magazine at night, and removed a great quantity of muskets, cartouch boxes, swords, and other military muni- tions. This act was unjustifiable, and was properly condemned by the civil authorities of Williams- burg; but it was made a pretext for measures which hastened the coming conflict.
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