USA > Virginia > A history of Virginia : from its discovery and settlement by Europeans to the present time. Vol. II > Part 6
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At this time England maintained a naval arma- ment on many parts of the American coast, and several ships of war were in the waters of Virginia. Among these was the Fowey, then lying near York- town, and commanded by Captain George Mon- tague. Alarmed at each advance of the patriotic power, Dunmore opened a correspondence with the British officer, and when the magazine was rifled, he requested that a guard of marines might be sent from the Fowey to protect the palace at Williams- burg. Montague complied with the request; and at the same time that the detachment commenced its march, he addressed to Thomas Nelson, Presi- dent of Council, a letter which, in its savage spirit, might be ranked with the threats of the Governor. He speaks of the party he is sending to guard Dun- more, and hopes they will not be molested, declaring that if they should be attacked, he would imme- diately open upon Yorktown the batteries of his
a Jones, 5, 6.
86
PROCEEDINGS IN
[CHAP. Il.
ship.ª When this letter was laid before the com- mittee for the town of York, it excited the warmest indignation against its author. Mr. Nelson had been active in soothing the discontented, and up- holding the royal authority ; the notice was given after the marching of the marines, so that no efforts could be made to preserve them from attack; the town of York was defenceless, and was full of women and children. Taking these facts into view, the committee voted that Captain Montague had " testified a spirit of cruelty unprecedented in the annals of civilized times," and they recommended that no marks of civility should be shown to him, except those required by "common decency and absolute necessity."
While these events were in progress, the country was kindling into flame. On every side, as the news of the seizure of the powder and the threats of the Governor were made known, the people ran to arms. Hanover, Caroline, Spotsylvania, Frede- rick, and Berkeley were alive with volunteers pre- paring rifles and muskets, or mounting troops for scouring the lower counties. The meeting in Fre- dericksburg merits a special notice. Six hundred men, well armed, and in uncommonly fine disci- pline, assembled at the call of their officers, and despatched some delegates to ascertain the pos- ture of things at Williamsburg. While together, these patriots held a meeting, consisting of one hundred and two persons, citizens, soldiers, and
2 This letter is dated May 4. Skelton Jones, 9, 10; Wirt, 107, 108; Burk, iii. 416, 417.
87
FREDERICKSBURG.
1775.]
delegates to the Assembly, and adopted resolutions bolder in spirit, and more nearly approaching to a declaration of independence than any that had yet appeared. They denounced Dunmore's measures with freedom, and without evasion or fear they de- clared that "the troops would preserve their liberty at the hazard of their lives and fortunes." Though they deprecated civil war, yet, considering the liberties of America to be in danger, they pledged themselves to reassemble at a moment's warning, and by force of arms to defend the laws, and the rights "of this or any sister Colony" from invasion; and they concluded by the sentence : "GOD SAVE THE LIBERTIES OF AMERICA !"ª When their mes- sengers arrived from Williamsburg, they reported affairs as quiet for a time, and the volunteers re- turned to their homes.
Patrick Henry had watched the progress of events with deep interest. Believing that a sudden and decisive stroke would do much to rouse the hearts of his countrymen, and commit them for the war, he accepted the command of a body of troops raised in Hanover for the express purpose of marching to retake the powder removed from the magazine. His very name kindled enthusiasm. The neigh- bouring counties raised companies of infantry and horse, who hastened to array themselves under so
2 The author hopes he may be par- burg bear date April 29, 1775; and doned for recording with pride this they were, therefore, twenty-one days prior to the Mecklenburg Declara- tion in North Carolina. See Skelton Jones, 11, 12 ; Purdie's Virginia Gazette. declaration, made in his native town, fourteen months before the celebrated instrument of the Continental Con- gress. The resolutions in Fredericks-
88
DUNMORE'S PERPLEXITY.
[CHAP. II.
distinguished a leader. It is supposed that in a short time not less than five thousand men were in arms, and ready to march at a moment's warning. But while Henry and his men were advancing, Dunmore sought means to divert the storm which threatened destruction to his authority. He sent Richard Corbin, the King's Receiver-General, to meet the determined American, and offer him terms of settlement. (May 4.) At Doncaster's ordinary, in New Kent, Henry received from Mr. Corbin three hundred and thirty pounds sterling, as com- pensation for the powder, and passed to him a written acknowledgment stating all the facts of the case.ª The object of their march being accom- plished, Mr. Henry offered their services to Trea- surer Nicholas, as a guard for Williamsburg, if danger was apprehended; but an answer was re- ceived declining the offer, and the soldiers returned in triumph to their abodes in the country.
. The Governor's perplexity was extreme. His own imprudence and harshness had irritated the people to measures which approached nearly to war. At this juncture, by advice of his Council, and with the hope of allaying the popular ferment, he sum- moned an Assembly to meet the 1st day of June. This House of Burgesses was the last that ever sat upon the soil of Virginia, although many of its members were afterwards prominent in her inde- pendent legislatures. Nothing could more forcibly have shown the state of the public mind than the appearance of the burgesses as they arrived and
a Jones, 14; Wirt, 108, 109.
89
CONCILIATION ATTEMPTED.
1775.]
took their seats in the house. All bore faces of seriousness and resolve; many were clothed in hunting shirts, and brought with them the faithful rifles, which were afterwards to be companions in the field.ª Yet the proceedings were opened with due ceremony, and the Governor's address was more than usually courteous. He commended to their consideration the late resolutions of the House of Commons, in which Lord North professed to hold forth the olive branch to America, and to de- clare that all her real grievances should be removed.
This " conciliatory plan" had been introduced by the Prime Minister on the 20th of February, and had at first surprised both the friends and foes of America. It provided that whenever the Legis- lature or General Court of any Colony should make due appropriation for bearing its part in the ex- penses of the kingdom, and for the support of its own rulers and officers, then it would be expedient that Great Britain should cease to tax such Colony.b Had such a proposition been made at an early stage of the dispute, it might perhaps have calmed the colonists for a season, but now their eyes were open. None could fail to see that the plan offered no real remedy. It simply said, if you will tax yourselves for our benefit to the amount we require, we will not tax you; but the implication was irresistible, that, directly or indirectly, the tax was to be paid.
a Burk, iii. 421, 422; Skelton Jones, 18.
tion. The reader would do well to examine it. Sec Bissett, 346-348;
b This measure was one of the Belsham, vi. 118-124; Graham, iv. weakest of Lord North's administra-
389, 390; Gordon, i. 301, 302.
1
90
DUNMORE'S PROCLAMATION.
[CHAP. II.
In truth, the measure was but an insidious attempt to distract the Colonies, and rend asunder that union which was so formidable to the Ministry. Lord North did not conceal that such was his ob- ject; and his adherents in the House repeated his views. The bill became a law by a considerable majority.
1
Virginia was not duped by this scheme. The House of Burgesses appointed a committee to exa- mine it, who in a few days brought in a report ad- verse to the proposition. This able paper was from the pen of Thomas Jefferson, and it bears stamped upon its face the impress of his acute and powerful mind. It declared that the plan was rejected, be- cause they had the right to give their money as they pleased, without coercion; because other griev- ances were left unredressed ; because England had already invaded their country by sea and land ; because free trade was not allowed to them; and, finally, because they would not treat without the concurrence of all the Colonies. The report con- cluded in a strain of eloquent asseveration, and in committing to the justice of Heaven the cause which could hope for nothing from the rulers of Britain.a
Dunmore's conduct betrayed a strange mixture of presumption and wavering, of boasting and cowardice, of pretended firmness and real alarm. He had issued a proclamation speaking of Patrick Henry in most contemptuous terms, and warning all men to oppose him in his attempts to disturb
a Tucker's Jefferson, i. 72; Skelton Jones, 32-35.
91
FLIGHT OF DUNMORE.
1775.]
the peace of the Colony ; yet he yielded to the House when its members sought to investigate the affair of the gunpowder, and declared his readiness to render to them the key of the magazine. Deep, indeed, must have been the malignity which, under smiles and concessions, sought to cover a purpose of treachery and revenge.
On the night of the 5th of June, several young men entered the magazine to procure arms. As they passed the door, a cord attached to it dis- charged a spring gun, and three of the party were severely wounded. One had his shoulder torn to pieces with small bullets, and another lost three fingers of his left hand. When this incident was made known, none doubted that the contrivance was by Dunmore's order, and popular feeling against him increased in violence. A committee of the House of Burgesses was appointed to search the magazine, and several barrels of powder were found buried under its floor, which were doubtless to be used as a mine, when the Governor thought proper to blow up the building and all who ventured into it. The indignation of the people was no longer concealed. The Assembly used every exertion to preserve order in the town, but it seemed impos- sible to prevent a rupture. Terrified by the conse- quences of his own conduct, and being in mortal fear for his life, at 2 o'clock on the morning of the 8th, Dunmore fled from the palace, and, in com- pany with his wife and some of his domestics, took
a Jones, 16; Wirt, 110.
b Jones, 25; Wirt, 113; Purdie's Gazette.
92
CORRESPONDENCE WITH DUNMORE. [CHAP. II.
refuge on board the Fowey at Yorktown. He was of course accompanied by Foy, who feared the citizens hardly less than did the Governor himself.
From this time until the 24th of June, messages were almost daily exchanged between the House of Burgesses and his lordship. Dunmore alleged as a reason for his flight, that he was no longer safe in Williamsburg, and that he had constant reason to fear personal violence. The House addressed to him several dignified missives, professing their readiness to unite with him in measures for quieting the country ; but no persuasions would induce him to trust his precious person to their guardianship. Several bills of high importance were passed, among which was one making provision for the officers and soldiers in the late Indian war; but the Go- vernor refused his assent, unless they would com- ply with his unreasonable demands. At length the dispute reached its height. On the 23d, Dunmore commanded the Burgesses to come in person on board the Fowey, and receive his assent to the bills
which were ready. When this insolent order was made known, the Assembly threw off all reserve, and passed resolutions declaring that his command was "a high breach of their rights and privileges;" that his delays and evasions warned the people to prepare for defence; and that they bore true al- legiance to his majesty King George, and would uphold his authority according to the " established laws and principles of the constitution."a The cor- respondence between the Governor and the As-
a Skelton Jones, 54; Wirt, 117; Burk, iii. 426, 427.
93
LAST HOUSE OF BURGESSES.
1775.]
sembly was now closed, never to be renewed; and in his absence the remaining bills were assented to by the Council. It will be proper at once to relate the final acts of the last House of Burgesses. They adjourned, first to the 12th of October, then to the first Thursday in March, 1776. At that time thirty-two members only appearing, they again adjourned to the 6th of May; and on that day, al- though a few members attended, they did no busi- ness, and soon dispersed. Such was the end of the Colonial Assembly of Virginia. It had been consti- tuted in a reign of despotism-had served through seasons of gloom and oppression-had led the way in declaring principles of freedom, which sunk deeply into the hearts of America, and had only ceased to act when it was to be succeeded by a child more independent, though not more enlight- ened and courageous. With the death of the As- sembly, the authority of the King passed away for ever in the Old Dominion.
Before their first separation, the Burgesses had agreed to meet in convention at Richmond on the 17th of July ; and accordingly they then assembled and commenced deliberations. The question of peace and war was no longer doubtful, and without delay, means were adopted for arming Virginia. Volunteers began to pour in on all sides; the dra- goons of the tide-water counties, the riflemen of the west, and the young soldiers from the best families between the Blue Ridge and the Bay, were all in motion. The convention was too cumbrous a body to act with promptness, and therefore a Committee
94
SEIZURE OF HOLT'S PRESS.
[CHAP. II.
of Safety was appointed, consisting of eleven mem- bers,ª to whom broad powers were given for the public defence.
Their preparations were not premature. Imme- diately after the close of his correspondence with the House of Burgesses, Lord Dunmore sailed down the bay in the Fowey, and made diligent efforts to collect an armed force to attack Virginia. He made the harbour of Norfolk the place of rendezvous for his fleet. This flourishing seaport then contained about six thousand inhabitants, and was in many respects the most important town in Virginia. Its position gave to it so many commercial advantages that trade from abroad flowed into it spontaneously, and wealth began to accumulate. That there were patriots within its bounds, no one can doubt; but its leading inhabitants were English and Scotch merchants, who loved money more than liberty, who revered Britain too much to serve America, and who would willingly have seen the Revolution strangled in its birth. Dunmore's first measure in Norfolk was the seizure of Holt's printing press, which had been bold in uttering republican senti- ments. The insignificant band sent to effect this purpose might easily have been crushed ; but the tories were numerous, and the rulers were over- awed.' Emboldened by this success, the Governor resolved on further violence. He had now under
ª They were Edmund Pendleton, Mercer, Carter Braxton, William Ca. George Mason, John Page, Richard bell, and John Tabb. Burk, iii. 429, 430; Jones, 59. Bland, Thomas Ludwell Lee, Paul Carrington, Dudley Digges, James b See Skelton Jones, 62.
95
HAMPTON.
1775.]
his command, besides the Fowey, the Mercury, of twenty-four guns, the Kingfisher, of sixteen, and. the Otter, of fourteen, with two companies of the fourteenth regiment, from the West Indies, and a rabble of negroes and tories, who had resorted to his standard. He fitted out several tenders and lighter vessels, and, hovering around the coasts, plundered the people, stole live stock, and destroyed improvements in a way highly congenial to his taste.
The town of Hampton daily feared an attack. Many at the seat of government thought that true policy would require that the whole lower country bordering on the bay should be wasted and aban- doned, so as to afford no support to the enemy.ª But this scheme, though it rivals the terrible resolution of the Russians at Moscow, was disapproved. The Committee of Safety despatched Colonel Woodford, at the head of one hundred mounted riflemen, to repel the threatened attack.
Hampton was a small seaport in the end of the isthmus between York and James Rivers. Its people were accustomed to sea scenes, and two of its sons had already distinguished themselves by bold captures of vessels belonging to the English fleet.' On the 24th of October, the British Captain Squires, with six tenders full of armed men, ap- proached the town. Believing they would meet with feeble opposition, the boats' crews left the
2 Burk, iii. 432. of Captain James Barron, U. S. N. Burk, iii. 431 ; Howe, 251.
b These were two brothers, named Barron, one of whom was the father
96
GALLANT DEFENCE.
[CHAP. II.
tenders, and under a heavy fire to cover their attack, they pulled towards the shore. But they were re- ceived with a shower of rifle bullets. Marksmen, concealed behind fences on the beach, or in the town, poured upon them a fire so precise and deadly, that the boats were hauled hastily around, and with the loss of many of their men, returned to the tenders.
Colonel Woodford and the Culpeper riflemen marched all night through a heavy rain, and at 8 o'clock the next morning they were ready to aid the gallant militia of Hampton and the neighbour- hood in repelling the second attack. Several ves- sels had been sunk immediately before the town, so that the tenders could not easily approach; but during the night Squires succeeded in cutting away the obstacles, and in the morning his fleet was in the harbour and drawn up with broadsides bearing on the town. (Oct. 25.) Instantly a can- nonade commenced. Double-headed bullets were fired in rapid succession, and chain-shot were hurled among the houses, and swept the streets exposed to the water. The patriots had no heavy guns to op- pose, and the English thought their victory secure. But the riflemen drew close to the river's edge, and concealing themselves behind fences, trees, and shrubs, marked every tender with their fire. They sent their lead with fatal precision. Not a man showed his face over a gunwale, who was not pierced by a ball. Not a sail could be touched, without exposing him who attempted it to certain death. The British were struck with astonishment
97
ENEMY REPULSED.
1775.]
and dismay : confusion appeared in their move- ments, and they endeavoured to draw off from the town and escape into the bay. Some succeeded, though with the loss of several men; but two ten- ders drifted ashore, and the commander of one of them, after in vain trying to rouse his men to exer- tion, sprang into the water, and succeeded in swim- ming safely to the opposite beach. His crew dared not raise their heads from the deck, for fear of meeting a rifle ball. Thus the Americans captured two tenders, and, besides the prisoners, they took six swivels, seven muskets, and a quantity of pistols, small swords, and other weapons.ª
Such was the first battle of the Revolution that was fought in Virginia. In many respects it was singular in its character. Vessels armed with cannon fired upon an exposed town, and men with no weapons heavier than rifles drove them from their moorings. No one can doubt who were the · victors. The British vessels with difficulty escaped. Men were sent to the narrow part of the channel to oppose their egress, and nothing but a false rumour saved them. It was reported that a large body of the enemy were marching into the country. The patriots halted, and the prey escaped.b
Hostilities were now fully opened. At Burwell's Ferry a party of Virginia riflemen drove off the Kingfisher, which had been sent up James River to oppose their passage ; and an attack made upon
a Skelton Jones, 63, 64; Burk, iii. 434, 435; Howe, 249, 250, copying from Burk.
VOL. II.
b Skelton Jones, 64.
c Jones, 65.
7
98
DUNMORE'S PROCLAMATION. [CHAP. II.
Jamestown by an armed boat was gallantly repelled by two sentinels placed upon guard by Captain Green.ª Dunmore was alarmed at the bold spirit everywhere manifested by the people, and deter- mined in person to strike a blow from which he hoped decisive results. With design to seize some cannon belonging to the Colony, he left Norfolk the 16th of November at the head of two companies of regulars and a disorderly group of slaves and tories, and penetrated into Princess Anne County. Colonel Hutchings resolved, if possible, to defeat him by ambuscade, and raising two hundred militia, led them to the attack. At the first volley Dunmore's heroes were in utter dismay, and crowding together like frightened sheep, they might easily have been routed; but the regulars with great firmness formed a square with the Governor in the centre, and re- turned the fire. A shameful panic seized the militia ; they broke and fled from the ground, leav- ing one of their number dead, and nine wounded and prisoners to the enemy. Colonel Hutchings himself was among the latter number. He was wounded by the fire, and made no attempt to es- cape.b
Emboldened by this success, Dunmore now de- clared open war. He published a proclamation, which had been prepared some days before." In
& Girardin, 66. L. H. Girardin's militia, 66, 67; but see his note, 67. narrative begins on the 65th page of the History of Virginia, vol. iv.
b Burk, iii. 437, 438. Girardin's account is more favourable to the
" It was dated November 7th, aboard the ship William. See the proclamation in Girardin, 68.
99
PLOT WITH CONOLLY.
1775.]
this he speaks with bitterness of the defence made at Hampton and other places, and charges the people of Virginia with commencing hostilities. He commands all to repair to the royal standard, and enrol themselves, under penalty of being declared traitors, and exposed to death and confis- cation of lands and chattels. With inhuman zeal, he pronounces all slaves and indentured servants to be free, and urges them to take up arms against their masters. By this course he hoped to strike terror into the hearts of the patriots, and to awe the Colony into submission ; but his ungenerous soul had little felt the power of those motives which now impelled the people. Instead of subduing, the proclamation roused them to new exertions. On every side ,men left their daily pursuits and ran to arms. Companies, mounted and on foot, were con- stantly reported at Williamsburg, and the great difficulty of the committee was not to obtain men, but weapons and ammunition.ª
It was at this time that another developement was made, tending yet more to excite all good men against the Governor. We have heretofore men- tioned his agent Conolly, as one employed by him in responsible offices and secret schemes. The movements of this man became mysterious. He repaired to Boston, and held an interview with General Gage, the British commander-in-chief, and at the same time, many things proved that he was in correspondence with Dunmore. Vigilant eyes were upon him, and a few days after he parted
a Girardin, 80; Burk, iii. 439.
100
PLOT DEFEATED.
[CHAP. II.
from the Governor at Norfolk, he was arrested about five miles from Hagerstown, in Maryland. On searching him, the captors found a large sum of money, and several papers which developed a gigantic scheme for the ruin of Virginia. It was proposed that all the Indian tribes on the frontiers should be assembled, and by presents, promises, and exhortations, should be urged to take up the hatchet against the whites. Among the papers was a letter from Dunmore himself to a noted In- dian chief, whom he addresses as his " brother White Eyes," telling him of the plot, and urging him to communicate it to Cornstalk and other pow- erful warriors.a Thus this infernal plot was disco- vered and defeated. It is impossible to depict in colours too dark, the infamy of the man, who, not content with rousing slaves to shed the blood of their masters, would have brought the knife and the hatchet upon hundreds of defenceless families in the great valley of the Alleghanies.
The Committee of Safety had now adopted vi- gorous means for completing the military esta- blishment of Virginia. They had raised three complete regiments, of which the first was com- manded by Patrick Henry, and the second by Wil- liam Woodford : William Christian was Lieutenant- Colonel. Alexander Spotswood was appointed Major, and the heroic Bullet, who had so distin- guished himself in the massacre near Fort Du- quesne, was made Adjutant-General.b It will be
a Girardin, 75, and Appendix ;
b Girardin, 77. Jacob, in Kercheval, 180-185.
101
MAJOR MARSHALL.
1775.]
proper to remark, that Mr. Henry did not long re- tain his command. Although he was possessed of undoubted courage, and was not deficient in mili- tary capacity, yet his talents called him to the council chamber, and we cannot regret that he was soon induced to resign his commission. He was, however, moved to this, by some unpleasant dif- ferences with Congress and Colonel Woodford, as to rank, and his resignation, for a time, threatened to produce embittered feeling among the volunteers, but with true patriotism, he quelled the storm, and urged all to united efforts for their country.ª Wood- ford was a brave and virtuous officer-cautious without timidity-humane without weakness-de- cided without obstinacy. Virginia could not have entrusted her little army to a more competent leader.
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