USA > Virginia > Historical collections of Virginia : containing a collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c. relating to its history and antiquities ; together with geographical and statistical descriptions ; to which is appended, an historical and descriptive sketch of the District of Columbia. > Part 12
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The Assembly expressed their gratitude for the concessions which had been ma the king, but at the same time, with admirable good sense, and a knowledge of the p. ciples of commerce, which shows that they were not acting blindfold with regard tori alterations in the price of tobacco heretofore alluded to. protested, by a large my " against raising the value of the coin ; stating, as a reason. that the exercise of this gerous power would be made a precedent, and specie, which of course as the of other value should be as fixed as possible itself. would be blown about by the of the governor, and the people would have no certainty of the value of the coin pockets. They stated. moreover, that it was the duty of the legislature to laws for the regulation of commerce, and, of course, to prescribe the current } specie, and they accordingly introduced a bilt for that purpose ; but this bill. v necessary, as the coins of many diferent countries were in circulation. was stol in its progress by the governor. who declared that it was trespas ing upon exces!" ative, and that he would veta any Will when the legislature might pas. up . : He then proceeded to fix the value himself by proclamation, raising the cure considerably, but making exception of his own salary and the revenue of 134
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This exception was, in effect, nothing more or less than a new tax of the most odious and oppressive character, and the colony plainly recognised it as such, and refused to regard the exceptions, but paid the revenue as other debts, according to the new stand ard. And the governor, afraid to bring such a case before any court of law, which be well knew would expose his contemptible meanness, and yet afraid to allow his procla- mation to be openly disregarded, which would have put an end at once to the authority of his edicts, was compelled, by the dilemma, to lower the value of the coin as suddenly as he had raised it. This was at once realizing all the worst anticipations of the legis- Iature as to the arbitrary fluctuations in the standard of value, besides being highly un- just and oppressive to such persons as had made payment of debts according to the new standard, and such as had given credit during the time of the alteration. The gov- ernors had, by some means, been suffered to exercise the power of dissolving the Assem- blies, and this having now grown into a usage, was a favorite method of silencing their elamors ; and they having rashly made the provision for the revenue perpetual, and put the control of that subject into the king's hands, were bound hand and foot, and could hot control executive usurpation by stopping the wheels of government. The governor now made use of this dangerous power and dissolved the Assembly. The governor, thus left without a watch or control over his actions, proceeded to a vigorous exercise of ex- ecutive powers. The unfortunate plant-cutters, who had merely been imprisoned, and such of them dismissed from time to time as would give assurance of penitence, aud promise a peaceable demeanor, were now proceeded against with the utmost rigor, for what the king was pleased to call their treasonable conduct. But the noblest victim for tyrannical persecution was Robert Beverly, the former clerk of the Assembly, who had refused to give up its papers without authority from " his masters, the house of Burgess. es." For some reason, it seems that an inspection of journals was demanded by the council again in 1682, and Beverly again refusing to deliver them, was thrown into pri- son; in a king's ship, the Duke of York, then lying in the river. his perscontors being afraid to trust him to the keeping of the jails among his countrymen. While he was in prison, a committee of the council was appointed to seize the papers, which he. foresee. ing this event, had secreted. The pretences for this imprisonment were the most friva lous that can well be imagined ; he is accused of fomenting discord, and stirring up the late partial insurrections, but the only specific act of which he was accused. was setting on foot petitions for an Assembly. Under these arbitrary proceedings, he was detained a prisoner, denied the writ of habeas corpus, and hurried about from prison to prison. until the governor at last thought proper, after two years searching for charges, to com- mence a regular prosecution.
The accusation consisted of three heads :--
Ist. That he had broken open public letters directed to the Secretary's office, with the writs enclosed for calling an Assembly, in April, 1682, and took upon him the exer- cise of that part of the government which belongs to the Secretary's office, and was cou- trary to his ;---
2d. That he had made up the journal, and inserted his majesty's letter therein (which was first communicated to the house of Burgesses at their prorogation) after their pro- rogation ;---
3d. That he had refused to deliver copies of the journal of the house of Burgesses in 1682, to the lieutenant-governor and council, saying, " that he might not do it without leave of his masters."
This was all which could be charged against this faithful officer, after so long an im. prisonment, and so long a preparation for the prosecution. But of course they will not hear scrutiny, being only a flimsy veil thrown over their designs, rather indicating a wish to hide the naked deformity of the prosecution, than actually concealing it.
Before this notable prosecution was ended. Lord Culpeper for- feited his commission, and was sup needed by Lord Howard, who took the oaths of office on the 25th of February, 1684. His first measure was to call an assembly, which, as a popular act. induced the colony to hope some degree of mild iess in his administration ; but these hopes were soon dissipated. He pursued the unfortunate plant-cutters with renovated vigor, and such of them as had been excepted in a proclamation of general pardon were now executed, and their estates, after paying officer's fees, appropriated to the governor's own use.
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The assembly met and refused to proceed with business for the want of a clerk, as their former clerk was in prison, and they re- fused to elect another. In this situation of affairs the matter seems to have been compromised, the governor no doubt despairing of his conviction upon the absurd charges made, and Beverly and his friends willing to end bis long imprisonment and sufferings, by ask- ing pardon, at the same time not giving up the papers or the prin- ciples for which he suffered. Be this as it may, Beverly threw himself'upon the mercy of the court, declining to employ counsel or wake any defence, and was pardoncd. Probably these long-con- ยท tinued sufferings, with other persecutions afterwards endured. in- jured the constitution of Beverly, for we find that he died prior to April, 1687. His noble conduct induced king James, the then reign- ing monarch, to deprive the Burgesses of the election of their own clerk, ordering the governor to elect him, and requiring the assembly to make the clerk, so elected, the usual allowance for his services.
The accession of James II. was proclaimed with the usual de.
Feb. 15, 1685. monstrations of respect in the colony, and compli-
mentary assurances of loyalty on the one side, and gracious regard on the other. were exchanged between his subjects and the assembly. But nothing was done to secure the freedom of the colony, and Lord Howard took advantage of the succeeding recess of the assembly, to enlarge the fees and perquisites of his office, and to impose new ones without the advice or authority of the assembly. This body, which met in November, immediately took into consideration these arbitrary exactions, and passed spir- ited resolutions in reprobation of them, and made provision for the defence of the citizens from similar encroachments in future. To these acts the governor applied his negative, without assigning any reason. Lord Howard, not satisfied with thus stopping the legisla- tion of the colony, proceeded in effect to acts of executive legisla- tion, by issuing a proclamation, in obedience, he said, to the king's instructions, repealing several acts of the legislature, which were themselves repeals of former acts. and declaring the acts repeated by that body to be revived, and in full force, as before the passage of the repealing acts. This proclamation the assembly protested against as illegal 'and unwarrantable, as utterly subversive of the government, annihilating the right of the popular branch, anu bringing all to bow in humble submission to the mercy of the pre- rogative. The spirited conduct of the Burgesses could not be en.
dured by the governor, and he prorogued them. Det. 20, 1686. The governor had sent to James an account of ola conduct of this assembly. This representation produced in re ... from James, a furious, quarrelsome order, calling their condi : mutinous, and attributing it to their " unquiet dispositions .os!
ister intentions to protract the time of their sitting to the gre pression of his subjects, from whom they received wages; . cluding by an order for the prosecution of their clerk Beveris, whom he ascribes all of these evils.
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In the same year, several persons were imprisoned and punished for treasonable expressions. The council was now as servile as the governor could wish, and he proceeded without interruption in his system of arbitrary innovation upon the established usages of the colony, and the liberties of its citizens.
The province of New York belonged to the king as proprietor as Nov. 10, 1687. well as sovereign ; and, in order to strengthen this his own estate, he sent orders for all the other colo- nies to assist in building forts, and supplying garrisons for its west- ern frontier, alleging that these measures were equally necessary for the protection of all. In conformity to these orders a message was received from governor Dungan, requiring the quota of Vir- ginia ; but the legislature refused to appropriate a man or a far- thing for purposes from which they were to derive no benefit, but rather an injury, as the protection of the north-western frontier would drive the Indians further south, where they might commit their depredations upon the unprotected citizens with more im- punity.
While the colony was contending against their governor, a revo-
lution in England had dethroned the sovereign, and placed 1689. William and Mary upon the throne. This change, while it placed the council, which had made many loyal professions to James, in an awkward position, was an event producing unalloyed joy to the people of Virginia, as they could now hope for justice to be done to their oppressive governor.
Soon after this occurrence, the war broke out between the allied powers and Louis XIV. of France, and the colony was ordered to place itself in the best posture of defence.
The complaints of the Virginia legislature against their gover- nor at length were taken up by the privy council, and although the charges against Howard were not tried, yet redress against his usurpation was granted, at the same time that the principles upon which they contended that their rights had been violated, were de- nied to be correct. Howard pleading ill-health, was not deprived of his commission for not returning to the colony ; but as it was ne- cessary that there should be a governor upon the eve of a war. Sir Francis Nicholson was sent over. His conduct was mild and conciliatory, and consequently popular ; among other highly benefi- cial acts passed under his government, was one for the establish- ment of a college, which was very liberally endowed.
He was succeeded by Sir Edmund Andros as governor-in-chief, Sept. 20, 1692. who is represented to have been actuated in his administration by a sound judgment and a liberal policy ; to have been exact, diligent, and methodical in the manage- ment of business ; of a conciliatory deportment, and great gener- osity. Sir Francis Nicholson was again made governor-in-chief, in November, 1698. He was an ambitious man, who had served in the capacity of a governor and deputy governor in several of the colonies, and taken great pains to become popular, and tomake
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himself well acquainted with the situation of all the colonies, their wants, their trade, and their capabilities, with a view to unite them, if possible, under one government, over which he hoped to obtain the appointment of governor-general. The pressure of war, with the combined force of the French and Indians, which seemed now about to fall upon the colonies, and rendered some union necessary for the purpose of defence, seemed highly favora- ble to his design.
The French, at an early day, conceived a correct idea of the importance of the British colonies in America. The Count De Callier, governor of Montreal, during his residence in Canada, after a long experience, derived from observations on the spot, had formed the bold project of separating in two the English colonies by the capture of New York. The success of this scheme would mani- festly have destroyed that concert so necessary to harmony and efficiency of co-operation, and left the other colonies liable to be cut off in detail, and would effectually establish the safety of Canada. by enabling the French to keep in check the powerful savage confederation, composed of the Five Nations, which had lately, by a furious irruption, laid waste the country, even to the gates of Montreal and Quebec. This plan of Callier's was adopted Sept. 1692. by the French government. A fleet was sent to the bay of New York, with orders to retain possession of it until December, when, if no further orders were received, it was to sail for Port Royal, land its munition and stores, and return to France. The land force were to have marched from Quebec by 'the route of the Sorel River and Lake Champlain. This expedi- tion was defeated by a destructive inroad of the Five Nations, which carried death and desolation over the whole country, even to the very gates of the capital. This unforeseen occurrence ren- dered it necessary to retain the whole force at home, in measures of self-defence, and saved New York, without her having to strike a blow in her own behalf.
The British government, daily becoming more sensible of the importance of the North American colonies, and secing the danger to which they were exposed by the plan of De Callier, set on foot a plan of general defence in the year 1695, adjusting the quotas of each colony to the ratio of its population, and forwarding the scale to the different governors, to recommend for the adoption of the respective colonial assemblies. Several of the colonies re- jected this scheme, because several of those which were thought most exposed wished to employ it as their own interest dictated. Among the refractory was Virginia, which could not be pre- vailed upon, by all the art and ingenuity of the governor, aided by his great enthusiasm in this his favorite plan, to vote a cout te the enterprise, to his inconceivable chagrin and mortification. Nicholson. finding his own efforts utterly unavailing, laid the mat- ter before the king, and urged the propriety of forcing Virginia to see her true interests upon this occasion. William, in reply, recom-
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mended a new consideration of the matter by the General Assem- bly, alleging. upon the authority of Nicholson's report, "that New York was the barrier of Virginia against the Indians and French of Canada ; and as such, it was but justice she should defond jt." The assembly deemed it but due respect to his majesty to take the subject again into consideration, but found no reason to change their former opinion, declaring "that neither the forts then in being, nor any others that might be built in the province of New York, could in the least avail in the defence or security of Virginia ; for that either the French, or the northern Indians, might invade the colony, and not come within a hundred miles of such fort."
The failure of this great subject irritated the governor beyond expression ; and excited in his mind the most inordinate antipathy to the assembly. He charged the conduct of the assembly to a spirit of rebellion, and inveighed against what he called its parsi- mony, in the most unmeasured terms, offering to pay the quota of Virginia out of his own pocket, and boasting afterwards that he had done it ; but, at the same time, taking the obligation of the gentleman to whom he gave the bills, that no use should be made of them until the queen should remit money to pay them. This affectation of generosity was designed to gain popularity with the other colonies.
CHAPTER VI.
EVENTS FROM THE YEAR 1705 TO. THE TERMINATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
Gov. Nicholson superseded by Nott, and he by Jennings .- Administration of Goo. Spotswood -- he effects a passage over the Blue Ridge .-- Drysdale governor -- suc- ceeded by Gooch .-- Death of Rev. James Blair .- Notice of Col. Wm. Byrd .- Gooch's charge to the Grand Jury, against Presbyterians, Methodists, &c .- Burning of the Capitol at Williamsburg .- Revision of the Colonial Laws .- Departure of Gooch .---- Dinwiddie governor .- Encroachments of the French .- Mission of George Washing- ton beyond the Alleganies, to the French Commandant of a Fort -- its inauspicious results .- Gor. Dinwiddie prepares to repel the encroachments of the French --- Expe. dition against them under Col. Fry, and the erection of Fort Duquesne .- Washing- ton's skirmish with Jumonville-he erects Fort Necessity-he surrenders to the French, and marches back to Virginia .- The Burgesses pass a vote of thanks to him. Gov. Dinwiddie resolves to prosecute the war-the futility of his projects .- Arrival of Gen. Braddock .- Braddock's defeat .-- Bravery of Washington and the Virginia troops .--- Frontiers open to incursions from the savages .-- Fauquier governor .-. Troops destined for the conquest of Duquesne rendezvous ut Raystown .- Defeat of Major Grant, and heroism of Capt. Bullet .- Fort Duquesne evacuated .- End of the War.
The first half of the eighteenth century, to the breaking out of the French and Indian war, is extremely barren of incident in the - history of Virginia. Very little more can be given than a list of
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the various colonial governors, with the dates of their appoint- ments and removals. and a synopsis of their characters. This brevity arises from the fact that it was mainly a time of peace. which usually leaves but little of striking incident to record, of marked interest to the general reader .- although a narration of laws, and causes which advance or retard the welfare of society, or those things which exhibit a true portraiture of it, would arrest the attention of the political economist, and, to some degree, of all. Again, the annals of Virginia, during this period, are briet and unsatisfactory ; and, doubtless, much highly valuable material ix. in consequence, forever lost. Probably a thorough inspection of documents in possession of the British government would throw much light upon this period, and the colonial history of Virginia generally, and settle some points which, for lack of information, are now in controversy.
Gov. Nicholson continued in office until 1705, when he was su- perseded by Edward Nott, who survived his appointment but a few months. The death of Nott devolved the government on Ed- mund Jennings, the president, and the council. A commission, meanwhile, had issued, appointing Brigadier Gen. Hunter lieuten- ant-governor, under the Earl of Orkney; but he having been taken on his passage by the French, Col. Alexander Spotswood was appointed his successor. His administration commenced in 1710. He was an accomplished and enterprising man ; and had his suggestions to the British ministry been fully and promptly executed. they would have proved highly useful to the interests of Britain in America, at a time when France was endeavoring to wrest from her the trade and riches of the new world. Early in his administration, Spotswood, at the head of a troop of horse, effected a passage over the Blue Ridge, which had previously been considered an impenetrable barrier to the ambition of the whites. and discovered the beautiful valley which lies beyond. In com- memoration of this event, he received from the king the honor of knighthood, and was presented with a miniaturo golden horse- shoe, on which was inscribed the motto, " Sic jurat transcendere montes" -- " Thus he swears to cross the mountains."
In 1723, Spotswood was succeeded by Sir Hugh Drysdale. In 1739, when hostilities were commenced against Spain, and soon after against France, Spotswood was again called into service, and honored with the command of the colonial troops ; but he did not live to enjoy the returning smiles of royal favor. Drysdale was succeeded in office by Gooch, a brigadier-general on the Bri- ish establishment, who passed acts of the Assembly for the first time in 1727. During his administration, he commanded the col .- nial troops in the unsuccessful expedition against Carthagena. In 1943, died the Rev. James Blair, the first president of William and Mary. He was an eminent and learned divine, to whose exer- tions the institution owed much of its prosperity. His death o .. casioned a vacancy in the council, which was filled by Willian.
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Fairfax, son of the proprietor of the Northern Neck. Col. Www. Byrd, also a member of the council, died about this pericd. H. was a wealthy gentleman, of extensive acquirements, and one of the commissioners who had been appointed to run the dividing line between Virginia and North Carolina. His journal of the survey. which has descended to our times, is " marked by a spirit of unaf: fected humor, that does equal honor to his heart and understand- ing."
In April, 1745, Gov. Gooch made an address to the grand jury of the General Court, in opposition to the Presbyterians, Method- ists, and other denominations of Christians, who had at this time become numerous in Virginia. It illustrates the state of religious intolerance at that time, and, singular as it may seem to us of the present day, it met with the approval of the most gifted minds in the colony, " among whom were some that afterwards became dis- tinguished champions of an unqualified freedom in every thing that related to the human mind."*
In the year 1746, the public buildings in Williamsburg were burnt ; and the subject was shortly after agitated of removing the seat of government to some more central part of the colony. In the session of 1748, the assembly appointed the following named gentlemen a committee to revise the colonial laws :- Peyton Ran- dolph, Philip Ludwell, Beverly Whiting, Carter Burwell, and Ben. jamin Waller. Gooch, who had been governor of Virginia for upwards of 20 years, sailed for England in 1749, " amidst the bless- ings and tears of the people, among whom he had lived as # wise and beneficent father." The government now devolved on Robinson, the president of the council. At his death a few days after, Thomas Lee, who had succeeded him in the presidency, w'ss advanced to the chair of government.
In the year 1752, Governor Dinwiddie arrived in Virginia. Since the failure of De Callier's design upon New York, in 1692. the French in Canada and Louisiana, acting in concert, continued to extend their forts and strengthen their power by alliances with the Indians : thus at once endeavoring to unite their possessions, to monopolize the Indian trade, and to limit the British settlements. Gov. Dinwiddie, viewing with just alarm the encroachments of the French, in Oct .. 1753, dispatched George Washington, then but 21 years of age, on a mission to the French commandant of a fort on a branch of French Creek, about 15 miles south of Lake Erie.
This commission was delicate and hazardous, and required experience in the modes of travelling through the woods, and a knowledge of the Indian character. The dis. tance was nearly 600 miles, over rugged mountains and mostly through a howling wil- derness. The party consisted of eight persons: Jacob Vanbraam, interpreter, Mr. Gist, guide, and four others, two of whom were Indian traders. After much toil in an inclement season, in marching over snow-covered mountains and crossing rivers on frail rafts, they at length reached the junction of the Monongahela with the Allegany. Washington examined the place, and by his recommendation the fortification was erected there that afterwards became so much celebrated.
* For this address see Burke's History of Va., vol. III., p. 119.
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Twenty miles below the Forks of the Ohio, at Logstown, he called together some of the Indian chiefs and delivered to thein the governor's message, soliciting a guard to the French encampments. The principal sachem was Tanacharison, alias the Half- King. The sachems having met in council, Washington addressed them, explaining the objects of his mission. The Half-king made a pacific reply, and, in company with him and three other Indians, Washington finally set off and reached the French fort. M. de St. Pierre, the commandant, received him courteously. Washington presented his commis- sion and letter from Gov. Dinwiddie. This letter asserted that the lands on the Ohio belonged to the British crown, and urged a speedy and peaceful departure of the French. St. Pierre's reply was respectful, but uncomplying and determined. He said that the message should have been sent to the French governor in Canada, and that he would not retire unless ordered by him. While there, Washington was very politely enter- tained ; but the French commandant used artifice to detain the Indians. Finally, after much perplexity, the whole party embarked in a canoe on their return, and proceeded down as far as Venango, which they reached in six days. The passage was full of peril from rocks, shallows, and drifting trees. At Venango they found their horses, in an emaciated condition. To lighten their burden, Washington proceeded on foot, in an Indian walking dress, in company with Messrs. Gist and Vanbraam, the horses being under the direction of the drivers. After three days travel, Washington, with Mr. Gist, left the party and went on ahead, each with a loaded knapsack and a gun. The next day they met an Indian, whom they engaged to pilot them to the forks of the Allegany. The Indian acted very suspiciously, and it was soon conjectured from his conduct that he intended to murder them. They managed, however, to get rid of him, and travelled all night. The next evening, at dusk, they arrived at the Allegany river. Weary and exhausted, they passed the night on the bank, making their bed on the show, and cx posed to the inclemencies of the weather. When morning arrived they prepared to cross the river.
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