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 79
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This is the consummate glory of the great American ; a triumphant warrior, where the most sanguine had a right to despair ; a successiul ruler in all the difficulties of a course wholly untried ; but a warrior whose sword only left its sheath when the first kov of our nature commanded it to be drawn ; and a ruler who, having tasted of supreme power, gently and unostentatiousty desired that the cup might pass from him, nor would suffer more to vet bis lips than the most solemn and sacred duty to his country and bis God required !
To his latest breath did this great patriot maintain the noble character of a captain. the patron of peace ; and a statesmen, the friend of justice. Dying, he bequeathed to his beirs the sword be bad worn in the war for liberty, charging them " never to take it from the scabbard but in self-defence, or in defence of their country and her freedom ;"
George Washington Son So Augustine& Many his Wifewas Born, CHE y 11 Day Of February 1731/ about to in the Morning, & was Basting the 3. Of april 10 following Non Beverley Whiting& Cap! Christopher Toho Forfathers and "M" Mildred Gregory Formother ,
Fac-simile of the entry of the birth of Washington in the Bible of his mother.
He wrote on a certain 25 th of July when you ought to have been at Church , praying as becomes every good Christian man
"august 1762
Daten y" mo affecte v Obci I'Mafhington
Fac-simile of the writing of Washington.
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and commanding them that when it should thus be drawn, they should never sheath it, nor ever give it up, but prefer falling with it in their hands to the relinqu ishment thereof -words, the majesty and simple eloquence of which are not surpassed in the oratory of Athens and Rome. It will be the duty of the historian and the sage in all ages, to onit no occasion of commemorating this dustrious man ; and until time' shall be no more, will be a test of the progress which our race has made in wisdom and in virtue, to be de- rived from the veneration paid to the immortal name of WASHINGTON !
We now insert notices drawn from various public sources, of some of the other distinguished men of Westmoreland :
RICHARD HENRY LEE, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born at Strat- ford, Jan. 20th, 1732. He spent several years in an academy in England, from which he returned to his native country in his 19th year. His fortune being ample, he devoted his time principally to the elegant pursuits of literature. In 1755 he offered his services as a captain of provincials to Braddock; but he refused to accept any more assistance from the provincials than he was obliged to. In his 25th year, Lee was appointed a justice of the peace, and was shortly after first chosen a delegate to the House of Bur- gesses, where he soon acquired distinction in debate, and his voice was always raised in support of republican principles. In all the questions of controversy that came up bc- (ween the mother country and her colonies, Mr. Lee took an active part. He was ap- pointed on the most important committees of the House of Burgesses, and drew up some "of the most important papers, which " contained the genuine principles of the revolution, and abounded in the firm and eloquent sentiments of freemen."
It is stated that the celebrated plon of corresponding committees between the different colonies, adopted in 1773 by the House of Burgesses, originated with Mr. Lee. The same idea had, about the same time, been conceived by Mr. Samuel Adams of Massa- chusetts, which circumstance has occasioned much dispute. Mr. Lee doubtless follow- ed the suggestions of his own mind, as he had, five years previously, requested Mr. Dickinson of Pennsylvania, in a letter, to bestow his consideration upon the advantage of plans which he communicated to him of the same purport .*
Wirt, in describing him at this time, says : " Richard Henry Lee was the Cicero of the honse. His face itself was on the Roman model; his nose Cesarean; the port and carriage of his head, leaning persuasively and gracefully forward ; and the whole con- four aoble aud fine. Mr. Lee was by far the most elegant scholar in the house. He had studied the classics in the true spirit of criticism. Ilis taste had that delicate touch which seized with intuitive certainty every beauty of an author, and his genius that native affinity which combined them without an effort. Into every walk of litera- ture and science he had carried this mind of exquisite selection, and brought it back to the business of life, crowned with every light of learning, and decked with every wreath that all the Muses and all the Graces could entwine. Nor did those light decorations constitute the whole value of its freight. He possessed a rich store of historical and political knowledge, with an activity of observation, and a certainty of judgment that turned that knowledge to the very best account. He was not a lawyer by profession, but he understood thoroughly the constitution both of the mother country and of her colo- nies, and the elements also. of the civil and municipal law. Thus, while his eloquence was free from those stiff and technical restraints which the habits of forensic speaking are so, apt to generate, he had all the legal learning which is necessary to a statesuran. He reasoned well, and declaimed freely and splendidly. The note of his voice was deeper and more melodious than that of Mr. Pendleton. It was the cauorous voice of Cicero. He had lost the use of one of his hands, which he kept constantly covered with & black silk bandage neatly fitted to the palm of his band, but leaving his thumb free ; yet, notwithstanding this disadvantage, his gesture was so graceful and so highly finished, Chat it was said he had acquired it by practising before a mirror. Such was his prompt- Itude that he required no preparation for debate. He was ready for any subject as soon es it was announced ; and his speech was so copious, so rich, so mellifluous, set off with euch bewitching cadence of voice, and such captivating grace of action, that while you listened to him you desire to hear nothing superior, and indeed thought tom perfect. He had a quick sensibility and a tervid imagination, which Me. Pendleton wanted. Hence bis erations were warmer and more delightfully interesting ; yet still, to him those keys were not consigacd, which could unlock the sources either of the
* Wire, in the Life of Henry, says that in Virginia " the measure was brandy forward by Mr Thierry Carr, a new member freeh the country of Loura." (See p. a.M) Both Mr. Carr and Mr. Lee were of pointed upon the standing committee of correspondence consequent upon the adoption of the measure.
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strong or tender passions. His defect was, that he was too smooth and too sweet. His style bore a striking resemblance to that of Herodotus, as described by the Roman ora- tor : 'he flowed on, like a quiet and placid river, without a ripple.' He flowed, too, through banks covered with all the fresh verdure and variegated bloom of the spring ; but his course was too subdued, and too beautifully regular. A cataract, like that of Niagara, crowned with overhanging rocks and mountains, in all the rude and awful grandeur of nature, would have brought him nearer to the standard of Homer and of Henry."
In 1774, he was a member of the first general Congress, where he at once took a prominent stand, and was on all the leading committees. From his pen proceeded the memorial of Congress to the people of British America. In the succeeding Congress, Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the army, and his commission and instructions were furnished by Mr. Lee, as chairman of the committee appointed for that purpose. The second address of Congress to the people of Great Britain-a composition unsurpassed by any of the state papers of the time-was written by him this session. But the most important of his services in this term was his motion, June 7, 1776, to declare independence. His speech on introducing this bold and glorious measure, was one of the most brilliant displays of eloquence ever heard on the floor. After a protract- ed debate, it was determined, June 10, to postpone the consideration of this resolution until the first Monday of the July following ; but a committee was appointed to prepare a declaration of independence. Of this committee he would have been chairman, ac- cording to parliamentary rules, had not the illness of some of his family called him home. Mr. Jefferson was substituted for him, and drew up the declaration. He shortly resumed his sent, in which he continued until June, 1777, when he solicited leave of absence on account of ill health, and to clear up some stains which malice or over- heated zeal had thrown upon his reputation in Virginia. He demanded an investigation from the Assembly, which resulted in a most triumphant and flattering acquittal, by a vote of thanks for his patriotic services.
In consequence of Mr. Lee's great and persevering exertions to procure the independ. ence of his country, and to promote the cause of liberty, the enemy made great exer- tions to secure his person. Twice he narrowly escaped being taken. Onee his preserva. tion was owing to the fidelity of his slaves, and on the other occasion his salety was ewing to his own dexterity and presence of mind.
In August, 1778, he was again elected to Congress, but declining health forced him to withdraw, in a great degree, from the arduous labors to which he had hitherto devoted Himself. In 1780 he retired from his seat, and declined returning to it until 1784. In the interval he served in the Assembly of Virginia, and, at the head of the militia of his county, protected it from the incursions of the enemy. In 1784, he was unanimously chesen president of Congress, but retired at the end of the year, and in 1786 was again a member of the Virginia Assembly. He was a member of the convention which adopted the federal coustitution, and although personally hostile to it, he joined in the vote to submit it to the people. He was subsequently, with Mr. Grayson, chosen the first senators from Virginia under it, and in that capacity moved and carried through several amendments. In 1792, he was forced by ill health to retire from public life, when he was again honored by a vote of public thanks from the legislature of Virginia. He died June 19, 1794.
FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born Oct. 10, 1734. His education was directed by a private tutor, and he inherited a fortune. In 1765 he became a member of the House of Burgesses, and continued in that body until 1775, when the convention of Virginia chose him a member of the Continental Con- gress, in which he reinained until 1739, when he entered the legislature of Va. He died in Richmond in 1797.
HANRY Lce, a governor of Va. and a distinguished officer of the revolution, was born Jan. 29, 1756. His family was one of high respectability and distinction. At 18 years of age he graduated at Princeton College. In 1770, when but 20 years of age, he was appointed captain of one of the six companies of cavalry composing the regiment of Col. Theodorick Bland. In Sept., 1777, Capt. Lee, with his company, joined the main army. He introduced excellent discipline into his corps, and rendered most effective service, in attacking light parties of the enemy, in procuring information, and in foraging.
As Capt. Lee, in general, lay near the British lines, a plan was formed in the latter part of January, 1778, to cut off both him and his troop. A body of 200 cardry made an extensive circuit, and seizing four of his patro's, came unexpectedly upon him to his quarters, a stone house. Ile had then with him only ten men ; yet with these he made so desperate a defence, that the enemy were beaten off with a loss of 4 killed, and an
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officer and 3 privates wounded. His heroism in this affair drew forth from Washington a complimentary letter, and he was soon after raised to the rank of a major, with the command of an independent partisan corps of two companies of horse, which after- wards was enlarged to three, and a body of infantry. On the 19th of July, 1779, Major Leo, at the head of about 300 men. completely surprised the British garrison at Powles' Hook -- now Jersey City -- and after taking 160 prisoners, retreated with the loss of but 2 men killed, and 3 wounded. For his " prudence, address, and bravery," in this affair, Congress voted him a gold medal.
In the commencement of the year 1780, he joined, with his legion, the army of the south, having been previously promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. In the cele- brated retreat of Greene before Cornwallis, Lee's legion formed the rear-guard of the army. So hot was the pursuit, that Col. Lee at one time came in contact with Tarle- ton's corps, and, in a successful charge, killed 18 of them, and made a captain and seve- ral privates prisoners. Shortly after, Lee with his legion, and Col. Pickens with some militia, attacked a party of 400 loyalist militia under Col. Pyle, killed 90, and wounded many others. At the battle of Guilford, Lee's legion distinguished itself ; previous to the action, it drove back Tarleton's dragoons with loss, and afterwards maintained a sharp and separate conflict until the retreat of the main army, After this, Greene, in pursuance of the advice of Lee, determined to advance at once into South Carolina, and endeavor to reannex to the Union that and its sister state of Georgia, instead of watching the motions of Cornwallis. The results were as fortunate as the design was bold and judicious. In pursuance of this plan, Greene advanced southward, having pre- viously detached Lee, with the legion, to join the militia under Marion, and, in co- operation with him, io aliempt the minor posts of the enemy. Py a series of hold and vigorous operations, Forts Watson, Motte, and Granby, speedily surrendered ; after which, the legion was ordered to join Gen. Pickens, and attempt to gain possession of Augusta. On the way, Lee surprised and took Fort Galphin. The defences of Au- gusta consisted in two forts-Fort Cornwallis and Fort Grierson ; the latter was taken by assault, the former after a siege of 16 days. In the unfortunate assault upon Ninety- . Six, Lee was completely successful in the part of the attack intrusted to his care. In the battle at Eutaw Springs, his exertions contributed much to the successful issue of the day. After the surrender of Yorktown, Lee retired from the army, carrying with. him, however, the esteem and affection of Greene, and the acknowledgment that his ser- vices had been greater than those of any one man attached to the southern army.
Soon after his return to Virginia, he married a daughter of Philip Lodwell Lee, and settled at Stratford in this county. In 1786, he was a delegate to Congress ; in 1788, a member of the Virginia convention to ratify the constitution, in defence of which he greatly distinguished himself. From 1792 to 1795, he was governor of Virginia. On the breaking out of the Whiskey Insurrection, in 1755, he was appointed by Washing- ton to the command of the forces ordered against the insurgents, and received great credit for his conduct. In 1799 he was again a delegate in Congress, and upon the death of Washington, he was appointed to pronounce his eulogium. It was upon this occasion he originated the celebrated sentence : " First in war, first in peace, and first. in the hearts of his countrymen." On the election of Jefferson he retired to private life.
His last years were clouded by pecuniary troubles. The hospitable and profuse style of living so common in Virginia, ruined his estate, and even abridged his personal liberty. It was in 1809, while confined for debt, that he composed his elegantly written Memoirs of the Southern Campaign.
General Lee was in Baltimore in 1812, at the time of the riot occasioned by the publica- tion of some strictures on the war in the Federal Republican, an anti-war paper. After the destruction of the printing-office, an attack on the dwelling of the editor was apprehended. Lee, from motives of personal friendship to the editor, with a number of others, assen- bled for the purpose of proterting it. On being attacked, two oi the assailants were killed, and a number wounded. The military arriving soou after, effected a compromise with the mob, and conveyed the manates of the house to the city-jail for their greater safety. In the night the mob rrassembled in greater force, broke open the jail. killed, and mangled its inmates in a shocking manner. From injuries then received, Lee never recovered, He went to the West Indies for his health. His hopes proved futile. He returned in 1818 to Georgia, where he died.
Gen, Lee was about five feet nine inches, well-proportioned, of an open, pleasant countenance, and a dark complexion. Ilis inanners were frank and engaging ; his dis- position generous and hospitable, By his first wife, he had a son and a daughter ; by his second, (a daughter of Charles Carter, of Shirley,) he had three sons and two daughters
WASHINGTON,
Al Tradoo. N.Jersey, January 20 1773.
This Print is copied there a painting deposited by the Artist, ( the and of Washington ) in the Trumbull Gallery at Vwllovin Coun. Washington is represented viewing the every just after the pondist of the Greek bilar - Every acinate article of his dress down to the butters. the trappings of has horse &e were euxtilly drawn tim the vranimals.
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ARTHUR LEE, M. D., minister of the United States to the court of Versailles, was a native of Virginia, and the brother of. Richard Henry Lee. He was educated at the University of Edinburg, where he also pursued for some time the study of medicine. On his return to this country, he practised physic four or five years in Williamsburg. He then went to London, and commenced the study of the law in the Temple. During his residence in England he kept his eye on the measures of government, and rendered the most important services to his country, by sending to America the earliest intelligence of the plans of the ministry. When the instructions to Gov. Bernard were sent over, he at the same time communicated information to the town of Boston respecting the nature of them. He returned, it is believed, before 1769, for in that year he published the Monitor's Letters, in vindication of the colonial rights. In 1775 he was in London, as the agent of Virginia ; and he presented, in August, the second petition of Congress to the king. All his exertions were now directed to the good of his country. When Mr. Jefferson declined the appointment of a minister to France, Dr. Lee was appointed to his place, and be joined his colleagues, Dr. Franklin and Mr. Deane, at Paris, in December, 1776. He assisted in negotiating the treaty with France. In the year 1779, he and Mr. Adams, who had taken the place of Deane, were recalled, and Dr. Franklin was appointed sole minister to France. His return had been rendered necessary by the mali- cious accusations with which Deane had assailed his publie conduct.
In the preceding year Deane had left Paris, agreeably to an order of Congress, and came to this country in the same ship with the French minister Gerard. On his arrival, as many suspicions hovered around him, he thought it necessary to repel them by attacking the character of his colleague, Dr. Lee. In an inflammatory address to the public he vilified him in the grossest terms, charging him with obstructing the alliance with Fiance, and disclosing the secrets of Congress to British noblemen. He at the saine time impeached the conduct of his brother, William Lee, Esq., agent for Congress at the courts of Vienna and Berlin. Dr. Lee, also, was not on very good terms with Dr. Franklin, whom he believed to be too much under the influence of the French court. Firm in his attachment to the interest of his country, honest, zealous, he was inclined to question the correctness of all the commercial transactions in which the philosopher had been engaged. These dissensions among the ministers produced corresponding divisions in Congress ; and Monsieur Gerard had so little respect for the dignity of an ambassador, as to become a zcalous partisan of Deane. Dr. Lee had many friends in Congress, but Dr. Franklin more. When the former returned to America in the year 1780, such was his integrity, that he did not find it difficult to reinstate himself fully in the good opinion of the public. In 1784 he was appointed one of the commissioners for . holding a treaty with the Indians of the Six Nations. He accordingly went to Fort Schuyler, and executed this trust in a manner which did him much honor. In February, 1790, he was admitted a counsellor of the supreme court of the United States, by a special order. After a short illness, he died, December 14th, 1792, at Urbanna, in Mid- dlesex county, Virginia. He was a man of uniform patriotism, of a sound understand- ing, of great probity, of plain manners, and strong passions.
During his residence for a number of years in England, he was indefatigable in his exertions to promote the interests of his country. To the abilities of a statesman he united the acquisitions of a scholar. 'He was a member of the American Philosophical Society. Besides the Monitor's Letters, written in the year 1769, which have been mentioned, be published " Extracts from a Letter to Congress, in answer to a Libel by Silas Deane," 1780 ; and " Observations on certain Commercial Transactions in France," laid before Congress 1780.
BUSHBOD WASHINGTON Was born in this county, and educated at William and Mary He studied law in Philadelphia, and commenced its practice with great success in this county. He was a member of the House of Delegates in 1781. He afterwards removed to Alexandria, and thence to Richmond, where he published two volumes of the deci- sions of the supreme court of Virginia. Hle was appointed, in 1793, an associate-justice of the supreme court of the United States, and continued to hold this situation uatu his death, in Noverebei, 1829. He was the favorite nephew of Gen. Washington, and was the devisee of Mount Vernon. He was noted for sound judgment, rigid integrity, and unpretending manners.
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WYTHE COUNTY.
WYTHE.
WYTHE was formed in 1790, from Montgomery, and named from George Wythe, an eminent jurist, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence ; it is 24 miles long and 20 wide. The greater part of the county is a mountain valley, included between Wall- er's mountain on the Nw. and Iron mountain on the se. Wythe valley is an elevated table-land, about 2,200 feet above the level of the ocean. The surface is drained, principally, by New River and its tributaries. The soil is good, and peculiarly adapted to the cultivation of grass. Gypsum is advantageously used in agricul- ture. Wythe is rich in minerals, in iron, lead, and coal. Pop. in 1840, whites 7,632, slaves 1,618, free colored 125; total, 9,375.
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View in Wytheville.
Wytheville, the county-seat, is on the main turnpike from Har- per's Ferry to Knoxville, Tenn., 248 miles southwesterly from Richmond, 55 miles from Abingdon, and 27 from Newbern. This town was established by law in 1792, on land given by Stophel Zimmerman and John Davis; and the following gentlemen were appointed trustees : Alexander Smyth, Walter Crockett, William Ward, Robert Adams, James Newell, David McGavock, William Caffee, and Jesse Evans; it bore the name of Evansham, until changed to its present one in 1838. It contains & mercantile stores. 2 newspaper printing-offices, 1 Presbyterian. I Protestant Metho. dist, I German Lutheran, and 1 Catholic church. aad about 700 inhabitants. The village is neat, well built, and flourishing.
About, nine miles easterly of Wytheville, on the great road, an cientiy stood Fort Chiswell, which was occupied by British troops in Braddock's war. This spot was once the county-seat of Moat-
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gomery, and there is now standing a log tenement that was used for a jail. Tradition points to a stump at this place, as being the remains of the identical tree to which Daniel Morgan was tied and whipped for beating a British officer. We doubt the authen- ticity of the tradition. This occurrence, we believe, took place several hundred miles further north. The circumstances have been variously stated. We here give them as we received them from the lips of an officer of the revolution, who served under Morgan.
Morgan at that time had charge of wagons transporting bag- gage. An officer on this occasion came out and asked him why the wagons were not ready for the march. He replied that he had been delayed, but would have them ready as soon as possible. The other insultingly replied, if he did not hurry he would run him through with his sword. Morgan gave him a tart reply. The officer thereupon fell into a passion, and made a lungo at him with his sword. The latter parried the blow with a heavy wagon whip, broke his sword, and gave him a severe drubbing. A court- martial sentenced him to receive 500 lashes. After receiving 450 of them, Morgan fainted. He was then allowed to go free, as it was feared the complement would kill him. The officer after- wards becoming convinced of his error, asked Morgan's pardon.
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