USA > Virginia > The history of Virginia, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 18
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Unable to follow up his victory from a scarcity of provisions, Cornwallis withdrew to Wilmington, while Greene halted at Deep River. In the hope of drawing Cornwallis in pursuit of him, and thus relieving North Carolina from the domination of the enemy, Greene determined to push forward into South Carolina, and attack Rawdon, who, with nine hundred men, was stationed at Camden. When the news of this movement reached
311
1781.] DESIGN TO CAPTURE JEFFERSON.
Cornwallis, Greene was already too far on his way to be pursued with any prospect of advantage. Leaving Rawdon, therefore, to maintain himself as well as he could, Cornwallis turned his steps northward, and penetrating into Virginia, formed a junction at Petersburg, on the 20th of May, with the British force under Arnold.
Receiving soon after a reinforcement of four regiments from New York, he so far outnumbered the troops under La Fayette, that the latter was compelled to retire from Richmond toward the Rappahannock, for the purpose of meeting Wayne, who was advancing to join the southern army with a detachment of the Pennsylvania line, amounting to nearly a thousand men.
Cornwallis at once started in pursuit, but find- ing it impossible to prevent a junction of the pro- vincial forces, he turned his attention toward breaking up the detached posts in the interior of the state. A light infantry party under Lieu: tenant-colonel Simcoe was sent against Steuben, who was stationed with six hundred men at the junction of the Rivanna and Fluvanna Rivers, in charge of the military stores collected at that point ; while Tarleton, with a body of cavalry, was ordered to push on to Charlottesville, where the assembly was in session, to seize the burges- ses, and to attempt the capture of Jefferson, who had succeeded Patrick Henry as governor of the state, and resided in that vicinity. The expedi-
312
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1781.
tion under Simcoe succeeded in forcing Steuben to retreat, and in destroying the laboratory and armory which had been placed under his protec- tion. That under Tarleton was a partial failure. ·Seven of the burgesses, and twelve wagons, loaded with military stores fell into his hands, but Jef- ferson and the remainder of the delegates made good their escape. The two detachments having formed a junction, proceeded down the James River, ravaging the country on both sides of the stream, until they were called in to unite with the main army.
In the mean time, Clinton fearing an attack upon New York, by the combined American and French forces, had sent orders to Cornwallis to march toward the coast and take up such a position as would enable him to embark his troops in the event of their services being re- quired. In obedience to these instructions, Cornwallis marced toward Williamsburg, which he entered on the 28th of June. La Fayette, reinforced by the levies under Steuben, hovered closely in his rear. At the crossing of the river opposite Jamestown, the provincial troops at- tacked the British with great spirit, but after a sharp action were beaten off with loss. On reach- ing Portsmouth, Cornwallis was met by fresh in- structions from Sir Henry Clinton, directing him to take up a strong position and hold himself in readiness for future orders. Finding Portsmouth
313
1781.] MOVEMENT AGAINST CORNWALLIS.
unsuited for such a purpose, he selected the pe- ninsulas of York and Gloucester, as being more central and easier of access by the frigates and vessels which accompanied him. On the 1st of August, 1781, he concentrated the whole of his army at those points, which he strengthened soon after by a line of redoubts.
The grand drama of the revolution was now approaching its close. The expected arrival in the Chesapeake of a French fleet from the West Indies, enabled Washington to concert, with the Count de Rochambeau, a plan of operations, having for its object the capture of Cornwallis. Orders were immediately despatched to La Fay- ette, advising him of the intended movement, and directing him to occupy such a position as would prevent the retreat of the British into North Carolina.
After executing various manœuvres, by which the attention of Sir Henry Clinton was diverted from the real object of attack, the combined French and American forces marched, with great secrecy and rapidity, across the Jerseys to Phila- delphia. Proceeding from the latter city to the head of Elk, in Maryland, they embarked in transports already collected at that point, and floating down the Chesapeake, formed a junction with the troops under La Fayette, at Williams- burg, toward, the close of September.
In the mean time, the Count de Grasse had
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314
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.
[1781.
succeeded in entering the Chesapeake with a fleet . of twenty-six ships of the line, and several frigates. This large naval force was increased soon after by the arrival of the French squadron from Newport, under the Count de Barras.
The plan of operations having been definitely settled between Washington and the French com- manders, the allied army, amounting to sixteen thousand men, marched from the camp at Wil- liamsburg, and on the 30th of September, com- pletely invested Yorktown, where the main body of the British force, eight thousand strong, had been concentrated.
During the first week in October, the besiegers were occupied in opening intrenchments, con- structing breastworks, and in bringing up the heavy cannon and mortars from the ships. By the 8th of October, the first parallel, nearly two miles in extent, was completed. The next day, three batteries being prepared to open upon the town, Washington applied the match to the first gun with his own hands, and a furious cannonade immediately commenced. From the 10th to the 14th, the batteries of the allied forces kept up a tremendous and incessant firing upon the enemy, which was but feebly and ineffectually returned.
An event of unusual interest occurred on the 14th, in the simultaneous storming of two of the enemy's advanced redoubts, by two parties of picked men, the one body being wholly composed
315
1781.] CAPITULATION OF CORNWALLIS.
of French grenadiers and chasseurs, and the other of American light infantry. The van of the latter was commanded by Colonel Alexander Hamilton, who, after addressing his men in a speech of remarkable power and eloquence, led them to the attack with unloaded muskets, and carried the works at the point of the bayonet. The French storming party were equally suc- cessful. The captured redoubts being enclosed in the second parallel, the defences of the enemy gradually became untenable beneath the constant fire of the besiegers. On the night of the 16th, Cornwallis came to the desperate resolution of crossing his troops over to Gloucester Point, and by cutting his way through the small French force stationed there, endeavour to make good his re- treat to New York. A part of his troops were actually embarked, but a violent storm arising, the boats, after being driven for some distance down the river, were compelled to put back to Yorktown.
Hemmed in on the one side by the French squadron, and on the other by the American and French land forces, with his defences nearly bat- tered down, his ammunition almost exhausted, his provisions gone, and with no hope of receiving succour from Sir Henry Clinton, Cornwallis, on the 17th of October, proposed a cessation of hos- tilities, and the appointment of commissioners to arrange the terms of a capitulation. Articles
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1781.
were finally agreed upon, by which seven thou- sand British troops, with all the materiel of war, were surrendered to the American force; while the British ships, seamen, and naval stores, were given up to the combined French squadrons.
The final act of capitulation was peculiarly impressive. At the hour of noon, on the 19th of October, the combined army was drawn up facing each other, in two parallel lines, extending more than a mile in length. The Americans occupied the right side of the road, and the French the left. On horseback, at the head of the former, sat Washington, attended by his aids. At the head of the latter, was posted the Count Rocham- beau and his suite. The French troops were in complete uniform. The American forces were variously habited, and bore evidence of the toils and privations through which they had struggled
to a crowning triumph.
Outside these lines, and
thronging the fields beyond, was a' prodigious concourse of spectators, attracted thither by the imposing nature of the ceremony about to be per- formed. About two o'clock, and in the midst of profound silence, the captive troops, newly uni- formed, marched from the town, and defiled slowly between the lines formed for their recep- tior., with shouldered arms, colours cased, and drums beating. All eyes were anxiously turned to gaze upon their leader, but under the plea of illness, Cornwallis had transferred the command
317
1781.] CAPITULATION AT YORKTOWN.
to General O'Hara. When the latter arrived at the head of the line, he approached Washington and apologized for the absence of the commander- in-chief. General Lincoln was then directed to superintend the surrender, which was accom- plished in a spacious field near by. The mortifi- cation of the British troops at being compelled to ground their arms in the presence of their con- querors, was so rudely manifested in the violence with which they divested themselves of their ac- coutrements, and threw down their muskets upon the pile, as to call forth a strong rebuke from Lin- coln. Many of their officers were even more deeply affected. Colonel Abercrombie-the same who afterward distinguished himself in Egypt, and fell mortally wounded at the moment of vic- tory-no sooner witnessed the surrender of his troops, then he withdrew rapidly, covering his face, and biting his sword.
But if the capitulation at Yorktown was a source of profound humiliation to the enemy, it was productive of the happiest results to the American colonies. The War of Independence was virtually closed. Hostilities continued how- ever to be prosecuted in a languid manner, for some time after, in the south ; but it soon became evident that England, growing weary of a contest from which she derived no hope of regaining her lost authority, was desirous of bringing it to a close. Accordingly, early in 1782, negotiations
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318
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1783.
were opened for a peace, and on the 3d of Febru- ary, 1783, a provisional treaty was concluded.
CHAPTER XXVI.
Close of the war-Exhausted condition of the country-Cession of the public lands-Convention at Philadelphia-Adoption of the Federal Constitution-Opposition in Virginia-Origin of the Federalists and Republicans-Fears respecting the constitution-Repudiation of British claims-Opinion of Washington-Increasing prosperity of the Union-Diffi- culties with France-Alien and sedition laws-Madison's resolutions-Slavery-Fears of Virginia-Acts passed in re- lation to-Difficulties with England-English and French de- crees-Commercial distress-Declaration of war-Patriotism of Virginia-Peace proclaimed-Revisions of the Constitu- tion-Servile insurrection-War with Mexico-Past condition of Virginia-Present prospects-System of internal improve- ment-Relation of Virginia to the states.
THE exhausted condition in which the several confederate states were left at the close of the war, rendered the first few years that followed a period of intense anxiety at home, and of curious speculation abroad. Burdened with debt, im- perfectly united to each other, the commercial interests of the north conflicting with the agri- cultural interests of the south, at issue with respect to boundaries, and with the smaller states suspicious of the larger, the independence which had been achieved threatened to degenerate speedily into anarchy, unless the danger should be averted by mutual acts of concession and com-
319
1786.]
CESSION OF PUBLIC LANDS.
promise. Happily, that patriotism which had stimulated them to stand shoulder to shoulder in the great struggle for independence, now animated them to rise superior to all sectional considera- tions, and to work together for the general good.
The first, and most striking evidence of har- monious action between the states, was the cession to the federal government of the western lands. In this surrender of territory, both from the magnitude of her claims, and the validity of her title, either by patent or by conquest, Virginia was peculiarly conspicuous. But, although one of the objects of this grant of lands to the federal government was for the purpose of providing means by their sale for the gradual liquidation of the national debt, the process was necessarily slow; and in the mean time, the people of the several states were reduced by the expenses of the war, by the depressed condition of trade, and by the claims of their British creditors, to a state of bankruptcy and partial insurrection.
The powers vested in the old continental con- gress being wholly insufficient to remedy evils of such magnitude, Virginia took the lead in pro- posing a re-organization of the federal govern- ment. Delegates from six states accordingly met at Annapolis, in September, 1786; but finding themselves too few in number to carry out effec- tively the wishes of their constituents, they re- solved to adjourn, having first recommended a
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1788.
convention, to be composed of delegates from all the states, to meet at Philadelphia, the following May. This recommendation was finally carried into effect. On the 14th of May, 1787, the con- vention assembled at Philadelphia, elected Wash- ington its presiding officer, and, after a stormy session of four months, adopted, on the 17th of September, the present Constitution of the United States.
The new constitution was immediately laid be- fore the Continental Congress, then in session at New York, which, after some hesitation, trans- mitted a copy of it to each legislature, and recommended that state conventions should be called to decide upon its approval or rejection.
In the Virginia convention, which met at Rich- mond, in June, 1788, the ratification of the new constitution was strongly opposed by Patrick Henry and George Mason; but met with able advocates in Madison, Wythe, and Edmund Ran- dolph. After a long and animated series of debates, all opposition was silenced, and on the 27th of June, the constitution was adopted by Virginia, subject, however, to certain amend- ments, which were to be submitted to the other states for approval.
But, although the constitution was finally ratified by the whole of the states, its friends were scarcely more numerous than its opponents. For a long time after it went into operation, a
321
CONSTITUTION AMENDED.
1789.]
general doubt of its successful working pervaded the public mind. Some believed that it would lead to a breaking up of the confederation ; some thought the powers intrusted to congress and the executive were too extensive; while others con- tended that the executive authority was altogether too weak and dependent. These opposite opi- nions resulted in the formation of two great par- ties, the friends of the constitution acquiring the name of Federalists, while those who were hostile to many of its provisions, assumed the title of Republicans.
The Virginia assembly, which met in Novem- ber, 1788, were so fully impressed with the belief that the constitution required amendment in many of its most essential articles, that, following the example of New York, they framed an address to the federal Congress, advocating the call of a new convention, for the purpose of revising that instrument. Fortunately, perhaps, for the integ- rity of the Union, the suggestion was not adopted. The moderate men of both parties, conscious of the difficulty which had attended the framing of the system of government just established, were unwilling to retrace their steps over ground so dangerous. Some changes they conceded to be necessary, and accordingly, at the session of the first Congress in 1789, out of seventeen amend- ments proposed, twelve passed both houses, ten of which, being subsequently sanctioned by a
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1789.
majority of the state legislatures, became a part of the Constitution.
Notwithstanding these well-meant efforts at conciliation, several of the states were far from being satisfied. Prominent among these stood Virginia. Fearful that the creation of a strong central power would tend to weaken the sove- reignty of the states, many of the most eminent men, at the head of whom was Patrick Henry, adopted, from the first, opinions strongly anti- federal. The great mass of the people of the state also arrayed themselves on the same side, being insensibly led into opposition by the dread of having to pay the old debts due to British merchants, for the collection of which the federal constitution was supposed to furnish additional facilities. These debts, amounting in the aggre- gate to ten millions of dollars, "had become hereditary from father to son for many genera- tions, so that the planters were a species of pro- perty annexed to certain mercantile houses in London." Beggared as they already were from losses sustained during the war, and from the expenses of a contest so protracted, many of the planters, acting under the impulse of self-preser- vation, were not unwilling to repudiate claims, which they felt themselves incapable of liquidating without reducing their families to absolute penury.
The prevalence of a similar feeling, induced many of the state legislatures to pass laws to
323
POLITICAL DIFFICULTIES.
1789.]
prevent the collection of debts by British mer- chants ; and as these acts were in direct violation of the fourth article of the treaty, Great Britain refused to surrender the western and north-western posts until the claims of her subjects were satis- factorily adjusted.
The fine moral sense of Washington could not witness this infraction of the treaty without openly protesting against it. He deeply regretted that Great Britain should have any pretext for still retaining possession of any part of the territory confessedly belonging to the United States, and of exercising thereby a dangerous control over the Indian tribes which were scattered along the frontiers. "The distresses of individuals," said he, "are to be alleviated by industry and fru- gality, and not by a relaxation of the laws, or by a sacrifice of the rights of others."
Notwithstanding the ominous misgivings of many true patriots, the country slowly recovered from the extreme prostration into which it had fallen, and the prediction of Washington, that the day was coming when America, weak as she then was, would have some weight in the scale of empire, was in the sure process of fulfilment.
The eight years during which that great and good man occupied the presidential chair, were years of trouble and difficulty ; but it was upon the succeeding administration of the elder Adams
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.
[1789.
that the storm of political opposition most fiercely vented itself.
From the period of the arrival of Genet, as ambassador of the new French republic, in 1793, to the year 1798, the American nation had been subjected by that ill regulated power to a series of insults and injuries. Repeated efforts at re- dress having signally failed, a war appeared at length to be inevitable. For the purpose of pro- . tecting the administration at this crisis from in- ternal and external enemies, the famous, but un- wise, alien and sedition laws were passed.
By the first act, in relation to aliens, no foreigner could become a citizen unless he had previously resided in the United States for a period of fourteen years.
By a second act, limited in its operation to two years, the president was authorized to order out of the country all such aliens as he might judge dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States ; while by a third, all aliens, resi- dent in the country after war had been declared, upon a proclamation issued by the president, might be apprehended, or secured, or removed.
The sedition law, which was to continue in force for three years, was not less stringent. The first section imposed a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars, imprisonment from six months to five years, and binding to good be- haviour at the discretion of the court, " for any
325
ALIEN AND SEDITION LAWS.
1798.]
persons unlawfully to combine and conspire together, with intent to oppose any measures of the government of the United States, directed by proper authority, or to impede the operation of any law of the United States, or to intimidate, or prevent any person holding office from the execution of his trust, or to commit, advise, or at- tempt to procure any insurrection, riot, unlaw- ful assembly, or combination."
These laws met with the most vehement op- position in Virginia. A number of resolutions, drawn up by Jefferson, had already passed the legislature of Kentucky, in which the doctrine of state rights was advocated with great boldness and ability, and the alien and sedition laws de- clared void and of no force. In December, 1798, resolutions of a similar character, drafted by Madison, were adopted by the legislature of Vir- ginia.
The preamble to these resolutions declared that the powers of the federal government re- sulted only from a compact to which the states were parties ; and that in case of the exercise of powers not granted by the compact, the states possessed the right to interpose for the correction of the evil.
After expressing "deep regret at a spirit manifested by the federal government to enlarge its powers by a forced construction of the con- stitutional charter, and by an improper inter-
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1798.
pretation of certain phrases, to consolidate the states into one sovereignty, the obvious tendency and result of which would be, to transform the present republican system into an absolute or at best a mixed monarchy," the resolutions closed with a strong protest against the alien and sedi- tion laws, as " palpable and alarming infractions of the constitution."
But these opinions found only a partial sup- port in the other states of the Union; and sub- sequent experience has shown that the fears, which were at that day so earnestly entertained by many of the best and purest statesmen of the republic, were based upon an incorrect apprecia- tion of the intelligence and capacity of the people.
From this period, until the war of 1812, the history of the State of Virginia presents but few points of interest to the general reader. Silently increasing in wealth and numbers, the great mass of the population gradually became warmly attach- ed to that system of federal government which at first they had regarded with so many ominous misgivings. The only source of remaining doubt arose from sectional differences in regard to sla- very. The abolition, therefore, of the slave trade by Congress, was not viewed by any of the south- ern states without serious alarm, lest it should be followed by measures more directly interfer- ing with that species of property. This feeling of insecurity was increased in Virginia by the
327
1805.] DIFFICULTIES WITH ENGLAND.
consciousness that two attempts at servile insur- rection had already occurred during the years 1799 and 1801. It influenced the legislature of 1805 to pass a law, which authorized the appre- hension and sale of all emancipated slaves re- maining in the state for twelve months after ob- taining their freedom; forbade the education of orphan coloured children left in charge of the overseers of the poor; and ordered such free blacks as entered the state, to be sent back to the places from whence they came.
A deeper source of anxiety arose soon after in the critical relations of the United States with regard to foreign powers, but more especially with England.
After a long and sanguinary war, the genius of Napoleon had subjected every nation to his arbitrary will, with the exception of Great Britain. The fierce struggle for supremacy between these two powers led to infractions of the rights of neutrals, which were endured for a long time by the Americans, for the sake of the profitable carrying trade which the war in Europe had thrown into their hands.
At length England, jealous of the growing naval power of the United States, determined to check its increase by laying many of the French ports under embargo, and by declaring the ves- sels of neutrals bearing French products to be lawful prize. Napoleon retaliated by the famous
328
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1809.
Berlin decree, which was issued from the battle- field of Jena on the 21st of November, 1806. This decree declared the British Islands in a state of blockade, and prohibited all trade in English merchandise.
The effect of these acts was to put almost an entire stop to commercial enterprise in the Uni- ted States ; but the hope was still entertained that, either by negotiation or remonstrance, the causes for complaint would be eventually removed. Such hopes proved fallacious. Difficulties arose soon after with England in relation to the right of impressment, which an unprovoked attack upon the Chesapeake by the English frigate Leopard, off the Capes of Virginia, complicated still further.
The commercial states were not, however, as yet prepared to consent to a declaration of war, and various ineffectual measures were resorted to, during the four succeeding years, in the effort to avoid an appeal to arms.
In 1807, the ports of the United States were closed against British vessels ; but the great com- mercial distress which the restriction occasioned, led to its suspension at the ensuing session of congress. In 1809, a more comprehensive act was passed by congress, which prohibited all in- tercourse with Great Britain, France, or their dependencies.
These acts proving ineffectual, and all attempts
329
GENERAL CONVENTION.
1829.]
at an amicable adjustment of the points at issue having been met by evasions or delays, the pa- tience of the people became exhausted, and on the 18th of June, 1812, congress formally de- clared war.
In this declaration, as in the measures by which it was preceded, Virginia yielded a cordial support to the national executive; and upon the commencement of hostilities, her patriotism con- tinued to display itself in the alacrity with which volunteers from all parts of the state enrolled themselves for the defence of the country. For a long time the war was confined principally to the frontiers and the ocean; but when at length, in the summer of 1814, the enemy entered the Chesapeake, and attempted to ravage the borders of Virginia by various petty predatory incursions, the resistance offered by the local militia was worthy of the ancient reputation of the state.
Hostilities terminated a few months later. On the 24th of December, 1814, a treaty of peace was signed at Ghent, which was ratified by the United States on the 17th of February, 1815.
The subsequent history of Virginia is not · marked by any event of historical importance until the year 1829, when a general convention was called for the purpose of revising the old state constitution. The number of eminent men who occupied seats in this convention, gave a peculiar interest and importance to the minutes 28*
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1831.
of its proceedings; for, prominent among its members were ex-presidents Monroe and Madison, and Chief Justice Marshall-all three of whom had taken part in the formation of the original constitution.
It might have been supposed that the labours of a convention, composed almost wholly of the most distinguished men in Virginia, would have resulted in framing a constitution so well adapted to the wants of the people as to need no subse- quent revision for a long series of years. Unfor- tunately, the excess of intellectual force appears to have been fatal to the production of an instru- men't so desirable. Although it was ratified by the people, its many imperfections rendered it so constant a source of dissatisfaction, that a third convention was called in 1850, which, after a warm and protracted session, effected a thorough revision of the previous constitution, and allayed, to a considerable degree, the dissatisfaction of the people of Western Virginia by the adoption of a different and more equitable basis of repre- sentation.
During the year 1831, a great excitement was created throughout the state by a servile insur- rection in the county of Southampton, which, originating in the fanaticism of one Nat Turner, led to the massacre of thirty-five persons; but the terror created by this sudden and sanguinary
331
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
1845.]
outbreak, was speedily allayed by the arrest and punishment of the principal offenders.
In the Mexican war, which broke out in 1845, large numbers of volunteers from Virginia joined the armies of the Republic, and assisted in gain- ing that wonderful succession of victories which, from the banks of the Rio del Norte to the pass of Angostura, and from the ancient city of Vera Cruz to the walls of Mexico, were untarnished by a single defeat.
Almost wholly engaged in agricultural pur- suits, the people of Virginia have not, until within the last few years, become sufficiently aware of the necessity of adopting that important system of internal improvements, for which many of her less wealthy, but more energetic sister states, have rendered themselves so distinguished. The public mind, however, has at length become fully aroused from a condition of apathetic indifference, to one of active inquiry. Works of great mag- nitude, based upon the excellent credit of the state, are already projected; while the noble water-power of the James River, for many years so unwisely neglected, is beginning to attract that attention from practical business men, which its admirable capacity for manufacturing purposes has so long deserved.
The earliest settled of all the confederated states, Virginia, justly regarded as the birth-place of a great nation, has become endeared to the
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HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1845.
rest of the Union by the romantie incidents con- nected with her early career; and above all, by the steadfast manner in which she has always defended her rights and privileges, as displayed in Bacon's rebellion, in her systematic endeavours to retrench the assumed prerogatives of her royal governors, and in the fearless ardour with which she placed herself, first among the foremost, in constant and unwavering opposition to British oppression.
THE END.
STEREOTYPED BY L. JOHNSON AND CO. PHILADELPHIA.
965
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