% 
 
 
 
 
 
11 "^o^ ^c^ ^-^: 
 
 ^^-^. 
 
 
 ^b/^:i^^\c;^" ^\.'^i^*''^ "'^/^ 
 
 ?. '^" 
 
 
 ,^ ..•- 
 
 
 
 ^. ^^. 
 
 
 '^" 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^^-^ 
 
 o' <<i»^ 
 
 .s.^'-^^:^ ^,^^.* .^^-V^ 
 
 ^ ^ ^.Ci^fra^ ^ 
 
 '^- 
 
 
 
 
 4q. 
 
 .^^^^ V 
 
 
 
 ;^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 ■mm: ^\ • 
 
 '* '2:^' 
 
 
 
 
 'bV^ 
 
 't.. 'Je 
 
 
 
 •To^* .# 
 
 
 
 '.^' 
 
 HO 
 
 <0 
 
 
 ^ .0^ 
 
 
 
 
aSTORY OF VIRGINIA, 
 
 :ts discovery till the year irsi 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 I HE MOST DISTINGUISHED CHARACTERS THAT OCCUR IN 
 THE COLONIAL, REVOLUTIONAKY. OR SUBSEQUENT 
 S PERIOD OF OUR HISTORY. 
 
 BY J. W.CAMPBELL. 
 
 PETERSBURG, (Va.) 
 
 PUBLISHED BY J. W. CAMPBELL. 
 
 William Fry, Printer. 
 
 1813. 
 
DISTRICT OF I'ENNSYLVAMA, to avit: 
 
 I******** BE IT REMEMBERED, (hat on tlie fifth day of 
 
 * Seal. * August in the tliirty-eighth year of tlie Independence of 
 
 J«, ****** the Uniteil States of America, A. D. 1813, John W. 
 
 Campbell of the said district^ hath dejiosited in this office the title of a 
 
 book the. right whereof he claims as author in the words following to v it: 
 
 " A History of "Virginia, from its discovery till the year 1781. With 
 "Biographical Sketches of all the most Distinguished CharacterB 
 " that occur in the colonial, revolutionary, or subsequeni period 
 " of our History." By J. \V. Campbell. 
 
 In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, inti- 
 tviled, " An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the 
 copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of such 
 copies during the tinies^ therein mentioned." And also to the act, enti- 
 tled, " An act supplementary to an act, entitled " An act for the en- 
 couragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, '-^ .its, and 
 books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during -be times 
 therein mentioned," and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of 
 desio-ning, engraving and etching historical and other prints." 
 ° D. CALDWEEL, 
 
 r^^j ^ Cl Clerk of the District of Pennsylvania. 
 
 C^ 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 1 HE author of the following pages has en- 
 deavoured to compress into as small bounds as 
 possible all that is interesting in the history of 
 Virginia. A desire to render the work accessi- 
 ble to those who have neither leisure nor money 
 for voluminous publications, has perhaps led 
 him into a degree of baldness, at least to an 
 extreme of brevity. It is an extreme however, 
 which the reader if not willing to approve will 
 be most likely to pardon. 
 
 There are no doubt defects of a more se- 
 rious nature than such as arise from an uncour- 
 teous style or unskilful composition. For his- 
 torical inaccuracies his only plea is, that frailty 
 of mind and liability to err which is the lot of 
 all. It is sufficient for him to say that he has 
 sought truth unswayed by any bias known to 
 himself. If he has not been so happy as always 
 to find it, his failure affords but another proof of 
 the imperfection of human efforts, and the va- 
 
nity of human expectations. He who may be 
 disposed to censure error with severity, should 
 remember that truth is often obtained with dif- 
 ficulty. Perhaps he is passing judgment upon 
 labours he has not tried and would be unwill- 
 ing to encounter. 
 
 The labour of compiling a duodecimo vo- 
 lume would indeed be trivial, were the objects 
 of our research not often involved in obscurity 
 or enveloped in darkness. That mist which 
 overspreads ages past and gone, often bewil- 
 ders the diligent inquirer after truth, and de^ 
 feats the ingenuous efforts of the historian. 
 
 But whatever be the merit or demerit of the 
 work, the subject is certainly important to 
 all: — To the statesman who wishes to trace 
 from their foundations our political institutions 
 and the great fabric of our government; — to 
 the philosopher who delights to review the 
 gradations of civil society and the progress of 
 human knowledge; — to the less enlightened, 
 though not less important, citizen who sup- 
 ports by his labour the nation, and protects 
 her constitution by his sword. While they pos- 
 
sess the inheritance transmitted by their fathers, 
 they may learn to emulate their deeds. While 
 they review the wars and hardships of their an- 
 cestors, they may know how to appreciate the 
 blessings themselves enjoy. 
 
 The history of Virginia is on many accounts 
 of more importance than that of her sister 
 colonies. The early date of her origin, and the 
 singular adventures and achievements of h^r 
 first settlers: the important part she acted in 
 the great struggle for liberty, and the illustri- 
 ous characters she has given to our councils 
 and our armies: her central situation and com- 
 mercial advantages, conspire to give her a pre- 
 ponderance in the national scale, and render 
 her history well worth the attention of her citi- 
 zens. 
 
 Nor will the utility of this work be confined 
 to Virginia alone, whose history is interwoven 
 with that of the other states, and whose name 
 for many years served to designate the whole 
 of the English settlements on our coast. 
 
 The author cannot dismiss his prefatory re- 
 marks without tendering his thanks to those 
 A 2 
 
gentlemen who have endeavoured to aid him 
 in the prosecution of his work. From that very 
 worthy patriot and enlightened citizen who di- 
 rects the department of state, he received an 
 invitation which did him much honour and 
 %vhich he regrets he was unable to accept. In 
 his office are many documents of importance 
 to the historian, who may have leisure to exa- 
 mine and patience to select. To others he is 
 indebted for aid, which, although he may have 
 neglected to acknowledge, he is not willing to 
 forget. 
 
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA, 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 1 HE origin of Virginia is not, like that of 
 most nations, involved in fable and obscurity. 
 Not much more than two centuries have elap- 
 sed since our shores were first visited by Eu- 
 ropean adventurers. We are able to trace our 
 history from the first movements of colonial 
 infancy, and can mark with precision our moral 
 and physical progress. If a paucity of interest- 
 ing materials sometimes check our research, 
 we are compensated for the deficiency of mat- 
 ter by the recency of the events, and the interest 
 they are calculated to excite. To observe the 
 rise of society and the changes and revolutions 
 of states and empires, is the most pleasing, and 
 
not the least profitable employment of the hu- 
 man mind. But we must feel a peculiar interest 
 in reviewing the conduct and marking the po- 
 licy of our ancestors. We shall behold our state 
 from the very embryon of her existence rising 
 amidst enemies, and progressing amidst diffi- 
 culties towards her present grandeur and popu- 
 lation. 
 
 It was during the reign of queen Elizabeth, 
 that the celebrated sir Walter Raleigh project- 
 ed a settlement on our coast. This illustrious 
 statesman having obtained letters patent em- 
 powering him to discover and settle remote 
 lands, fitted out with the assistance of his 
 friends two small vessels for this purpose. 
 These, under the command of captains Philip 
 Amydas and Arthur Barlow, sailed from the 
 Thames on the 27th of April 1584. About the 
 middle of July they cast anchor at a place cal- 
 led Wococon* on the coast of North Carolina. 
 
 * Wococon, or Wokoken is supposed by Stith to be 
 that now called Ocracock. Beverly says, " they anchor- 
 ed at an inlet by Roanoke ;" and this opinion is confirm- 
 
Soon after their landing they were visited 
 by several of the natives, and among others by 
 the king's brother, whose name was Granga- 
 nameo. This chief discovered no apprehensions 
 from the intrusion of the strangers, but invited 
 them to sit down on his mat with him and his 
 attendants. 
 
 After this first interviewfrequent visits were 
 made by the natives, chiefly for the purpose of 
 trading in skins, corals, and other articles. 
 
 The village where Granganameo resided 
 was situated on the island of Roanoke, about 
 twenty miles from the place of their first land- 
 ing. Thither captain Amy das, with seven of 
 his companions, went on a visit, and were hos- 
 pitably entertained by the wife of that chief, 
 who was himself absent. 
 
 The town consisted of eight or nine houses, 
 built of cedar, and enclosed by a slender pali- 
 sade. The attention of the wife of Granganameo 
 
 ed by a passage in one of Barlow's letters to sir Walter 
 Raleigh, preserved by Hackluy t, and also by the accounts 
 of subsequent voyages. 
 
10 
 
 to the English is worthy of remark. It shows, 
 that hospitality is not confined to civilized na- 
 tions, and that the rudeness of the savage may 
 be mingled with the noblest traits of humanity. 
 She ordered the boat of the English to be 
 drawn on shore that it might not be injured 
 by the surge. When dinner was ready she in- 
 vited her guests into a room, where they were 
 presented with venison, fish and homony or 
 boiled corn.* How fearless soever the natives 
 might be of the designs of the English, all sus- 
 picion was not yet removed from the breasts 
 of the latter. Observing some of the Indians 
 
 * Hominy or homoni, as the word is spelt by Stith and 
 others, is too generally known in Virginia to need a des- 
 cription; but the origin of the word is involved in obscu- 
 rity. Whether it be an Indian word or a corruption in 
 civilized language I am unable to decide, nor shall I 
 trouble myself much to inquire. Bozman derives it fro'rn 
 the French omelet, as he writes it; but there is no such 
 word in the French language. The orthography being 
 omelette at once destroys the resemblance of sound 
 which in omelet or omele as it is pronounced, would 
 warrant his conclusion. 
 
11 
 
 approach with their bows and arrows, they 
 seized iheir arms and put themselves in a pos- 
 ture of defence. The wife of Granganameo on 
 this occasion endeavoured to remove their fears 
 by commanding those implements of war to 
 be taken from the Indians, whose vain or 
 thoughtless parade had excited alarm. In the 
 evening they returned to their boat, and lay at 
 some distance from the shore, for fear of some 
 hostility from the natives during the night. 
 
 The discoveries of the English during their 
 stay on these coasts were very limited. They 
 penetrated but a few leagues from the place of 
 their first landing, and gained from the natives 
 but little information respecting their country. 
 No trace of this coast having ever been visited 
 by any civilized people was discovered. No- 
 thing but a confused account of a vessel having 
 been wrecked on their shores about thirty years 
 before, was obtained from the natives. 
 
 About the middle of September our adven- 
 turers returned to England, carrying with them 
 two of the natives, Manteo and Wanchese, who 
 
12. 
 
 showed a willingness to visit the land of th< 
 English. 
 
 This discovery produced so much satisfac 
 tion to queen Elizabeth, that she named th( 
 country Virginia, in honour, as has been sup 
 posed, of her own virginity.* 
 
 Sir Richard Grenville with seven ships sailec 
 from Plymouth in the following year (1585), foj 
 Virginia. With him returned Manteo, whose 
 knowledge of his native country and the Ian 
 guage of the Indians, rendered him of singula) 
 service to the English both as a guide and in 
 terpreter. Under his guidance they visited seve 
 ral towns and made various excursions througl 
 the country. During their stay at one of the 
 
 * Others say the name was given by sir Waltei 
 
 Raleigh himself. " A cause de la repugnance que 1: 
 
 reine avoit pour le marriage, 11 (Raleigh) Tappela ei 
 
 son honneur, Virginia. 
 
 Recher. aur les Etats Unis. 
 
 The errors of this author however, are too numeroui 
 
 to allow much weight to his authority. The above sen 
 
 tence was founded on the mistaken opinioHi that sii 
 
 Walter Raleigh visited Virginia in person. 
 
13 
 
 towns called Akascogock,* an Indian stole from 
 the company a silver cup. This trivial oft'ence 
 brought destruction on their town, which was 
 reduced to ashes by their merciless invaders. 
 
 Grenville after this sailed for Hatteras, leav- 
 ing about a hundred men at Roanoke under 
 the command of Ralph Lane. During his stay 
 at Hatteras he received a visit from Grangana- 
 meo, whose friendship and services the English 
 had much cause to remember. He soon after 
 sailed for England, where he arrived on the 
 18th of September, with a Spanish prize, taken 
 on his way-t 
 
 * Called by some Scroton. See Bozman's Maryland, 
 p. 75. 
 
 t Burk's Virginia. 
 
 B 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 JjEFORE we proceed in our colonial his- 
 tory, it may be proper to give some account 
 pf the inhabitants of this newly discovered 
 country. Their history becomes so much 
 blended with that of the colony, as to make 
 an inquiry into their situation and population 
 at this time an object worthy the attention of 
 the reader. Our limits will confine us, however, 
 to a few general observations. 
 
 According to the account of captain John 
 Smiih, that part of Virginia that lies between 
 the sea and the mountains was inhabited by 
 forty-three different tribes of Indians. Thirty 
 of these were united in a grand confederacy 
 under the emperor Powhatan. The dominions 
 of this mighty chief, who was long the most 
 powerful rival, and most implacable foe, with 
 whom the English had to contend, extended 
 over that part of the country that lies south of 
 
15 
 
 the Potowmack betwixt the coast and the falls 
 of the rivers. 
 
 In comparison with civilized countries this 
 extensive territory contained but a scanty popu- 
 lation. The Powhatan confederacy consisted of 
 but about eight thousand inhabitants, which is 
 less than a twentieth of its present population. 
 
 Besides this confederacy, there were two 
 others w^hich were combined against that of 
 Powhatan. These were the Mannahoacks and 
 Manakins; the former of whom, consisting of 
 eight tribes, occupied the country lying between 
 Rappahannock and York rivers; and ihe latter, 
 consisting of five tribes, was settled between 
 York and James rivers above the falls. Besides 
 these, were the Nottoways, the Meherricks, 
 the Tuteloes, and several other scattering and 
 independent tribes. 
 
 The hereditary dominions of Powhatan lay 
 on James river which originally bore his name.* 
 He had a seat on this river about a mile below 
 
 * Powhatan, Anowhattock, Appamattock, Paniunkey. 
 Youghtanund and Mattapoment, descended to him from 
 Ills ancestors. 
 
16 
 
 the falls, where Richmond now stands, and 
 another at Werowocomoco on the north side of 
 York river, within the present county of Glou- 
 cester.* 
 
 This monarch was remarkable for the strength 
 and vigour of his body, as well as for the ener- 
 gies of his mind. He possessed great skill in. 
 intrigue and great courage in battle. His equa- - 
 nimity in the career of victory, was only equall- 
 ed by his fortitude in the hour of adversity. 
 If he had many vices incident to the savage 
 life, he had some virtues seldom found among 
 the civilized. He commanded a respect rarely 
 paid by savages to their werowance, and main- 
 tained a dignity and splendour worthy the 
 monarch of thirty nations. He was constantly 
 attended by a guard of forty warriors, and dur- 
 ing the night a sentry regularly watched his 
 palace. Though unlimited by custom in the 
 number of his wives, his seraglio exhibited 
 the apathy of the Indian character. When he 
 slept one of his women sat at his head and 
 
 * See Trumbull's History of the United States, chap- 
 ter first, and Jefferson's Notes. 
 
17 
 
 another at his feet. When he dined they at- 
 tended him with water, or brought him a 
 bunch of feathers to wipe his hands. His re- 
 galia, free from the glitter of art, showed only 
 the simple royalty of the savage. He wore a 
 robe composed of skins, and sat on a throne 
 spread with mats and decked with pearls and 
 with beads. The furniture of his palace, like 
 the qualities of his mind, was adapted to war, 
 and the implements of death rather than of 
 pleasure garnished his halls. 
 
 The small number of the natives compared 
 with their extent of territory, may to some be 
 a matter of wonder. It is however a circum- 
 stance inseparable from savage life, where 
 the checks to population are numerous and 
 powerful. Amongst uncivilized nations the 
 means of subsistence are often precarious and 
 always scanty. The labours and hardships of 
 the women, and the constant and destructive 
 wars of the men, e(]ually tend to retard the 
 progress of population. 
 
 When the first settlement of Europeans was 
 made in Virginia, k is probable the whole 
 
 nf B2 
 
18 
 
 number of Indians did not amount to twenty 
 thousand.* The wants and even the superfluities 
 of civilized life tend equally to condense and 
 increase the mass of society. Arts and manu- 
 factories, trade and commerce, strengthen its 
 bonds and promote its population. But to sa- 
 vages who support themselves by hunting, 
 whose places of abode are the forest and the 
 wilderness, the multiplication of their species 
 is rather an inconvenience than a blessing, as it 
 lessens the public stock and divides the means 
 of subsistence. 
 
 The Indians of Virginia were generally well 
 formed, and something above the European sta- 
 ture. Smith, in his History of Virginia, repre- 
 sents some of the tribes, particularly the Sus-. 
 quehannocks, as approaching to the gigantic. 
 He describes one of their chiefs, the calf of 
 whose leg, he says, measured three quarters of 
 a vard in circumference. Their complexion in 
 infancy is white, but in riper age it becomes a 
 
 * Trumbull estimates their population at sixteen 
 thousand. See his History of the United States, page 33. 
 
19 
 
 copper brown. Their hair is straight, long, and 
 dark. In their moral disposition they are gene- 
 rally cunning and deceitful, and always revenge- 
 ful and cruel. Such was the state and character 
 of the people whom the English found scattered 
 over the wilds and forests of America. 
 
 The colony left at Roanoke made some at- 
 tempts to explore the interior of the country. 
 They penetrated on the north as far as the 
 Chesapeake nation of Indians, who were situ- 
 ated on what is now called Elizabeth river, 
 and to Secotan* on the south. Towards the 
 northwest they discovered the Chowhanocks, 
 who dwelt about the junction of the Mcherrin 
 and Nottoway rivers. The chief of this tribe 
 amused the English with an account of a cop- 
 per mine and pearl fishery, and a marvellous 
 description of the source of the Roanoke, 
 which he said gushed from a rock on the 
 borders of a great ocean. The credulous ad- 
 venturers supposing this to be the south sea 
 
 * Secotan was an Indian town situated between the 
 Neus and Paniptico, about eij^hty miles distant from 
 Roanoke. 
 
20 
 
 hoped soon to find a short route to South 
 America. With a view also of finding rich 
 mines they ascended the river in their boats 
 until want of provisions compelled them to re- 
 turn. About this time they met with a real loss 
 in the death of Gianganameo, whose friend- 
 ship to the English had been constant and sin- 
 cere. 
 
 Many of tlie Indian chiefs, who had heard 
 of the arrival of the English, began to testify 
 their friendship by presents and by visiting the 
 colony, accompanied by numbers of their sub- 
 jects. The king of the island however, whose 
 name was Wingina, did not imitate the exam- 
 ple of Granganameo and other friendly natives. 
 When the English arrived in his country he 
 was confined b) wounds which he had received 
 in battle. He had no sooner recovered than 
 he began to plot the ruin of the invaders. For 
 this purpose he issued secret orders to his 
 warriors to ^ssemble and attack the colony. 
 The plot fortunately for the English was dis- 
 covered, and Wingina and a number of his 
 men were drawn into ambush and slain. 
 
21 
 
 During this year, (1585) sir Francis Drake, 
 who had been cruising in the West Indies 
 against the Spaniards, visited the infant colony 
 in Virginia, and supplied them with such arti- 
 cles as their wants required. He gave them a 
 ship also, to enable them, in case their situation 
 miide it necessary, to return to England. Be- 
 fore he left the coast of Virginia there happen- 
 ed a violent storm, which drove their vessel 
 from its anchorage, and so alarmed the colo- 
 nists that they determined to abandon their 
 settlement. They sailed with Drake for Eiig- 
 land, where they arrived in July 1586.* 
 
 * See Burk's Virginia, vol. I 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 A. FEW days after the departure of Lane and 
 his companions for England, sir Richard Gren- 
 ville arrived with three ships, and provisions 
 for the colony. Finding none of the colonists, 
 they suspected that they had been extermina- 
 ted by the Indians. Their fears were removed 
 by the informati(Dn of Manteo, from whom they 
 learned that their countrymen had returned to 
 England with sir Francis Drake. Sir Richard 
 Grenville concluded to leave fifty men at Roa- 
 noke, and having supplied theu. with provi- 
 sions for two years, he returned to England. 
 
 The following year John White with three 
 ships sailed for Virginia. He was appointed 
 governor of the colony with the assistance of 
 twelve counsellors. On their arrival at Cape 
 Hatteras, they despatched a party in search of 
 the fifty men left at Roanoke by Grenville. 
 They found their houses abandoned, their fort 
 
23 
 
 destroyed, and no sign of recent habitation, 
 except the bones of a man on the place where 
 the fort had stood. Twenty men under the 
 guidance of Manteo were then sent to Croatan* 
 to gain, if possible, some information respect- 
 ing the colony. They there understood that in 
 a quarrel betwixt Wingina's people and the 
 English, one of the latter had been slain, and 
 that they had soon after abandoned' the settle- 
 ment. 
 
 On the 13th of August Manteo underwent 
 the ceremony of baptism, and for his friendship 
 to the English was honoured with the title of 
 lord of Dessamonpeake.f White soon after- 
 wards returned to England, leaving one hun- 
 dred persons on one of the islands adjacent to 
 Hatteras. 
 
 In the year 1589 sir Walter Raleigh assign- 
 ed to Thomas Smith and others his patent, 
 with a donation of one hundred pounds for the 
 
 * Croatan was an Indian town situated near Ocracock 
 inlet on Core Bank. 
 
 t Dessamonpeake — a tribe of Indians were so called. 
 
24 
 
 propagation of Christianity in Virginia. The 
 projects of Raleigh for the discovery and set- 
 tlement of Virginia had been attended with 
 much expense and many disappointments. To 
 the enterprise of this illustrious but unfortu- 
 nate nobleman, however, we may be proud to 
 trace our origin. Sir Walter Raleigh was 
 equally distinguished as a soldier, a states- 
 man, and a scholar. During the reign of queen 
 Elizabeth he was among the first courtiers in 
 the kingdom, no less honoured for his talents 
 than beloved for his virtues and admired for 
 his accomplishments. He early excited the en- 
 mity of the Spanish Court by his active enter- 
 prizes against that nation both in Europe and 
 America. On the accession of James I. he lost 
 his interest at court, and was tried and con- 
 demned for a conspiracy against the king. He 
 was however reprieved, and was employed af- 
 terwards in die public service of his monarch. 
 The sentence of death was still suspended 
 over his head, and was at last executed to ap- 
 pease the wrath of his enemies. He suffered in 
 the sixty-sixth year of his age. His talents and 
 
25 
 
 his virtues merited a better fate, and his name, 
 however it may have been traduced by his 
 enemies, deserves a place amongst those whose 
 actions have been the theme of other nations 
 and whose misfortunes have been the disgrace 
 of their own. 
 
 John White again sailed for Virginia in the 
 year 1590, with three ships supplied with pro- 
 visions for the colony. They came to anchor on 
 the 15th of August, and the first object of their 
 search was the men that had been left on the 
 island near Hatteras. They fired a cannon to 
 announce their arrival, and although they dis- 
 covered smoke at the place where the colony 
 had been left, they found no person. Observing 
 on a post the word Croatan, in large letters, 
 they weighed anchor for that place, but meet- 
 ing with disastrous fortune, they changed their 
 course and steered for the West Indies, neg- 
 lecting the welfare of the colony to preserve 
 their own. 
 
 A succession of unfortunate voyages began 
 to damp the spirit of discovery, which was not 
 again revived until the year 1606. 
 C 
 
26 
 
 Bartholomew Gosnold, an cnterprizlng navi- 
 gator, obtained letters patent from James the 
 First, who had succeeded Elizabeth on the 
 throne of England, by which that tract of coun- 
 try from thirty-four to forty-five degrees of 
 north latitude was divided into southern and 
 northern colonies of Virginia, and persons ap- 
 pointed as a council for both divisions. About 
 this time the celebrated adventurer John Smith 
 arrived in London, decked with the laurels of 
 military adventure and heroic achievement. To 
 him Gosnold made knoun his projects, and 
 engaged him to enter into the spirit of the en- 
 terprise. As Smith is to act a conspicuous part 
 in the colonial history of Virginia, it may be 
 amusing to the reader to have a sketch of his 
 life previous to his adventures in America. He 
 was born at Willoughby in England in the 
 year 1579. He early discovered a romantic 
 turn of mind, which at the age of fifteen he 
 endeavoured to gratify by embarking for France 
 in the train of a young nobleman. After visit- 
 ing Paris, he travelled into the low countries, 
 where he learned the art of war. At the age of 
 
21 
 
 seventeen he entered into the train of a French- 
 man, who persuaded him to accompany him to 
 France. They arrived at St. Valory during the 
 night, where, with the connivance of the mas- 
 ter of the vessel, the trunks of Smith were 
 carried on sliore and plundered by the French- 
 man, who made his escape before the landing 
 of our adventurer. When Smith came on shore, 
 he found himself deprived of his baggage, and 
 deserted by his companion. He afterwards em- 
 barked at Marseilles for Italy, in company with 
 a number of pilgrims. On their passage there 
 arose a violent storm, which the pilgrims im- 
 puted to their having a heretic on board. They 
 were at length induced by their superstitious 
 fears to throw Smith into the sea, in order to 
 calm its waves. He swam to land, which for- 
 tunately was at no great distance, and was next 
 day taken on board a ship which was going to 
 Egypt. After coasting the Levant he was at 
 length set on shore with a box of one thousand 
 chequins, which enabled him to pursue his 
 travels. His roving disposition carried him into 
 Stiria, where he was introduced to lord Eber» 
 
28 
 
 spaiig'ht and baron KizeJ. The emperor being- 
 then at war with the Turks, Smith entered his 
 army as a volunteer. When Eberspaught was 
 besieged in Olimpack by the Turkish army, 
 and cut off from all means of intelhgence, he 
 obtained relief by means of a telegraph con- 
 structed by Smith. Information was given of 
 their design to attack the Turks on the east 
 quarter, and advising Eberspaught at what 
 time to make a sally. The Turks were defeat- 
 ed, and the enterprise of Smith was rewarded 
 with the command of a troop of horse. 
 
 At the siege of Rigal the Ottomans sent a 
 challenge to the Transylvanian army, announc- 
 ing the offer of the lord Turbisha to fight any 
 captain of the christian troops. Thirty of the 
 bravest captains being selected, they chose by 
 lot one of that number to fight the Turkish 
 hero. The lot fell upon Smith, who cheerfully 
 accepted the challenge. He met his antagonist 
 on horseback, and soon bore away his head in 
 the presence of both armies. He immediately 
 received and accepted a challenge from another 
 
2y 
 
 Turkish lord, who shared the fate of the for- 
 mer. 
 
 Smith, in his turn, sent an offer to the 
 enemy, which was accepted by Bonamalgro. 
 This Turk unhorsed Smith and had nearly 
 gained the victory, but fortune at length de- 
 clared for the English captain, and enabled 
 him to add to the glory of his former victories 
 the head of Bonamalgro. For these exploits he 
 was honoured with a grand military proces- 
 sion, in which three Turks' heads borne on 
 the points of lances, graced their march. In. 
 addition to these honours, his general, the lord 
 Aloyzes, presented him with a horse richly 
 caparisoned, a sword and belt worth three hun- 
 dred ducats, and a commission of major in his 
 regiment. 
 
 Some time after this the Transylvanian army 
 was defeated, and Smith being wounded in the 
 battle, lay among the slain. He was taken pri- 
 soner by the enemy, and after being cured of 
 his wounds he was sold to the bashaw Bogul, 
 who sent him as a present to his mistress Tra- 
 gabigzanda at Constantinople. This lady be- 
 C2 
 
30 
 
 came captivated with the fine appearance and 
 heroic character of her prisoner, but fearing 
 he might be ill-treated by Bogul on his return, 
 she sent him for safety to her brother the ba- 
 shaw of Nailbraitz on the borders of the sea 
 of Asoph. This transfer proved a very unfor- 
 tunate one for our adventurer, who exchanged 
 the amatory smiles of his mistress for the op- 
 pressive commands of an unfeeling master. 
 Within an hour after his arrival he was drest 
 in haircloth, and sent, with his head shaved and 
 an iron collar about his neck, to work among 
 the slaves of the bashaw. In this hopeless situ- 
 ation his services were rewarded only by se- 
 vere blows and repeated indignities, to which 
 his proud spirit could not long submit. One 
 day, while he was threshing in the field, his 
 master began to beat him in his usual rigor- 
 ous and brutal manner. Smith, unable to bear 
 the treatment of his tyrant any longer, raised 
 his flail and beat out his brains. Then hiding 
 his body in the straw, he filled a bag with grain, 
 and set off on his master's horse through the 
 inhospitable deserts of Russia. After travelling 
 
31 
 
 through the wilds for sixteen days, he at length 
 arrived at a Russian garrison on the river Don, 
 where ht was kindly received. He afterwards 
 visited France, Spain, Germany, and Morocco, 
 and returned at last to England.* Such is the 
 history of the man whom Gosnold engaged 
 to accompany him to America. His adventures 
 in the western world remain yet to be told. 
 They will be e(jually amusing to the reader, 
 and as they more directly belong to our sub- 
 ject, they shall be more minutely related, as 
 they occur in the course of our history. 
 
 * See an account of his life in Stith's History of Vii- 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 On the 19th of December 1606, Gosnold 
 sailed from Blackvvall with two ships, under 
 the command of captain Christopher Newport. 
 In this voyage captain Smith, whose active 
 mind had already excited the envy of the other 
 adventurers, was arrested on a charge of aim- 
 ing at usurping the power vested in the coun- 
 cil, and kept in confinement during the rest of 
 the voyage. On the 26th of April 1607 they 
 entered the bay of Chesapeake, and gave to 
 the two points of land which formed its en- 
 trance, the names of the king's two sons, 
 Charles and Henry.* 
 
 On opening their orders, which had been 
 delivered them in a sealed box, it appeared 
 that Bartholomew Gosnold, John Smith, Ed- 
 
 * Henry was then prince of Wales; Charles was after- 
 wards king of England, to wit, the first of that name. 
 
32 
 
 ward Maria Wingfield, Christopher Newport, 
 John Martin, John Ratcliffe and George Ken- 
 dall, were appointed a council for the colony. 
 Having elected Wingfield president, they en- 
 tered on their minutes their reasons for exclud- 
 ing Smith from a participation in the duties of 
 the council. 
 
 The first river they entered was called by 
 the natives Powhatan, but by the English was 
 honoured with the name of their own sove- 
 reign. While in search of a place of settle- 
 ment, they met \\ ith some Indians who invited 
 them to their town Kichotan, which stood 
 where Hampton now stands, and regaled them 
 with tobacco and a dance.* In their passage 
 up the river, they met with another party of 
 the natives, whose chief, with a bow and arrows 
 in one hand and a pipe with tobacco in the 
 other, demanded the cause of their coming. 
 
 On the 13th of May they landed at a place 
 to which they gave the name of Jamestown. 
 At this memorable spot die first permament 
 
 * See Smith's History of Virginiit. 
 
S3 
 
 settlement was made in Virginia. The Indians 
 who inhabited the adjacent country appeared 
 friendly, and their chief Paspiha sent the Eng- 
 lish a present of venison, and offered them as 
 much land as they should want. 
 
 Captain Newport, accompanied by captain 
 John Smith, who was released from confine- 
 ment though not absolved from the charge of 
 treason, ascended the river with only twenty 
 men, as high as the falls. During this excursion 
 they made their first visit to the seat of the em- 
 peror Powhatan. The town where this monarch 
 of so many nations then resided, stood about 
 two miles below where Richmond now stands, 
 and consisted of about a dozen of houses.* 
 
 The first appearance of the natives was cal- 
 culated to inspire confidence in the English; 
 but the traits of the Indian character were not 
 yet fully unfolded. A little farther acquaintance 
 seemed necessary to put the English on their 
 guard against that hostile spirit which lurked 
 
 * The site of the town is now part of a farm belongings 
 to Mr. William Mayo. 
 
35 
 
 under the mask of friendship. An opportunity 
 offercd in the absence of Smith and Newport 
 of estimating the faith and attachment of the 
 natives. The colony at Jamestown was attack- 
 ed by a party of Indians, who killed one and 
 wounded seventeen of the English. This at- 
 tack showed them the necessity of union 
 among themselves, and more vigilance to- 
 wards their enemies. 
 
 Hitherto they had been distracted by do- 
 mestic feuds, the constant companions of popu- 
 lar and incongruous bodies. They were now 
 compelled to think of their mutual defence. A 
 fort which had been constructed since their 
 arrival was strengthened by a palisade, and 
 mounted with five pieces of cannon. 
 
 Captain Smith, who had strenuously de- 
 manded a trial, at length succeeded in his 
 wishes, against the machinations of his ene- 
 mies. He was acquitted of the charges against 
 him, and consequently admitted to his seat in 
 the council. 
 
 On the 22d of June 1607, Newport returned 
 to Jiingland, leaving in Virginia one hundred 
 
and four persons, with but a scanty stock oS 
 provisions. Owing to the scarcity or bad qua- 
 lity of their food, and no doubt in part to the 
 climate, which now when meliorated by the 
 cultivation of the soil is not of the most salu- 
 brious kind, about fifty of those that remained 
 at Jamestown died within a month after the de- 
 parture of Newport. The survivors lived dur- 
 ing the summer chiefly on crabs and sturgeon. 
 
 During this time of famine and distress, the 
 president Wingfield was charged with feasting 
 on the provisions belonging to the colony, and 
 other improper conduct. What might have 
 been the degree of his guilt it is not worth our 
 time to inquire. It is sufficient to observe, that 
 the council dismissed him from his office, and 
 elected John Ralcliife in his room. 
 
 The adventurous mind of Smith, which 
 could not be restrained by the love of ease 
 nor the fear of danger, led him into various 
 parts of the country, and enabled him to make 
 important discoveries. In one of these excur- 
 sions he discovered the people of Chickaho- 
 mony. In another he procured a quantity of 
 
37 
 
 corn, as a ransom for an idol which he had 
 taken from tlie Kickotan Indians. He made 
 another voyage up the river, with a design of 
 exploring the source of the Chickahomony, 
 After ascending as far as possible in a boat, he 
 proceeded in a canoe, accompanied by only 
 two Englishmen and two Indians. The rest of 
 his party, who were left to guard the boat, 
 were attacked soon after his departure by the 
 f\mious Opechancanough, whose treacherous 
 and implacable hostility is indelibly recorded 
 in the aimals of our country. This wily chief, 
 with a number of his subjects, having discover- 
 ed from one of the English whom he had taken 
 prisoner, the route of captain Smith, pursued 
 him without delay up the river. They surprised 
 his companions asleep, and after killing them, 
 soon overtook Smith, whom after a long and 
 obstinate resistance they took prisoner. During 
 the fight he killed three of his assailants with 
 his musket, and would have made good his 
 retreat to the canoe, had not the loss of blood 
 from his wounds deprived him of strength, and 
 compelled inm to surrender to an enemy who 
 D 
 
even in the moment of victory trembled at his 
 prowess. 
 
 They carried him prisoner to Orapaxe, a 
 town situated on the upper part of Chickaho- 
 mony swamp. On their arrival at that place 
 they were surrounded by the women and chil- 
 dren, whose war songs, accompanied by frantic 
 gestures and savage ceremonies, formed a novel 
 spectacle to captain Smiih. He was afterwards 
 confined in a log house under a guard of about 
 forty Indians. The capture of Smith induced 
 the enemy to think of an attack upon James- 
 town. In order the better to succeed in this 
 attempt, they endeavoured to attach him to 
 their interests, by offering him a large tract of 
 land and a number of beautiful women if he 
 would assist them in their project. However 
 strong these motives might appear, they were 
 not sufficient, if we may credit his own account, 
 to draw him from the line of his duty, or shake 
 the firm foundation of his patriotism. He so 
 magnified the difficulties of the enterprise to 
 their view, as to induce them to relinquish the 
 project. 
 
39 
 
 They afterwards conducted Smith through 
 different towns under the dominion of Ope- 
 chancanough, and at last brought him to the 
 seat of the emperor Powhatan at Werowoco- 
 moco. This place was situated on the north 
 side of York river, within the present limits of 
 Gloucester county. When captain Smith ap- 
 peared in the presence of this venerable old 
 monarch, he found him dressed in skins, and 
 surrounded by his chiefs and counsellors. It 
 did not require a long consultation to deter- 
 mine the fate of the captive. He was sentenced 
 to die, and the emperor himself undertook the 
 office of executioner. 
 
 The head of Smith was laid on a large stone, 
 and Powhatan being provided with a club, 
 was aiming a fatal blow, when the interces- 
 sion of his daughter, the princess Pocahontas, 
 averted the stroke. She placed herself betwixt 
 the instrument of death and the prisoner, whose 
 head she clasped in her arms to shield it from 
 the vengeance of her father. Whether this in- 
 tervention of Pocahontas be imputed to gene- 
 rous sorrow, or the softer sympathies of the 
 
40 
 
 mind, I leave to others to determine. It is cer- 
 tain that it succeeded in softening the rigour 
 of the monarch, and releasing the prisoner from 
 destruction. He was set at liberty and allowed 
 to return to Jamestown, where he safely ar- 
 rived after an absence of about seven weeks. 
 
 The colony about this time was much in 
 want of provisions, but was relieved by the re- 
 turn of captain Newport from England, after a 
 tedious voyage, in which he had been compel- 
 led by stress of weather to stop at the West 
 Indies. He brought with him one hundred and 
 twenty adventurers, with a supply of provi- 
 sions and a number of presents for the empe- 
 ror Powhatan. Not long after his arrival he 
 made a visit to this monarch, for the purpose of 
 delivering his presents and bartering for such 
 articles as might be of service to the colony. 
 He also paid his respects to Opechancanough, 
 and returned to Jamestown which had been 
 consumed by fire in his absence. 
 
 The hope of finding gold on the shores, or 
 in the recesses of Virginia, was not yet en- 
 tirely abandoned, notwithstanding it had hither- 
 
41 
 
 to been rewarded only by chagrin and disap- 
 pointment. Newport, possessing the cupidity 
 of his countrymen, made an attempt to dis- 
 cover those imaginary treasures, with more 
 care, but as little success as others. He shortly 
 afterwards returned to England, accompanied 
 by the late president, Wingfield. 
 
 Captain Nelson, who had sailed from Eng- 
 land with Newport, but on account of the 
 damage sustained at sea, had remained longer 
 in the West Indies, arrived in Virginia in 
 the year 1608, with a seasonable supply of 
 provisions. 
 
 Captain Smith, anxious to make new dis- 
 coveries, undertook a voyage up the Chesa- 
 peake bay, with a design to explore the mouths 
 of the large rivers that empty into it. His at- 
 tention was particularly arrested by the great 
 width of the Potowmack, and the beauty and 
 verdure of its banks. In sailing up this river 
 he found his movements closely watched by 
 the natives. A large body of them lay in am- 
 bush on the bank, but were frightened and 
 dispersed by the firing of a few muskets. He 
 D2 
 
42 
 
 was afterwards wounded, at the mouth of the 
 Rappahannock, by a fish called the stingray, 
 and his life being thought in danger, he was 
 induced to return to Jamestown. 
 
 Ratcliffe, whose conduct was not more cor- 
 rect than that of his predecessor, became equal- 
 ly unpopular. He was dismissed from office, 
 and the vacancy filled by the appointment of 
 Capt. John Smith as his successor. This active 
 and enterprising man, however, could not be 
 confined to the dull pursuits of domestic life 
 or colonial government. A few days after his 
 appointment to the presidency, he set off on a 
 second voyage to the Chesapeake, during which 
 expedition he visited the Susquehannocks, 
 Manahocks, Nansemonds, Chesapeakes and 
 other Indian tribes, and returned in Septem- 
 ber to Jamestown, after a voyage of near three 
 thousand miles in an open boat. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 About the beginning of the year 1609, 
 captain Newport again returned to Virginia, 
 bringing witli him two females, Mrs. Forrest 
 and Anne Burras, her maid, the first Eu- 
 ropean women that had arrived in the colony. 
 
 Newport was required by his commission to 
 discover the South Sea, or one of the lost com- 
 pany of sir Walter Raleigh, or a lump of gold. 
 Without the attainment of one of which ob- 
 jects he was not allowed to return to England. 
 
 A short time after his arrival in Virginia he 
 went to see the emperor Powhatan, accompa- 
 nied by a guard of fifty men. He had brought 
 with him from England several costly presents 
 for that monarch, and among others a crown, 
 the value of which the savage chief did not 
 seem to appreciate. The condition on which 
 this ensign of royalty was to be bestowed, was 
 homage to the crown of England, a price that 
 
44 
 
 was easily paid, and which was accompanied 
 by an offer, equally valuable to the English, 
 of his old mockasins and mantle. 
 
 Newport, after an ineffectual attempt to ob- 
 tain from Powhatan a guide for the purpose of 
 exploring the country of the Manakins, pro- 
 ceeded thither without such help, accompanied 
 by about one hundred men. The hope of real- 
 izing those golden dreams which had so often 
 proved illusory, was no doubt a principal cause 
 of this expedition, which like those undertaken 
 with the same views, was attended with the 
 same success. After a fatiguing journey they 
 returned to Jamestown, without having added 
 much to their treasures. 
 
 During this year was celebrated betwixt 
 Anne Burras and John Lay don the first mar- 
 riage that is recorded in Virginia. 
 
 The scarcity of provisions that prevailed in 
 the colony induced captain Smith to undertake 
 another expedition among the Indian tribes, 
 during which he discovered the Appamattox 
 nation. He seldom f.iiled of procuring for the 
 colony corn or some other article of provision, 
 
45 
 
 of which they were often in want, and he was 
 not very scrupulous about the manner in which 
 he procured it. After his return from this ex- 
 pedition he received and accepted an invita- 
 tion from Powhatan to visit him at Werowo- 
 comoco. 
 
 During his stay at the imperial court, various 
 plans were laid by the monarch to entrap the 
 English, and by Smith to procure a supply of 
 corn for the colony. The vigilance of the 
 latter, aided by the unwavering friendship of 
 Pocahontas, preserved them from the wiles and 
 stratagems of the savage chief. This amiable 
 princess, whose sylvan virtues were untarnished 
 by the manners of courts and the false delicacy 
 of civilized life, gave frequent instances of her 
 attachment to the English. While her father 
 was meditating an attack under cover of the 
 night, she found her way to their camp and in- 
 formed them of their danger. 
 
 Captain Smith afterwards made a visit to 
 Pamunkey. During his stay at this place he was 
 attacked by several hundred Indians, under the 
 command of Opechancanough. During the eii- 
 
46 
 
 gagemeiit he seized the chief" and led him pri- 
 soner in the midst of his own warriors, who 
 instantly laid down their arms. He obtained a 
 supply of corn, as a ransom foi his royal cap- 
 tive, whom he consequently delivered up to 
 his people. A few days after this, captain 
 Smith was attacked, as he travelled through 
 the woods alone, by the king of Paspahey, a 
 man of gigantic stature. After a long contest 
 the chief was overcome by the prowess of 
 Smith, who led him prisoner to Jamestown. 
 
 By a new charter, dated May 1609, the 
 powers of the president and council were 
 transferred to a company in London, to whom 
 was intrusted the appointment of officers, civil 
 and military, for the colony. The company, 
 soon after their incorporation, appointed lord 
 De la War captain general of Virginia, sir 
 Thomas Gates lieutenant general, sir George 
 Somers admiral, and captain Newport vice ad- 
 miral. 
 
 Towards the latter end of May, Gates, Som- 
 ers, and Newport sailed for Virginia, with nine 
 ships plentifully supplied vvith provisions, and 
 containing a number ol passengers. The ad- 
 
miral's ship was unfortunately wrecked in sight 
 of Bermudas, but the rest of the fleet, ^ith rhe 
 exception of a bark that foundered at sea, got 
 safe to Virginia. Gates and Somers arrived in 
 two barks which they had constructed with 
 much trouble and difficulty in Bermudas. They 
 found the colony in the most deplorable situa- 
 tion. Captain Smith, tired of the quarrels and 
 jealousies of his countrymen, and anxious to 
 visit his native land, sailed for England, no 
 more to visit the shores of \^irginia. After his 
 departure the Indians, no longer restrained by 
 the terror of his name, broke out into open 
 hostilities. Martin and West, who had been 
 stationed, the former at Nansemond and the 
 latter at the falls of James river, with upwards 
 of a hundred men each, uerc driven from their 
 posts, and compelled to take refuge in the set- 
 tlement, after losing their boats and a number 
 of their men. Ratcliffe, with a party of about 
 thirty men, were surprised and cut off by Pow- 
 hatan. Famine, the frequent attendant on war, 
 increased the catalogue of colonial miseries, 
 and rendered the existence of the colony pre. 
 
48 
 
 carious. From five hundred, the inhabitants 
 were in a short time reduced to sixty, when 
 the arrival of Gates and Somers shed a beam 
 of joy over the gloomy prospects of Virginia. 
 
 These however, had not the means of afford- 
 ing substantial relief, and being discouraged 
 by the dismal aspect of affairs, they resolved, 
 with the miserable residue of the colony, to 
 abandon their settlements and return to Eng- 
 land. They accordingly embarked, and had 
 proceeded down the river some distance, when 
 they were met by lord De la War, and brought 
 back to Jamestown. 
 
 It was in June 1610 that lord De la War 
 arrived in Virginia. After landing his men, he 
 read to the colony his commission appointing 
 him their captain general for life. He did not 
 however remain long in a country that offered 
 rewards only to patient industry, and in a cli- 
 mate that seemed destructive to the constitu- 
 tion of Eu opeans. After building two forts, 
 and making some successful incursions against 
 the Indians, he returned in a debilitated state 
 of body to England. On his departure the 
 
49 
 
 colony was left under the direction of George 
 Percy, who had been appointed successor to 
 captain Smith in the presidency. 
 
 On the 10th of May 1611, arrived sir T. 
 Dale with three ships, and a good supply of 
 provisions for the colony. Hitherto little atten- 
 tion had been given to the improvement of 
 Jamestown, which continued in a state of in- 
 fancy without exhibiting marks of enterprise^ 
 and scarcely of ordinary industry. Captain 
 Smith had indeed turned his attention to the 
 improvement of the little metropolis of Vir- 
 ginia, but his roving disposition would not 
 allow him leisure to carry his plans into exe- 
 cution. As the improvement of Jamestown was 
 so much neglected, it can scarcely be thought 
 that the establishment of new towns would be 
 an object of attention. 
 
 The first undertaking of Dale, however, was 
 the establishment of a town, the ruins of which 
 are still visible at Tuckahoe in Henrico coun- 
 ty. It contained three streets of framed houses, 
 with a good church, besides storehouses, watch- 
 E 
 
50 
 
 houses, &c., and was defended by a palisade 
 and several forts. 
 
 Dale afterwards took the town of the Appa- 
 mattox Indians, and annexing to it as a corpo- 
 ration the plantations of Rocksdale hundred, 
 Shirley hundred, and Upper and Lower hun- 
 dred, he gave to them the name of New Ber- 
 mudas, and conferred on them some valuable 
 privileges. 
 
 Dale was succeeded in the government by 
 sir T. Gates, who arrived in Virginia in the 
 month of August 1611. During this year cap- 
 tain Argall made an expedition to the Potow- 
 mack Indians, where, by the treachery of 
 Japauzas, king of that nation, he got the prin- 
 cess Pocahontas into his hands. This rich prize 
 was carried in triumph to Jamestown, where 
 she soon after won the heart of a Mr. Rolfe, 
 whose tender addresses awoke a reciprocal at- 
 tachment. The consent of Powhatan to the 
 marriage of his daughter with an alien and an 
 enemy was not easily obtained. His difficulties 
 however were at length overcome, and the 
 
51 
 
 marriage betwixt Mr. Rolfe and the princess 
 was celebrated in presence of her two brothers. 
 
 In the year 1613 sir T. Gates returned to 
 Europe, and tlie government, on his departure, 
 devolved once more on Dale. During the ad- 
 ministration of this gentleman, an expedition 
 was set on foot against the French and Dutch 
 settlements on the bay of Fundy and the Hud- 
 son. The forts being unprepared for defence, 
 surrendered without resistance. 
 
 In the year 1616 sir T. Dale returned to 
 England, accompanied by Pocahontas and her 
 husband Rolfe, with several Indians of both 
 sexes. On the departure of Dale the govern- 
 ment devolved on captain George Yeardly. 
 Soon after his accession, he marched against 
 the Chickahomonics, whom he defeated in 
 battle, and compelled to yield at least a tem- 
 porary submission to the English. 
 
 The arrival of Pocahontas excited niuch 
 curiosity in England, while the wonders of the 
 metropolis were no less calculated to awake 
 her own. Having at length satisfied her eyes 
 with beholding the works of men in a civilized 
 
52 
 
 ^tate of societ}^, she retired with her husband 
 to Brentfoic. Here she was unexpectedly visit- 
 ed by htr uid acquaintance captain Smith. It 
 appears, however, that the attention and grati- 
 tude of this hero to his benefactress was not as 
 great as she seemed to wish, and was entitled 
 to expect. She died soon after at Gravesend, 
 while she was preparing to return to her native 
 chores. She left bthir'd her an only son, who 
 on the departure of his father for Virginia was 
 intrusted to the care of his uncle Henry Roife 
 of London. This youth afterwards became a 
 respectable citizen of Virginia, and his pos- 
 terity are not unworthy of their royal ancestry. 
 He left at his death a daughter, who was mar- 
 ried to colonel Robert Boiling, from whom are 
 descended many reputable families. Thus while 
 the government of Powhatan has crumbled into 
 dust under the arms of European invaders, the 
 imperial blood has flowed into new channels, 
 and infused its virtues into the veins of those 
 who tread on the ruins of his empire. 
 
 Powhatan died soon after he received the 
 news of the death of his beloved Pocahontas, 
 
53 
 
 The character of this monarch, while ennobled 
 by all the virtues which seem to characterize the 
 savage life, is also marked with some of its 
 vices. Courage in battle and fortitude in ad- 
 versity, mingled with treachery and cunning in 
 their domestic intercourse, form the grand 
 lineaments of the Indian character. We must 
 not however exclude from the list of their vir- 
 tues the warm fidelity of the friend, and the ten- 
 der sympathies of the parent. These are not the 
 eifects of civilization nor the production of en- 
 lightened reason alone. The sentiments of the 
 heart, like the features of the face or the mem- 
 bers of the body may be distorted by the tram- 
 mels of education as well as marred by the 
 ferocity of passion, but they are engraven too 
 deep to be erased by either. Civilization seems 
 in some instances to have refined the manners 
 of mankind at the expense of their virtues 
 and their happiness. War, in its present form, 
 in the garb of honour and regulated by the law 
 of nations, is accompanied by a destruction of 
 the human race greater than that which marks 
 the progress of savage arms. The right of ^xter* 
 E2 
 
54 
 
 mination, often claimed by nations at war, is 
 less excusable than that ferocity which hur- 
 ries the savage from his native woods against 
 the enemy of his nation. All that was noble, 
 all that was brave, and all that was good in 
 the Indian character, belonged to Powhatan. 
 His name was known and revered among the 
 American tribes from the ocean to the lakes; 
 and by the English his skill in intrigue and 
 his valour in war were not to be despised. 
 
 Sir George Yeardley having been appointed 
 governor, arrived in Virginia in the year 1619. 
 During this year six new members were added 
 to the council, and one hundred disorderly 
 persons were sent over as servants to the colo- 
 nists. These unwelcome visitors were followed 
 by a more agreeable cargo of a hundred un- 
 married females, designed to soften the labours 
 of life, by mingling with them its conjugal 
 joys. 
 
 In the following year a Dutch ship, with a 
 cargo of negroes, arrived on the coast of Vir- 
 ginia, and commenced that detestable com- 
 merce that has entailed disgrace upon our 
 national character. 
 
55 
 
 About this time ( 1 621 ) the hostilities of the 
 nati\es began to be attended by more serious 
 consequenees than the settlers of Virginia had 
 seemed to expect. Opechancanough, if not the 
 most powerful, was at least the most invete- 
 rate enemy that they had encountered since 
 their arrival. His enmity grew with the colony, 
 and he seemed to think that his own security 
 depi-nded on its entire destruction. This he 
 had planned in his own mind, and the time at 
 length arrived when the plan was to he put in 
 execution with the same skill with which it 
 had been devised. This plot was laid with the 
 deepest cunning, and matured by the most 
 profound dissimulation. The wily chief, while 
 he endeavoured to inflame the enmity of the 
 Indians against the colonists, tried no less to 
 blind the watchfulness and lull the suspicions 
 of the colonists against the Indians. While the 
 planters, secure in this specious appearance of 
 friendship, were beginning to taste the bles- 
 sings of affluence and the pleasures of society, 
 the enemy was aiming a blow no less fatal than 
 unexpected. The Indians were drawn together 
 
56 
 
 with a secrecy, and the attack made with a 
 precision and celerity scarcely to be found in 
 the movements of civilized armies. 
 
 On the morning of the 22d of May, 1622, 
 the Indians, under cover of thick woods, ap- 
 proached the plantations of the Eiiglish. In 
 order to render tiieir attack more unsuspected, 
 those of the colonists who were found strag- 
 gling from their homes were suffered to pass 
 unmolested, after receiving from Opechanca- 
 nough many marks of attention. About twelve 
 o'clock the whoop of battle was heard, and the 
 Indians in different parties, bursting from the 
 woods and thickets, carried death through the 
 defenceless settlements of the English. In less 
 than an hour about three hundred and fifty 
 men, women and children fell victims to the 
 vengeance of the remorseless savages. The 
 friendly discovery made by a converted In- 
 dian, in the service of one of the colonists, ap- 
 prizing them of their danger, saved a part of 
 the colony from ruin. The information was re- 
 ceived in time to put Jamestown and the ad- 
 joining plantations in a posture of defence. 
 
57 
 
 By this fatal stroke the number of the plan- 
 tations was reduced from about eighty to only 
 six; to wit, Paspiha, Shirley hundred, Flower 
 de hundred, Kickotan, Jamestown and South- 
 ampton. Industry and business of every kind 
 seemed to wither under the loss of colonial 
 blood, and the dreary prospect of war and de- 
 solation. The recent attack was too fatal to 
 admit of immediate retaliation, and too w^anton 
 and cruel to be easily forgotten. During the 
 succeeding year several expeditions were set 
 on foot against the enemy, and were generally 
 attended with success. The towns of the na- 
 tives were burnt and their corn destroyed, 
 while the slaughter of men, women and children 
 showed a spirit of revenge that did not well 
 correspond with a claim to civilization. 
 
 In the year 1624 the London Company, to 
 which had been confided the direction of affairs 
 in Virginia, was dissolved, and the powers vest- 
 ed in it by charter reverted to the crown. A 
 provibional government was immediately form- 
 ed, consibting of a governor and eleven coun- 
 sellors. Sir Francis Wyatt, who had been com- 
 
5a 
 
 missioned governor in the year 1621, was con- 
 tinued in office, but having obtained leave to 
 visit Ireland, sir George Yeardley was appoint- 
 ed to fill the vacancy made by his absence. 
 
 The colony had been much harassed for 
 some time by the Indians, and an expedition 
 was again undertaken and directed principally 
 against Opitchajjan, whose warriors dwelt on 
 the Pamunky. The Indians were defeated in a 
 battle and a number of them slain. The Eng. 
 lish destroyed their huts and provisions, and 
 returned, setting fire on their way to the long 
 grass and underwood that served to conceal 
 the approach of the enemy. 
 
 On the death of sir George Yeardley, in the 
 year 1627, the council elected captain F. West 
 to fill the vacancy. During the succeeding year, 
 above one thousand emigrants from Europe 
 arrived in Virginia. This great accession to 
 the population of the colony serves to show 
 the estimation in which the new settlements 
 were held in Europe, and the inducements 
 that colonial prosperity must at this time have 
 afforded to adventurers. 
 
59 
 
 About this time also arrived lord Baltimore, 
 a Roman catholick nobleman, who had pre- 
 viously settled in Newfoundland, but was at- 
 tracted to Virginia by the fame of its growing 
 prosperity. As the settlement of catholicks in 
 Virginia had been prohibited by the colonial 
 charters, the assembly thought proper to tender 
 to his lordship the oaths of allegiance and su- 
 premacy. These oaths he refused to take, pre- 
 ferring an exile from the blessings of colonial 
 •protection and favour to base subjection to the 
 unreasonable restraints imposed by govern- 
 ment. 
 
 Lord Baltimore was fortunate enough how- 
 ever to obtain a grant of a large territory on the 
 north east corner of Virginia, which was set- 
 tled in the reign of queen Mary, and in honour 
 of that princess was called Maryland. 
 
 Meanwhile the Indians continued their in- 
 cursions, and the Panumkies and Chickaho- 
 monies in particular, made frequent attacks on 
 the colony, marking their course wiih terror 
 and devastation, the constant attendants on In- 
 dian warfare. Many of the English were carried 
 
CO 
 
 off prisoners, and made the victims of remorse- 
 less cruelty or implacable revenge. 
 
 Captain F. West, in the year 1628, was suc- 
 ceeded in the government by John Pott, dur- 
 ing whose administration the colonial assem- 
 bly was twice convened, and many regulations 
 made for the defence of the colony. 
 
 Pott was succeeded, in the year 1629, by 
 sir John Hervey, a man of an arbitrary and 
 ambitious mind. His administration, however, 
 was attended with some advantages to the 
 colony and marked by some atttention to 
 public interest. The establishment of a court 
 at Jamestown, to meet twice a month, in which 
 the members of the council were to preside 
 in turn; the erection of a fort at Point Com- 
 fort, and the encouragement given to the esta- 
 blishment of salt works in Accomack, were 
 among the wise measures of this administra- 
 tion. Some parts of the governor's conduct 
 however, excited much discontent among the 
 people; and the assembly which met during 
 his administration showed the apprehensions 
 they entertained from his tyranny, by the re- 
 
61 
 
 strictions they imposed on his prerogative. 
 They forbade by law the imposition of any 
 tax without the consent of the assembly. They 
 likewise prohibited the raising of troops with- 
 out their order, unwilling to admit in the re- 
 presentative of the crown a power not claimed 
 by the crown itself. In the year 1635 Hervey 
 was, for his rapacity and tyranny, suspended 
 from his office, and captain F. West appointed 
 in his room. But as the former had been ap- 
 pointed by royal commission, the assembly 
 deemed it necessary to exhibit articles of im- 
 peachment against him, and for this purpose 
 they appointed commissioners to visit the court 
 of England, for the purpose of preferring the 
 accusation. The commissioners were received 
 with coldness by Charles, and their accusations 
 against Hervey dismissed with but little re- 
 gard. This odious man was reinstated, and 
 continued in office till the year 163iP, when he 
 was succeeded by sir Francis VVyatt. The 
 term of Wyatt's administration was short, for 
 in the year 1641, it appears that sir William 
 Berkeley became governor of the colony. 
 F 
 
62 
 
 About this time the Indians, under the com- 
 mand of Opechancanough, made an irruption 
 into the colony, marking their course, as usual, 
 with slaughter and dismay. This massacre, like 
 the former conducted by the same chief, had 
 nigh proved fatal to the colony. The loss was 
 estimated at about five hundred persons, the 
 greater part of whom were slain about the 
 heads of the rivers; particularly York and Pa- 
 munky, where Opechancanough commanded 
 in person. The militia were immediately arm- 
 ed, and the colony put in a posture of defence. 
 A body composed of every twentieth man, and 
 commanded by sir William Berkeley in per- 
 son, marched against the enemy to revenge the 
 murders so recently perpetrated on their coun- 
 trymen. 
 
 Little is now known, nor is it very impor- 
 tant to know much of the events of this war. 
 It is only necessary to observe, that hostilities 
 were brought to a close by the capture and 
 death of Opechancanough. This chief, who was 
 now grown old, but who still appeared at the 
 head of his warriors, was at last surprised by a 
 
03 
 
 party of the English, and carried in triumph to 
 Jamestown. The hoary monarch showed no 
 signs of fear while in the hands of his enemies, 
 but supported in captivity that majestic de- 
 portment and contempt for pain that distin- 
 guislied his more prosperous years. He was 
 cruelly murdered by one of his guards, whose 
 recollection of injuries sustained by the hand 
 of the chief probably prompted the bloody 
 deed. 
 
 The dissolution of the Powhatan confederacy 
 followed the death of Opechancanough, and a 
 general peace succeeded to the horrors of war. 
 
 In the year 1644 sir William Berkeley re- 
 turned to England, and during his absence of 
 about twelve months Richard Kempe officiated 
 as governor. 
 
 About this time commenced in England the 
 civil war, betwixt Charles the First and his 
 parliament. During this struggle, which proved 
 so unfortunate for the monarch, Virginia ad- 
 hered to the royal cause. 
 
 The parliament, after the establishment of 
 their power, despatched a fleet with a body of 
 
64 
 
 land forces to reduce the dolony. This arma- 
 nient arrived in the Chesapeake, in the year 
 1651, under the command of sir G. Aiskew, 
 ^ho summoned the colony to surrender to the 
 commonwealth. Virginia at this time contained 
 a population of nearly twenty thousand persons, 
 and was able to bring into the field a force 
 neither contemptible as to numbers nor valour. 
 She had also at her head a man of loyalty and 
 courage, who had not neglected to prepare for 
 any attack that might be made. Several Dutch 
 ships, then l}'ing at Jamestown, were mounted 
 with cannon and arrayed in defence of the 
 colony- 
 
 When the forces of the commonwealth ar- 
 rived at Jamestown they were surprised to find 
 their summons rejected, and preparations made 
 for a vigorous defence. Terms were however 
 proposed, for the settlement of matters without 
 appeal to arms, and agreed to by the colonists, 
 who without relinquishing any of their former 
 privileges transferred their allegiance from the 
 king to the commonwealth. In consequence of 
 this change, it became necessary to appoint a 
 
65 
 
 provisional government until the regular ap- 
 pointments could be made by the council of 
 state in England. Accordingly, in the year 
 1652, an assembly was convened at Jamestown, 
 when Richard Bennet was chosen governor, 
 and a council consisting of thirteen members 
 elected to assist in the administration. 
 
 F2 
 
CHAPTER VI, 
 
 1 HE hostility of the Indians, although sus- 
 pended by the death of Opechancanough, was 
 far from being entirely extinguished. The Rap- 
 pahannocks first began to make inroads, de- 
 stroying as they proceeded the property and 
 lives of the colonists. To repel these aggres- 
 sions an expedition was set on foot in the year 
 1(354 against that nation, and a body of troops 
 under the command of general Carter marched 
 to the Rappahannock towns. Little however is 
 known of the events that occurred in that ex- 
 pedition, although it is supposed that the In- 
 dians of this tribe were destroyed or driven 
 from their homes, as the name of Rappahan- 
 nock, in the following year, appears on the list 
 of counties. 
 
 Bennet was succeeded by Edward Digges, 
 during whose administration a body of six or 
 
seven hundred Indians, having- removed from 
 the mountains and settled about the falls of 
 James river, began to excite the attention of 
 the government. The assembly, who were at 
 this time in session, despatched a company of 
 about one hundred men under the command 
 of captain Hill, for the purpose of repelling the 
 invaders. In this attempt Hill was defeated, 
 and Totopotomoi, king of the Pamunkies, 
 whom he had engaged to assist him, with a 
 number of his warriors were killed. 
 
 The affairs of Virginia at this period afford 
 little worthy of record. The royal government 
 was re-established in the mother country, and 
 the colony in Virginia felt much joy at the re- 
 storation, notwithstanding their recent submis- 
 sion to the commonwealth. 
 
 The assembly testified their satisfaction by 
 many expressions of attachment to a throne 
 which they had lately abjured, and from which 
 they had not always received the most conci- 
 liating treatment. 
 
 During the short administration of Samuel 
 
68 
 
 Matthews nothing of importance can be found 
 to relate.* 
 
 In the year 1659 the assembly elected sir 
 William Berkeley governor of Virginia, and 
 accompanied his commission with a body of 
 instructions, and permission to return to Eng- 
 land. During his absence in England, Francis 
 Moryson, by the appointment of the council, 
 acted as governor. 
 
 The spirit of persecution which reigned so 
 long in Europe began at length to show itself 
 in America. The quakers, a sect in whose opi- 
 nions and practice it is difficult to find any 
 thing offensive to public peace or injurious to 
 social happiness, became the subjects of male- 
 volent censure and intemperate zeal. If their 
 tenets appear whimsical to some and unrea- 
 sonable to others, their innocence of life and 
 simplicity of manners might silence the cen- 
 
 * During the existence of the commonwealth, the go- 
 vernors of the colony were elected by the assembly, and 
 not appointed by the government in England, as stated 
 by Robertson and others. 
 
69 
 
 sure or soften the severity of their enemies/ 
 Persecution, however, seldom finds its victims 
 among the disturbers of the human race; the 
 Avcak and the friendless, those who are strug- 
 gling with adversity or emerging from the 
 weakness of infancy, are often the objects of 
 intolerance and fury. The quakers in Virginia 
 were excluded from the rights of citizens, and 
 exposed to the arbitrary control of the magis- 
 trate. In the assembly of the year 1663, one 
 of that sect was expelled from his seat in the 
 house, to which he had been elected b}' the 
 inhabitants of Norfolk county. 
 
 About this time a conspiracy against the 
 government of the colony was formed, and 
 when nearly ripe for execution was discover- 
 ed by the vigilance of the governor, and the 
 conspirators executed. The assembly, which 
 convened a few days after the disclosure of the 
 plot, expressed their gratitude by appointing 
 the 13th of September, the day on which the 
 conspiracy was to be carried into execution, a 
 day of thanksgiving. 
 
 Charles II. with a generosity which cost him 
 
nothing, and from wliich he gained but little 
 credit, bestowed upon his favourites large tracts 
 of land in Virginia, some of which grants in- 
 cluded the plantations of actual settlers, and 
 proved the source of much trouble and em- 
 barrassment. The assembly, after remonstrat- 
 ing against the injustice and impolicy of the 
 grants, appointed four gentlemen to go to 
 England to act as agents for the colony in this 
 affair. In the event of this mission proving in- 
 effectual, it was resolved to purchase those 
 grants from the patentees. The commissioners 
 exerted themselves for the interests of the co- 
 lony, but the rebellion, which broke out in 
 Virginia about this time, rendered their zeal 
 ^nd fidelity abortive. 
 
 During the year 1667 an expedition was set 
 on foot for exploring the western parts of Vir- 
 ginia. Captain Batte was appointed by the go- 
 vernor to the command of this party, which 
 consisted of about an equal number of whites 
 and Indians. In seven days after their depar- 
 ture from Appamattox, they arrived at the foot 
 of those loftv mountains which ignorant ere- 
 
71 
 
 dulity had hitherto pronounced impassable. 
 According to tlie accounts given by Beverley, 
 the first ridge of mountains they reached was 
 neither high nor difficult to surmount; but 
 after crossing this, their march was obstructed 
 by others that seemed to reach to the clouds. 
 In these transmontane regions they discovered 
 numerous flocks of deer, elks, buffaloes and 
 other animals feeding on the luxuriant herbage 
 which the rich valleys and lofty hills presented 
 to their view. These explorers continued their 
 course westward, until they saw, to use their 
 own language, the waters " running back- 
 wards," or taking a different course from 
 those which empty into the Atlantic ocean. 
 
 The accounts brought by Batte and his 
 company, of the beauty and fertility of this 
 country, induced sir W. Berkeley to under- 
 take an expedition in person; but his plans 
 were disconcerted by the rebellion above al- 
 luded to, the circumstances of which we are 
 now going to detail. 
 
 The discontents that had long existed in the 
 bosom of the colony, began at iengtn to wear 
 
12 
 
 a more serious aspect, and to threaten direful 
 consequences. Those who imagined their rights 
 and privileges abridged, by restrictions on com- 
 merce, united themselves with disaffected emi- 
 grants, whose misguided zeal for liberty had 
 been repressed in England only to break out 
 with greater violence in the colony. The in- 
 cursions of the Indians, and the rumors of a 
 plot for a general massacre, gave a pretext for 
 popular commotion and military preparation. 
 So great an alarm was excited by groundless 
 rumors and inflammatory reports, that the 
 people flew to arms, and prepared for defence 
 or aggression, as their fears or ambition might 
 dictate. Blending their fears of Indian hostility 
 with their domestic and civil grievances, they 
 excited the passions of the populace as well by 
 their dread of extermination as by their horror 
 of oppression. 
 
 No serious danger, however, could at this 
 time be justly apj)rehended from the incursions 
 of the natives. Their strength was broken by 
 the dissolution of the Powhatan confederacy, 
 and the population of Virginia was sufficient 
 
73 
 
 t© repel the attacks of their most powerful 
 tribes. But their proximity, and known hosti- 
 lity, aftbrded to the disaffected a pretext for 
 arming without law and without authority, 
 while a deadly enmity to the measures of go- 
 vernment was the principal cause of their 
 movements. 
 
 The insurgents chose for their leader, Na- 
 thaniel Bacon, a young man of enterprise and 
 talents, who had been educated in England. 
 The first object of this aspiring man was to in- 
 flame the minds of the populace by portraying 
 the grievances they had suffered from the in- 
 terruption of their trade, and from the arbitraiy 
 measures of their rulers. Being possessed of a 
 lively and impressive elocution he did not fail 
 to employ it on those topics which had excited 
 murmurs among the colonists. He also pub- 
 lished a paper setting forth the numerous causes 
 of discontent since the restoration, and the mo- 
 tives that induced them to take up arms on 
 this occabion. Having collected a body of about 
 six hundred men, he directed his course to- 
 wards the Indian settlements, where alone h^ 
 G 
 
74 
 
 was likely to meet with an enemy who would 
 give him a chance of acquiring the fame of 
 military prowess. Before his departure he had 
 sent a messenger to the governor, sir William 
 Berkeley, requesting a commission, that he 
 might have the sanction of government as well 
 as the voice of the populace on his side. The 
 governor, instead of granting his request, with 
 a firmness that does honour to his memor_7, 
 published a proclamation conmianding Bacon 
 and his followers to disperse, under penalty of 
 being proclaimed traitors. Not relying, how- 
 ever, on mere proclamations, the governor de- 
 termined on more eft'ective measures. Having 
 raised a force to aid the constituted authorities, 
 he marched in pursuit of the insurgents, and 
 proceeded as far as the falls of James river, 
 when he was alarmed with the news of another 
 insurrection at Jamestown. He immediately 
 hastened back to the defence of the metropo- 
 lis, and of the little remaining power in his 
 hands. On his arrival he found that a body of 
 men from the lower and middle counties, 
 headed by two men, Ingram and Walklate, 
 
75 
 
 had usurped the government, and were now 
 too strong to be resisted. In this dilemma the 
 governor, finding opposition hopeless, thought 
 proper to accomodate matters with the rebels, 
 by yielding at present to their demands. They 
 required the dissolution of the assembly, which 
 was granted, and writs issued for a new elec- 
 tion. The spirit of disaffection became at last 
 so general, that the friends to order were out- 
 voted in the succeeding election, and the go- 
 vernor had the mortification to find in the as- 
 sembly a majority opposed to his measures. 
 
 In the mean tip^e Bacon had raised his 
 popularity by a successful attack on the In- 
 dian settlements, in which he had made a 
 number of prisoners. He was returning, swell- 
 ed with the importance of his victory, when 
 he received the news of the revolution at 
 Jamestown. He immediately left the army, and 
 proceeded down the river accompanied by a 
 small detachment. There were at this time 
 several English ships lying in the river, by 
 one of which Bacon was intercepted and car- 
 ried prisoner to Jamestown. The fume of his 
 
victory, however, had given such force to the 
 current of pubhc favour, that the governor 
 found it necessary to release him, and after 
 giving his parole, he was admitted to a seat in 
 the council. The spirit of rebellion, far from 
 having subsided, acquired new strength from 
 the mildness of opposition. No art was left 
 untried to pervert the judgment and excite the 
 passions of the people. 
 
 Bacon having again put himself at the head 
 of his troops, determined to march to James- 
 town. After travelling all night he arrived early 
 next day at that place, and having drawn up 
 bis men in front of the state house, while the 
 assembly were sitting, he found it an easy 
 matter to bring them into his measures. A de- 
 putation was sent from tliat body to the go- 
 vernor, advising him to accede to the wishes 
 of the people, as the only means of restoring 
 peace and order to the colony. Finding the as- 
 sembly carried off in the torrent of disaffection 
 that had overspread the land, sir William 
 Berkeley deemed it vain any longer to oppose 
 the rage for reform that existed in the minds 
 
of the people. He therefore signed an act of 
 general indemnity, and granted a commission 
 of general to Bacon, whom he had lately pro- 
 claimed a traitor. It is certain, however, that 
 this change in sir William Berkeley's conduct 
 was owing to the influence of the assembly, 
 which was under a panic from the force of the 
 insurgents, rather than to any fear inspired by 
 the arms of the latter. He therefore dissolved 
 the assembly, and having received an invita- 
 tion from the inhabitants of Gloucester county 
 to take up his residence among them, he left 
 Jamestown, and once more raised the standard 
 of government in the colony. 
 
 Bacon had set out on a new expedition to 
 the frontiers, when he heard of the proclama- 
 tion of the governor, again declaring him a 
 traitor. He instantly changed his course, and 
 marched with all speed towards Gloucester. 
 The governor finding his force too small to 
 meet the insurgents in the field, thought pro- 
 per to retire with a few of his friends to Acco- 
 mack. Bacon now placed himself at the head 
 of civil and military affairs; and under pretence 
 G2 
 
78 
 
 that sir William Berkeley had abdicated the 
 chair of government, he called a convention, 
 for the purpose of settling a provisional go- 
 vernment until the pleasure of his majesty 
 should be made known. The convention ac- 
 cordingly met at Middle Plantation on the 
 3d of August 1676, and proceeded to de- 
 clare the government vacant by the voluntary 
 abdication of sir William Berkeley. They also 
 declared the power of the people to supply the 
 vacancy until the pleasure of the king should 
 be known. Writs were afterwards issued, sign- 
 ed by Bacon and four others, members of the 
 council, for calling an assembly. Having pro- 
 cured something like the sanction of civil au- 
 thority to his illegal usurpations, this ambitious 
 man once more set off at the head of his sol- 
 diers against the Indians. After destroying the 
 towns of Pamunkj, Chickahomony and Mat- 
 tapony, he directed his course towards the 
 falls of James river, where the enemy were 
 uniting their forces to give him battle. At a 
 place that has been since called Bloody-run 
 an engagement took place in which the In- 
 
79 
 
 dians were defeated with considerable lossr 
 Their main body was posted on an eminence, 
 and defended by a palisaded fort, through 
 which the English broke with a fury which 
 the savages could not resist. By these attacks 
 of the insurgent army the power of the In- 
 dians in this quarter was broken with but little 
 loss to the colony. 
 
 The insurgents, not contented with the tri- 
 umph so lately gained over their governor, 
 determined to surprise him at Accomack. For 
 this purpose a number of armed men, with 
 one Giles Bland at their head, privately em- 
 barked in two or three small vessels and pro- 
 ceeeded towards that place. The intention of 
 Bland had fortunately been conveyed to sir 
 William Berkeley by a captain Larimore, 
 whose vessel had been pressed into the ser- 
 vice. In consequence of this information, twen- 
 ty-six men under the guidance of Larimore 
 embarked at midnight in some boats, and by 
 a sudden and bold attack made themselves 
 masters of the whole naval force of the enemy. 
 This fortunate adventure gave to the affairs 
 
80 
 
 of sir William Berkeley a brighter aspect, 
 and put into his hands the naval empire of 
 Virginia. He was able soon after to raise a 
 force of about six hundred men, with which 
 he marched to Jamestown and reinstated him- 
 self in the government. The insurgents were 
 now on their return from the frontiers, when 
 hearing of the counter-revolution at Jamestown 
 they hastened their march and arrived before 
 that place just as the sun was setting. They im- 
 mediately proceeded to form a kind of intrench- 
 ment to defend them from the attacks of the 
 loyalists, and having completed their works 
 about midnight retired to rest. They were not 
 allowed long repose. The governor with all his 
 force, which wanted in discipline and valour 
 what it was superior in numbers, marched out 
 to attack the insurgents. He was beaten back 
 with the loss of several of his men killed in 
 the engagement. The loyalists embarked next 
 night on board their vessels, taking with them 
 whatever was most valuable; and dropping 
 down the river, came to anchor out of reach 
 of the batteries on the island. Finding that their 
 
81 
 
 enemies had evacuated the town, Bacon and his 
 followers entered in triumph, but were much 
 disappointed on discovering that their parsi- 
 monious opponents had left them nothing to 
 plunder. The enraged conquerors immediately 
 set the houses on fire, and reduced the infant 
 metropolis of Virginia to ashes. 
 
 Bacon found himself once more at the helm 
 of affairs in the colony, and thinking himself 
 placed above the power of the loyalists, he dis- 
 missed his followers, and retired to his former 
 residence at Middle Plantation. Death soon 
 after closed the career of this restless dema- 
 gogue, and left his seditious partisans without 
 a leader.* 
 
 • Note No. I. Appendix. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 1 HE death of their leader had broken the 
 strength of the insurj^ents, and the sad reverses 
 of fortune had taught the loyalists not to rely 
 on her smiles. Both parties appeared tired of 
 the contest, and disposed to close hostilities 
 by an amicable adjustment. Commissioners 
 were accordingly appointed to meet at West 
 Point, for the purpose of settling all differences 
 betwixt them. Terms equally agreeable to both, 
 consisting of a general indemnity on the part 
 of the government and submission on that of 
 the insurgents, were settled without difficulty. 
 Sir William Berkeley has been charged with 
 violating the promise of general pardon, and 
 accused of treating the rebels after his restora- 
 tion with great severity. It is stated that a num- 
 ber of the insurgents suffered death under the 
 sentence of martial law, and many were con- 
 fined in gaols by the severity of legal process. 
 
83 
 
 So great was the rigour of punishment that 
 some were preparing to leave the colony, when 
 the aspect of affairs was fortunately changed 
 by the arrival of commissioners from England, 
 with power to examine and redress the griev- 
 ances of the colony. They brought with them 
 a regiment of regulars, for the purpose of sup- 
 pressing rebellion and restoring peace and order 
 to the community. The disturbances had al- 
 ready ceased among the people, but the rigour 
 of the governor against the insurgents still con- 
 tinued. 
 
 The conduct of sir William Berkeley at this 
 lime does not well accord with his general 
 character, which had not hitherto been marked 
 by either duplicity or cruelty. His resentment 
 however was so great, that he refused to pub- 
 lish an act of general indemnity brought over 
 by the commissioners. This general pardon in- 
 cluded all who would submit to the govern- 
 ment, with the exception of Bacon alone, who 
 was now beyond the reach of human justice. 
 Finding the governor inflexible, the commis- 
 sioners proceeded to open their court for hear- 
 
84 
 
 ing and deternnning grievances. The joy thai 
 diffused itself through the colony, when the 
 nature of their commission was known, was 
 equal to the gloom that pervaded the public 
 mind before their arrival. The assembly, which 
 met about this time, concurred with the com- 
 missioners, and ev^en remonstrated against the 
 conduct of the governor. Soon afterwards sir 
 William Berkeley sailed for England, leaving 
 the affairs of government in the hands of Her- 
 bert Jeffries, as lieutenant governor, whose ap- 
 pointment is dated 11th November 1676. 
 
 The colony having been for some time free 
 from the inroads of the Indians, began at length 
 to be alarmed by the frequent incursions of 
 the Six Nations. This confederacy of savage 
 tribes was very extensive. The terror of their 
 arms was felt from the Carolinas to New Eng- 
 land, and as far as the Mississippi on the west. 
 Both French and English were anxious to 
 procure their friendship, and fearful to provoke 
 their vengeance. Fortunately, for the peace 
 of the colony, a treaty was formed with this 
 powerful coalition. The terms were settled at 
 
8^ 
 
 Middle Plantation, where deputies from the 
 several tribes met those of Virginia. By the 
 death of Jefiries in 1678, the government de- 
 volved on sir H. Chicherly, who in 1680 was 
 succeeded by lord Culpeper, This nobleman 
 brought with him several new laws, which the 
 king had thought proper to recommend to the 
 general assembly. He also published an act of 
 general indemnity for all offences committed 
 during the rebellion. The prudent administra- 
 tion of Culpeper entitled him to the friendship 
 of the colony, which could not have been bet- 
 ter expressed than by making an addition of 
 one thousand pounds to his salary. 
 
 On the departure of this nobleman for Eng- 
 land, the government once more devolved upon 
 sir H. Chicherly. The affairs of Virginia exhibit 
 nothing worthy the attention of the historian, 
 until the arrival of lord Howard, who was ap- 
 pointed in the year 1684 to administer the go- 
 vernment of the coloiiy. During his adminis- 
 tration the Indians of the Six Nations renewed 
 their depredations on the frontiers of Virginia, 
 and those tribes who continued ii* alliance with 
 H 
 
the colonists suffered equally from their incur- 
 sions. 
 
 The governor had the good fortune to s.top 
 their inroads, by a treaty which he concluded 
 with the chiefs of those warlike nations, at 
 x\lbany. On his return from this place, he sent 
 a body of militia to the head of the Chesapeake 
 bay against a nation of Indians, who had attack- 
 ed the frontiers in his absence. 
 
 During the year 1684, died Charles II., a 
 monarch neiiher famed for the wisdom of his 
 public, nor the virtues of his private life. Dur- 
 ing his exile at the court of France, he ac- 
 quired habits of licentiousness and debauchery 
 which he brought with him, and rendered 
 fashionable in his native land. He was suc- 
 ceeded in the throne of England by James the 
 Second, who, as well as his predecessor, had 
 been forced to seek in France an asylum from 
 the rage of his enemies. 
 
 At the restoration James had been declared 
 admiral of England, and in the year 1665 he 
 obtained a celebrated victory over Opdam, the 
 Dutch admiral. James however, did not carry 
 
with him to the throne those virtues which 
 had dibtinguibhed him while duke of York. 
 He was a bigoted and selfish monarch, and 
 seemed to have lost that courage which had 
 marked his early life. As soon as his appoint- 
 ment was known in Virginia, the governor 
 and council made a humble address to his 
 majesty, congratulating him on his accession 
 to the throne, and tcnderin.o: their lives and 
 fortunes in his defence whenever he should 
 demand them. The spirit of discontent how- 
 ever which begun to rise in England soon 
 found its way into her colonies. 
 
 The governor in order to check these sedi- 
 tious appearances, published a proclamation 
 forbidding all inflammatory discourses, and 
 factions tendmg to disturb the peace of go- 
 vernment. Several persons were also appre- 
 hended and brought before the council for 
 treasonable proceedings. The dread of popery, 
 so strong in the mother country, operated also 
 on the minds of the colonists. The discontents 
 on this side the ocean almost kept pace with 
 those in England. 
 
88 
 
 At length the unfortunate monarch, finding 
 the popuhu- current too strong to be resisted, 
 with a timidity that perhaps saved him from 
 the fate of his father, resolved to abdicate his 
 throne. 
 
 When this event was known in Virginia, 
 and it was formally announced that William 
 and Mary were recognised as sovereigns by 
 the British nation, a general joy was diffused 
 amongst the colonists. The council, who had 
 so lately pledged their lives and fortunes in de- 
 fence of James, naturally felt some embarrass- 
 ment on the occasion. Their hatred to the 
 catholic religion, however, which was not di- 
 minished by their security from its influence, 
 overcame every obstacle, and, a few months 
 after the accession of William and Mary was 
 made known, they were publicly proclaimed 
 in Virginia. 
 
 In the year 1689 sir Francis Nicholson was 
 appointed governor in the absence of Howard 
 who returned to England. It was during the 
 administration of Nicholson, that the establish- 
 ment of a post office was first proposed; and a 
 
89 
 
 subscription for a college was also set on foot 
 and patronized by the governor and council. 
 For this institution two thousand five hundred 
 pounds were obtained, and a charter was soon 
 after procured from the king, accompanied by 
 a donation of about two thousand pounds ster- 
 ling, due on account of quitrents, twenty thou- 
 sand acres of land, and the revenue arising 
 from the penny per pound on tobacco export- 
 ed from Virginia and Maryland to the other 
 plantations.* 
 
 In the year 1692 Nicholson was removed 
 from the chair of government, to make room 
 
 * The college by its charter was under the directiori 
 of twenty visitors, who were its legislators, and was also 
 allowed a representative in the general assembly. It had 
 a professorship of the Latin and Greek languages, one 
 of mathematics, one of moral philosophy, and two of 
 divinity. After the revolution the language and divinity 
 professorships were changed for those of law and medi- 
 cine. The late bishop Madison proflered his aid in pro- 
 curing information relative to the literature and lite- 
 rary institutions of Virginia, but his death deprived me 
 of the pleasure of receiving his communications 
 H2 
 
90 
 
 for sir Edmund Andros, a flatterer and favour* 
 ite of kings, but an oppressor of the people. 
 This man had been formerly governor of New 
 York. He afterwards received from king James 
 a commission for the government of New Eng- 
 land, where he imitated the conduct of his 
 royal master in bigotry and oppression. At 
 length the indignation of the people could no 
 longer be repressed, and they determined on 
 resistance. On a report that a massacre was in- 
 tended by the governor's guards, the people 
 of Boston took up arms, and surrounding the 
 palace, seized the governor and about fifty of 
 his coadjutors, and placed them in confine- 
 ment. Sir Edmund was carried to England for 
 trial, but instead of meeting with the punish- 
 ments which his crimes had deserved, he was 
 honoured with the appointment of governor of 
 Virginia. 
 
 On his arrival in Virginia writs were issued 
 for a new election of burgesses, and several 
 proclamations were published relative to the 
 general interests of the colony. From the cha- 
 racter given by Beverley of sir Edmund An- 
 
91 
 
 dros, vvc must conclude that he had been much 
 reformed by his transportation to Enghind. He 
 is represented by this historian as a Hberal and 
 enlightened man, of a mild deportment, and 
 a great encourager of industry and manuflic- 
 tures.* He was succeeded by sir F. Nicholson, 
 who was again appointed to the government of 
 Virginia, and continued in office until the year 
 1705, when he was recalled and Edward Nott 
 appointed in his room. There is nothing worthy 
 of notice during the administration of Nott, or 
 that of his successor Edmund Jennings. 
 
 The administration of Alexander Spotswood, 
 which commenced in the year 1710, opens a 
 wider and more interesting prospect to the his- 
 torian. This gentleman, with an enlightened 
 and enterprising mind, united in himself the 
 accomplishments of the statesman and the sol- 
 dier. Soon after his appointment he determined 
 on exploring the country west of that great 
 range of mountains which seemed to prescribe 
 limits to his predecessors. This imdertaking 
 
 * Note II. Appendix, 
 
was accomplished, and the passage of x\\t 
 mountains effected without much difficulty. 
 The splendor of the achievement far over- 
 balanced the dangers of its execution. 
 
 About this time the encroachments of the 
 French, on the north western waters, induced 
 the governor to propose to the British ministry 
 the establishment of a company, to settle such 
 lands on the Ohio as they might be able to 
 procure from the natives. He likewise proposed 
 the establishment of a chain of forts from the 
 Lakes to the Mississippi, by which the en- 
 croachments of the French might be restrained, 
 and the fur trade might be secured to the Eng- 
 lish. The ministry did not however enter into 
 his views, and it was not till after the treaty of 
 Aix la Chapelle that his plans were revived 
 and adopted by the British government. 
 
 Spotswood was equally unsuccessful in ano- 
 ther application which he made to the govern- 
 ment, requiring that the men employed under 
 him in exploring the country should be paid 
 for their services. However reasonable might 
 be his request, it seemed to make him more 
 
93 
 
 unpopular with the minibtry, and was soon 
 after followed by his dismission from office. 
 
 The enterprising talents and inflexible vir- 
 tues of governor Spotswood might have been 
 highly useful to the interests of Britain in Ame- 
 rica, at a time when her ancient European 
 riv\;l, France, was endeavouring to wrest from 
 her hands the trade and riches of the new world. 
 The former, with her possessions on the sea 
 coast and country adjacent, beheld with a jea- 
 lous eye the progress of her enemy on the St. 
 Lawrence and the Lakes. The latter claimed 
 the country west of the Alleghany, on the 
 ground of her being the first who explored 
 it. The English claims, founded on the char- 
 ters of their monarchs, were much more exten- 
 sive, and seemed to be as boundless as their 
 ambition itself. They thought themselves enti- 
 tled to the whole country, as far as the South 
 Sea; and although they were compelled to recede 
 from the extravagance of this claim, yet the 
 encroachments of both France and Spain seem- 
 ed to indicate the necessity of strong and ef- 
 fective resistance. The antipathy which pre- 
 
94 
 
 vailed betwixt those nations in Europe, seemed 
 to extend its influence to their remotest colo- 
 nies; and peace, so seldom enjoyed at home, 
 was scarcely to be expected to continue on 
 this side the ocean. Accordingly, in the year 
 1739, hostilities commenced against Spain, and 
 soon after against France. In the commence- 
 ment of this war the late governor Spotswood 
 was again called into public service, and ho- 
 noured with the command of the colonial 
 troops. But he did not live to enjoy the re- 
 turning smiles of royal fltvour. 
 
 Spotswood had been succeeded in the go- 
 vernment by sir Hugh Drysdale, who arrived 
 in Virginia in the year 1723, and during whose 
 administration nothing occurred worthy of re- 
 cord. 
 
 Drysdale was succeeded in office by Gooch, 
 soon after whose accession an expedition was 
 set on foot against Carthagena. In this unsuc- 
 cessful attempt Gooch, who had been formerly 
 an officer in the British service, commanded 
 the colonial troops. 
 
 About this time (1742) considerable alarm 
 
95 
 
 was excited in Virginia, by the news of a skir- 
 mish betwixt a party of Shawanese and a de- 
 tachment of militia. In this engagement the 
 \ irginians lost a captain M'Dowell, and seve- 
 ral men. The governor, with the advice of the 
 council, adopted such measures as might pre- 
 vent aggression from the same quarter. A sup- 
 ply of ammunition was sent to the frontiers, 
 and commissioners appointed to visit the In- 
 dian tribes for the purpose of promoting peace. 
 In the \^ear 1743 the college of Virginia lost 
 her first president, the Rev. James Blair. This 
 learned and eminent divine was bom and edu- 
 cated in Scotland, but on account of the un- 
 settled state of religion in that kingdom, he 
 passed over to England near the end of the 
 reign of Charles the Second. He sailed for 
 Virginia as a missionary, in the year 1685, 
 and soon after his arrival was appointed to the 
 highest honours the church could offer in the 
 colony. The establishment of a college in Wil- 
 liamsburg, was in part owing to his exertions, 
 and its subsequent prosperity was much in- 
 debted to his zeal in its behalf. In the year 
 
96 
 
 1691 he sailed for England, to procure a char- 
 ter and the pecuniary aid of government, and 
 his mission was attended with the desired suc- 
 cess. Blair was named in the charter as the 
 first president, in which office he continued 
 fifty-one years. He was also ecclesiastical com- 
 missary and member of the council about the 
 same number of years. 
 
 The vacancy in the council occasioned by 
 the death of Mr. Blair, was filled by the ap- 
 pointment of William Fairfax, son of the pro- 
 prietor of the northern neck. 
 
 By the death of colonel William Byrd, the 
 colony was deprived of another valuable citizen, 
 as well as member of the council. His exten- 
 sive education and ample fortune threv*^ a lustre 
 round the virtues of his private life. His death 
 was a serious loss to Virginia. 
 
 In the year 1746 the public buildings in 
 Williamsburg were destroyed by fire, sup- 
 posed to be the work of some incendiary. In 
 consequence of the destruction of the capitol, 
 the next assembly, agreeably to summons, met 
 in the college. It may be proper to notice here, 
 
9y 
 
 ■A proctaraaticm of the governor, forbidding the 
 meetings of Moravians, Newlights and Me- 
 thodists, under severe penalties. Enjoying, as 
 we do now, the blessings of a free government, 
 and feeling the influence of principles, the off- 
 spring of the revolution, we look back with 
 astonishment, almost with incredulity, on the 
 bigotry and intolerance which so lately influ- 
 enced the councils of Virginia.* 
 
 * There is one sect, the Quakers,to\vhom the blessings 
 of liberty seem to be mingled with the alloy of intole- 
 rance and persecution. The free exercise of their reli- 
 gion is restrained by civil policy, or prohibited by legal 
 sanctions. They arc required to conform to the institu- 
 tions of man by violating the commandments of God. 
 The arguments in favour of this rigid policy go to the 
 destruction of religious liberty, by making Uie human 
 legislator the judge of our religion, and the arbiter of 
 our conscience. Its advocates say, that in the present 
 state of the world, means of defence against the aggres- 
 sion of enemies arc as necessary and as just as are the 
 means to prevent disease or hunger, or any other evift 
 that might obstruct the enjoyment of life; and if it be 
 just that government resist and repel the attacks oT 
 I 
 
98 
 
 About this time a bill was brought forward, 
 and passed in the house of burgesses, for the 
 removal of the seat of government to some 
 more central part of the colony. The governor 
 and council, some of whom possessed property 
 in Williamsburg, refused their assent to a mea- 
 sure which threatened to injure their private 
 interests. The matter was again brought for- 
 
 enemies, it is equally just that all who enjoy the bene- 
 fits of this protection should contribute to its support. 
 
 But is it not a painful reflection to a republican, enjoy- 
 ing the blessings of liberty, to think that they are so un- 
 equally diffused; and that so large a portion of our popu- 
 lation should be exposed to the penalties of the law, 
 because they refuse to dip their steel in human blood. 
 It will not much relieve our feelings to recollect that 
 this infringement of liberty of conscience falls on a sect 
 whose innocence almost precludes the necessity of law, 
 and whose meekness might inspire compassion. 
 
 The Abbe Raynal, speaking of the Quakers, says, 
 " La fiere simplicite de ces nouveaux enthousiastes qui 
 benissoient le ciel et les hommes au milieu des tour- 
 mens et de I'ignominie, inspira de la veneration pour 
 leurs personnes, fit aimer leurs sentimens et multipli?. 
 leurs proselytes." 
 
99 
 
 ward in the year 1748, but met with no better 
 success than before. During this year the 
 towns of Petersburg and Blandford were esta- 
 blished by law^ and acts of assembly passed 
 establishing towns in Augusta, King William 
 and Henrico counties. 
 
 Among other acts of this session, the assem- 
 bly ordered a general revisal of the colonial 
 laws, and for this purpose appointed a com- 
 mittee consisting of the following persons, 
 Peyton Randolph, Philip Ludwell, Beverly 
 Whiting, Carter Burwell and Benjamin Wal- 
 ler. 
 
 Gooch, who had been governor of Virginia 
 for upwards of twenty years, at length resolved 
 on visiting his native country. Before his de- 
 parture he was waited upon by the president 
 and council with an address of thanks for his 
 able and upright administration. His correct 
 and uniform conduct had indeed procured him 
 the esteem of the Virginians generally, and his 
 departure was sincerely regretted. 
 
 The administration now devolved upon Ro- 
 
100 
 
 JDinsoti, as president of the council, ahd at his 
 death, which happened soon after, Thomas 
 Lee, who had succeeded him in the presi- 
 dency, was advanced to the chair of govern- 
 ment. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Hitherto the genius of the colonists had 
 been repressed by the labours they had to un- 
 dergo, and the difficulties they had to sur- 
 mount. The western horizon at length began 
 to brighten, and arts and manufactures, litera- 
 ture and commerce, seemed to excite attention, 
 and gradually to extend their influence in Virgi- 
 nia. New characters also appeared on the stage 
 of action, some of whom were to act a distin* 
 guished part in the military and civil affairs of 
 the colony. This epoch commences with the 
 administration of governor Dinwiddic, who ar- 
 rived in Virginia in the year 1752. 
 
 Peace, however, was not yet secured to the 
 colony, but the hostility of her neighbours 
 served to call into action the latent powers she 
 possessed. The encroachments of the French 
 in the north west, and particularly the esta- 
 blishment of a fort at Au Beuf, first brought 
 12 
 
102 
 
 into public notice George Washington, whoSis 
 name has so distinguished a place in the annals 
 of his country. He was scarcely in his nine- 
 teenth year, when he was despatched by go- 
 vernor Dinwiddle, with a message to the 
 French commandant on the Ohio, He accom- 
 plished his journey through an unknown wil- 
 derness, and executed with faithfulness the 
 trust committed to his hands. 
 
 The French officer transmitted the gover- 
 nor's letter to the commanding officer in Cana- 
 da, and returned for answer that he would 
 wait the orders of his superior. This answer 
 was probably viewed in the light of a denial 
 by the government of Virginia, as she began 
 to make provision for expelling the French by 
 force. For this purpose a regiment of three 
 hundred men was raised, and placed under the 
 command of colonel Fry, who was assisted by 
 George Washington as lieutenant colonel. The 
 French expecting an attack from this quarter, 
 did not neglect the proper means of defence. 
 They endeavoured to secure the friendship of 
 the Indians, as well as to exasperate them 
 
103 
 
 against the English. They also strengthened 
 their posts by reinforcements from Canada, 
 and proceeded to destroy the EngUsh forts 
 and trading houses before they could be re- 
 Heved by the colonial troops. In the fort at 
 Logstown they found stores and furs to the 
 value of twenty thousand pounds. The fort 
 which had been erected at the junction of 
 the Ohio and Monongahela also fell into their 
 hands. 
 
 Before the troops were in readiness to march, 
 Washington was ordered to proceed with two 
 companies as far as the Great Meadows. On 
 his march he received information, from some 
 friendly Indians, that the French were at that 
 moment engaged in erecting a fort at the con- 
 fluence of the Alleghany and Monongahela 
 rivers, and that a detachment was then on the 
 way from that place to the Great Meadows. 
 AVashington, taking the Indians as guides, 
 marched all night without halting, for the pur- 
 pose of intercepting the party. He succeeded 
 to the utmost of his wishes. Just at dawn of 
 day they descried the French erecting their 
 
104. 
 
 tents in a retired valley. A detachment under 
 captain Waggoner was immediately ordered 
 to make a circuit and appear on the opposite 
 side. Both divisions fired on the enemy at 
 the same time. Jumonville, the commander of 
 the party, was killed, and the detachment, with 
 the exception of one man who escaped, were 
 made prisoners. 
 
 At length the main body of the troops ar- 
 rived at the Great Meadows, and being rein- 
 forced by two companies of regulars from 
 South Carolina and New York, they proceed- 
 ed towards fort Du Quesne under the direc- 
 tion of Washington, whose detachment had 
 formed a junction with the main body, and 
 who had succeeded to the command, in con- 
 sequence of the death of colonel Fry. 
 
 Before their departure from the Great Mea- 
 dows, they erected a stockade for the security 
 of their horses and baggage. They had ad- 
 vanced only to the foot of Laurel Hill, about 
 fourteen miles from the stockade, when they 
 were informed by a party of Indians of the ar- 
 rival of a reinforcement at fort Du Quesne. A 
 
105 
 
 dislodgement of the French was therefore con- 
 sidered as impracticable, and the party were 
 compelled to return to the stockade, since 
 known by the name of Fort Necessity. They 
 had scarcely put that place in a posture of de- 
 fence, when they were attacked by a body Of 
 about fifteen hundred French and Indians, com- 
 manded by Monsieur De Villiers. The attack, 
 which began about ten o'clock in the morning, 
 continued without intermission till night. It 
 was on this occasion, that the illustrious leader 
 of the American armies first showed that cool 
 and determined courage which has marked his 
 military career. His soldiers seemed anxious to 
 imitate his example, and so bold a resistance 
 was made, that the French commandant thought 
 proper to offer terms of capitulation. A flag of 
 truce was sent to Washington, and terms pro- 
 posed which, however, were deemed dishon- 
 ourable, and were without hesitation reject- 
 ed. The firmness of Washington induced the 
 French officer to recede from the rigour of his 
 terms, which were soon after returned to Wash- 
 ington, so modified as to obtain his acceptance. 
 
106 
 
 The provincial troops were allowed to march oft' 
 with their baggage unmolested. Their loss on 
 this occasion has been stated at about a hundred 
 killed and wounded. The loss of the enemy was 
 supposed to be much greater. The troops were 
 harassed in their retreat by parties of Indians, 
 as well as oppressed by hunger and fatigue. 
 At length they arrived at Winchester, having 
 surmounted incredible difficulties, and under- 
 gone unspeakable hardships. Their services 
 were rewarded by the house of burgesses with 
 a vote of thanks, accompanied by what was 
 much more necessary, a donation for the relief 
 of their immediate wants. 
 
 The expedition of Washington, although 
 not attended with success, served as a guide 
 to future attempts; and while it showed the 
 difficulty of the enterprise, pointed out the 
 man most fit to achieve it. 
 
 We will conclude this chapter with a sketch 
 of the life of this illustrious man, who needs 
 no higher eulogium than a detail of his splen- 
 did actions. 
 
107 
 
 Ge r c e Wa shington was born at Bridges 
 creek, in the county of Westmoreland, Virgi- 
 pia, February 22d, 1732. At the age of ten 
 years he lost his father, Augustine Washing-- 
 ton, whose estate, according to the English 
 law, descended to his eldest son, Laurence 
 Washington. At the age of fifteen, George 
 was on the point of entering the British navy 
 as a midshipman. The entreaties of an affec- 
 tionate mother prevailed on him to abandon 
 the idea. His talents were reserved for a fairer 
 field of glory. Although he early showed a dis- 
 position for action rather than speculation, he 
 was not inattentive to the improvement of his 
 mind. He received from a private instructor 
 the general principles of English literature, but 
 the boundaries of his education were much 
 enlarged by his own genius and industry. 
 
 Those sciences that are purely speculative 
 occupied but little of his attention, which was 
 more attracted by objects of utility than amuse- 
 ment. Much of his time was devoted to the 
 study of the mathematics, and his knowledge 
 of the art of surveying contributed to the in- 
 
108 
 
 crease of his fortune. In the exercise of his 
 professional duties, as a surveyor, he became 
 acquainted with the value of lands, and gained 
 such information resi^ecting the country which 
 he traversed, as enabled him to make impor- 
 tant additions to his landed property. 
 
 The estimation in which he was held in 
 Virginia, at the early age of nineteen, is shown 
 by his being appointed an adjutant general at 
 that age, with the rank of major. But the du- 
 ties of this office lasted only a short time. 
 
 His expedition to the Ohio, which followed 
 soon after, has already been noticed. He com- 
 menced this arduous expedition on the 31st of 
 October 1753, the day on which he received 
 his commission. Having obtained guides on 
 the frontiers to conduct him through the wil- 
 derness, he crossed the Alleghany mountains, 
 arid directed his march for the Monongahela. 
 On his arrival at a fort on French creek, he 
 found the commanding officer, to whom a letter 
 of Dinwiddie was addressed. During his re- 
 turn he encountered difficulties, which to a less 
 enterprising mind would have been deemed 
 
109 
 
 insurmountable. Owing to the depth of the 
 snow his horses and attendants were left at the 
 mouth of French creek, from whence he set 
 out on foot accompanied by his guide alone. 
 On their way they were fired at by an Indian, 
 whom they took prisoner but soon after dis- 
 missed. On reaching the Monongahela, they 
 were employed nearly a whole day in making 
 a raft to effect their passage. The masses of ice 
 which were then descending the river drove 
 with such violence as to dislodge the passen- 
 gers. Clinging to the logs of their shattered 
 raft, they were enabled to reach an island, where 
 they passed the night. The cold was so intense, 
 that the hands and feet of his guide were fro- 
 zen. The next morning they crossed to the 
 main land on the ice. 
 
 Washington soon after visited this country 
 at the head of a regiment, to the command of 
 which, as already observed, he had succeeded 
 on the death of colonel Fry. The skill and for- 
 titude displayed in this expedition, particularly 
 in the action at the Great Meadows, reflected 
 much honour on his character. In that en§age- 
 K 
 
110 
 
 ment he compelled an enemy of nearly four 
 times his own number, to allow him the privi- 
 lege of marching oft', with all his arms and bag- 
 gage, unmolested. 
 
 In the year 1755, Washington accompanied 
 general Braddock to that fatal field where Eu- 
 ropean discipline and valour were overcome 
 by savage cunning and ferocity. In the battle 
 of the Monongahela he showed a fearless front, 
 although he was soon the only aid that remain- 
 ed on the ground. The particulars of this bat- 
 tle shall be related hereafter. At present we 
 will confine our details to the immediate oc- 
 currences of Washington's life, without em- 
 bracing the important events of national his- 
 tory. 
 
 After his return from the Monongahela, he 
 was appointed to the command of a regiment 
 designed for the defence of the frontiers. His 
 exertions to protect the back settlements were 
 often fruitless. The impossibility of defending 
 so extensive a frontier against so deceitful an 
 enemy, suggested the propriety of offensive 
 measures. Tlie plan of carrying war into the 
 
IH 
 
 enemy's country, was at length adopted. In the 
 expedition against fort Du Quesne, Washing- 
 ton acquired much honour by his patience and 
 courage. His heahh was considerably impaired 
 by the fatigues of the campaign. On his return 
 he resigned his command of the provincial 
 troops. Soon after his resignation he was mar- 
 ried to the widow of Mr. Custis, a young lady 
 possessed of great personal attractions and a 
 handsome estate. In addition to Mount Ver- 
 non, which he inherited by the death of his 
 brother, he now possessed a very ample for- 
 tune. No farmer was ever more careful or sys- 
 tematic in the cultivation and management of 
 a farm, and few have been more successful. 
 In one year his farms have produced seven 
 thousand bushels of wheat, and ten thousand 
 of corn. He was, during his retirement, elect- 
 ed a member of the state legislature, where 
 his attachment to isis country was shown by 
 a steady opposition to every infringement of 
 her rights. 
 
 In the year 1774 he became a member of 
 the first congress, and he was honoured with 
 
112 
 
 a place on all the committees of defensive ar- 
 ratigements. In the year 1775 he was elect- 
 ed commander in chief of the army of the 
 United States. He accepted this important 
 office with diffidence, and fulfilled its duties 
 with dignity and fortitude. In that long and 
 arduous contest, which rent from the British 
 empire her most flourishing provinces, Wash- 
 ington was the firmest support of the Ameri- 
 can cause. When the storm was at the highest, 
 and hope began to forsake his friends, he stood 
 at the helm, unmoved by the roaring of the 
 tempest. The gloomy aspect of afifairs served 
 but to give new vigour to a mind whose re- 
 sources were not easily exhausted. All his 
 plans \^tre formed with coolness and executed 
 with undaunted resolution. In tracing his mili- 
 tary career, through fields of blood or martial 
 encampments, we find the same inflexible firm- 
 ness, and the same unshaken virtue. Equally 
 free from the obsequiousness of a courtier and 
 the ferocity of a conqueror, he preserved the 
 affisctions of his soldiers without losing the 
 confidence of his rulers. When lord Howe, on 
 
113 
 
 his arrival, addressed a letter to " George 
 Washington, Esquire," on th-e settlement of 
 their differences, Washington refused to re- 
 ceive it, as it was not addressed to him in his 
 military capacity, and showed a disposition to 
 refuse him the honours his country had be- 
 stowed upon him. His conduct was applauded 
 by the government, whose dignity had been 
 insulted in the person of their commander in 
 chief. 
 
 While other generals have shone only in the 
 arms of victory, W^ashington never appeared 
 more worthy of admiration than when flying 
 before a proud and exulting enemy. After the 
 loss of Forts Washington and Lee, when he 
 led his shattered and feeble army into New Jer- 
 sey before the advancing standard of England, 
 his troops resembled more an offering for the 
 altar of liberty, than the legion to whom were 
 intrusted the sacred interests of their country. 
 Such was their love for their commander, that 
 all their hardships, their wants and distresses, 
 could not sever their union nor diminish their 
 K2 
 
114 
 
 attachment. It seemed difficult to tell, whether 
 Washington or liberty was the dearest name. 
 
 After seeing the independence of his coun- 
 try established, the heroic chief resigned to 
 congress the high office entrusted to his hands; 
 and after an affectionate parting from his com- 
 panions in arms, he retired to the peaceful 
 walks of private life. He was not, however, al- 
 lowed long repose. He became, in the yeat 
 1787, a member of the convention which form- 
 ed our constitution, and of that august body 
 he was elected president. In the year 1789 he 
 was unanimously elected the first President of 
 the United States. After serving his country 
 in that exalted station during eight years, or 
 two terms of office, he resolved on retiring 
 from public life. His valedictory address was 
 published in September 1796, and on the 14th 
 December 1799 he closed a life of nearly sixty- 
 eight yeacis. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 A FEW weeks after the return of the troops 
 from the Great Meadows, some companies 
 that had been expected from the adjacent co- 
 lonics of Maryland and North Carolina having 
 arrived, governor Dinwiddie, without giving 
 the regiment time to recover from their shat- 
 tered condition, ordered them to repass the 
 mountains for the purpose of dispossessing the 
 French. As the assembly, however, rose with- 
 out providing the necessary means for carrying 
 on the war, it was abandoned for the present, 
 and the Virginia regiment was reduced to in- 
 dependent companies. 
 
 In the year 1754 orders were received for 
 settling the rank of officers in the colonies, and 
 directing that those commissioned by the king 
 should take rank of those commissioned by the 
 colonial governors. In consequence of this in- 
 vidious distinction, colonel Washington retired 
 
116 
 
 in disgust from public service. In the following 
 year, however (1755), general Braddock, who 
 had lately arrived from Ireland with two regi- 
 ments, and had taken the command of the forces 
 in Virginia, prevailed upon him to accompany 
 the army in the capacity of aid-de-camp. 
 
 The army set off in the month of April, and 
 proceeded to Will's Creek, afterwards called 
 Fort Cumberland, where they were detained 
 waiting for their baggage until the month of 
 June. Owing to the badness of the roads, the 
 transportation of their baggage presented one 
 of the greatest difficulties they had to encoun- 
 ter. Washington, apprized of this circumstance, 
 had recommended the use of pack horses in- 
 stead of wagons, and his advice was, after 
 much delay, in part adopted. 
 
 Soon after the army left Fort Cumberland, 
 colonel Washington was attacked with a vio- 
 lent fever, from which he did not recover until 
 his arrival at the river Monongahela. It was 
 determined at a council, held at the Little 
 Meadows, that a body of twelve hundred men, 
 under the command of Braddock in person. 
 
117 
 
 should adMince without delay agahist Fort Du 
 Quesne, and that the remainder of the troops, 
 with the heavy baggage, should be left under 
 the command of colonel Dunbar and major 
 Chapman. Even when freed from the most 
 cumbrous part of their baggage, the progress 
 of the army, owing to the nature of the coun- 
 try through which they passed, was extremely 
 slow. They were four days marching from the 
 Little Meadows to the Great Crossings of 
 Yohoghany, a distance of only about nineteen 
 miles. On the 9th of July 1755, the army 
 reached the Monongahela, on the opposite 
 side of which, at the distance of six miles, 
 stood Fort Du Quesne, the place of destina- 
 tion. Unfortunately for the fate of this expedi- 
 tion, the commander felt too secure in his own 
 strength and in the discipline of British regu- 
 lars. He was equally unacquainted with the 
 country, and with the proper mode of fighting 
 its savage inhabitants. Although sufiiciently 
 brave himself, his courage was likely to be of 
 little avail against the enemy with whom he 
 had to contend. 
 
.118 
 
 £arly in the morning preparations were 
 made for crossing the Monongahela. A select 
 body of three hundred infantry, under the 
 command of colonel Gage, was ordered to 
 cross the river, as an advance guard, for the 
 purpose of covering the passage of the main 
 body. This detachment was followed by ano- 
 ther of two hundred, designed to act as a re- 
 serve to the other. The m.aiii body followed 
 the detachments, maintaining the order of bat- 
 tle. They had advanced but a short distance 
 from the bank of the river, when they were 
 alarmed by a brisk fire, apparently in front and 
 flank of the advance parties. These imme- 
 diately fell back, and communicated to the 
 main body a panic, from which they could not 
 be recovered. The firing soon became general, 
 and the confusion amongst the British regulars 
 presented to the enemy the prospect of an easy 
 victory. 
 
 The French had drawn themselves up in the 
 form of a half circle, in the skirt of a thick 
 wood, which served as a cover for their centre, 
 while the wings were supported by parties of 
 
DO 
 
 Indians, who concealing themselves in the long 
 grass, were no less skilful in securing them- 
 selves, than dextrous in annoying their enemies. 
 
 Braddock had drawn up his men in two 
 lines, with the artillery in the centre; thus pre- 
 senting a solid front to the fire of the enemy. 
 He appeared in the front of his men, animating 
 them by his example and endeavouring in vain 
 to restore them to order. After having five 
 horses shot under him, and seen two of his 
 aids fall by his side, he at length received a 
 shot and fell from his horse. This proved the 
 signal for a general rout among the regulars, 
 who were preserved from total destruction by 
 the provincial troops. These dispersing them- 
 selves in the woods, by a successful fire gave 
 a check to the pursuers, and served as a cover 
 to the flying regiment. The general, by the 
 exertions of colonel Washington and captain 
 Stewart, of his guards, was brought off the 
 ground in a cart. The horses and baggage fell 
 into the hands of the enemy. 
 
 The loss of the provinciah army on this oc- 
 casion, amounted to about seven hundred killed 
 
120 
 
 and wounded, among whom were upwards of 
 sixty officers. Much has been said in praise of 
 the Virginia troops in this engagement, and 
 if we estimate their courage by the loss they 
 sustained, it was indeed very great. Out of 
 three companies that were in the engagement^ 
 scarcely thirty escaped alive. Captain Peronny 
 and all his officers were killed, and all of the 
 company of captain Poulson, except one, shared 
 the same fate. 
 
 It would be superfluous to notice the bravery 
 of Washington on this occasion. His fame is 
 already fixed on a base that cannot be shaken 
 by the revolutions of time. We shall merely 
 observe, that in all the subsequent engage- 
 ments in which he shone with so much splen- 
 dour at the head of his army, he in no instance 
 showed more cool and determined bravery than 
 in the battle of the Monongahela. He had three 
 horses shot under him, and several bullet holes 
 were made through his clothes; but Provi- 
 dence designed him for more important fields 
 and more successful warfare. 
 
 On the arrival of the army at Dunbar's 
 
121 
 
 Camp, it was deemed expedient to destroy all 
 the stores, except what might be wanted for 
 immediate use. Soon after their arrival at this 
 place, the brave commander of the expedition 
 died of his wounds. He was by no means de- 
 ficient in military skill or personal courage; 
 but he was not apprized of the manner of the 
 attack, nor acquainted with the proper mode 
 of repelling it. British courage and discipline 
 were of little avail in the American woods, and 
 contending with a foe whose success depended 
 more on ambush and surprise than on valour 
 and discipline. 
 
 After the defeat of general Braddock the 
 command of the army devolved on colonel 
 Dunbar, who considering any farther offensive 
 measures as impracticable at present, marched 
 his troops to Philadelphia. 
 
 The retreat of the army left the whole fron- 
 tier of Virginia exposed to the ravages of the 
 victorious enemy, who now extended their in- 
 cursions even over the Blue Ridge, and marked 
 with blood and terror their hostile course. 
 
 This distressing state of affairs induced the 
 L 
 
122 
 
 governor to call a meeting of the assembly, to 
 provide for the security of the colony. On the 
 meeting of that body, it was determined to 
 raise a regiment of sixteen companies, the 
 command of which, and all the forces in 
 Virginia, was given to colonel Washington. 
 Meanwhile the French and Indians continued 
 their depredations, and news frequently ar- 
 rived of irruptions along the frontiers. The 
 Western inhabitants, instead of uniting and re» 
 pelling the assailants, abandoned their dwel- 
 lings, their flocks and their farms to the mercy 
 of the rude invader. 
 
 Having made arrangements for the recruit- 
 ing service, Washington set out in person to. 
 visit the western frontier posts. From thence 
 he returned to Williamsburg for the purpose 
 of settling the plan of future operations: on his 
 way he was overtaken by an express, inform- 
 ing him that a body of French and Indians had 
 broken into the back settlements, and were 
 murdering the inhabitants and burning their 
 houses. Washington hastened back to Win- 
 chester, and endeavoured to raise a body of 
 
123 
 
 militia to inarch against the enemy; but his 
 exertions were frustrated by the general terror 
 and confusion that prevailed among the people. 
 Before any adequate force could be raised, the 
 enemy had allayed their fury with blood, and 
 had re-crossed the pathless mountains with 
 their prisoners and their plunder. Washington 
 saw the necessity of training a body of militia 
 for the defence of the colony, but his advice 
 was almost always rejected, or adopted too 
 late. 
 
 In the year 1756 lord Loudon arrived in the 
 colony, vested with the command of the Bri- 
 tish forces in Virginia. A short address was 
 presented to him by the regiment, compli- 
 menting him on his arrival, and a statement qf 
 the military afiairs of the colony, drawn up by 
 Washington, was laid before him. The assem- 
 bly, which had been recently dissolved, was 
 again summoned to meet, principally for the 
 purpose of devising measures of defence against 
 ihe repeated attacks of the Indians. A day of 
 fust ng and prayer was also appointed by pro- 
 clamation. Meantime general Montcalm, com- 
 
124 
 
 mander of the French forces in America, did 
 not remain idle during the delays and consul- 
 tations of the Virginia assembly. Before the 
 t-roops were ready to march from Virginia, that 
 ©fficer had taken the posts of Oswego and On- 
 tario without opposition. His Indian allies 
 also continued their attacks upon the back set- 
 tlements with their usual ferocity and success. 
 In return for these numerous inroads of the 
 savages, it may relieve the mind to see thera 
 chastised by the hands of provincial volunteers. 
 Colonel Armstrong, at the head of about three 
 hundred militia, made an excursion into their 
 territory, and after marching several days 
 through woods and swamps, halted on the 
 borders of their town. Having disposed them- 
 selves in order, at day break they attacked the 
 Indians, of whom they killed forty and rescued 
 eleven prisoners. This town was situated about 
 twenty-five miles above Fort Du Quesne. 
 
 During the year 1757, governor Dinwiddle 
 took leave of the colony and sailed for Eng- 
 land. The character of this governor has been 
 assailed by the historians who have recorded 
 
125 
 
 the transactions of his government. They charge 
 him with want of integrity, and with disregard 
 for the interests of the colony. What foundation 
 they had for those charges we are in part left 
 to conjecture, as they have taken much more 
 pains to convince us that they believed him 
 guilty, than they have to show us the grounds 
 of that belief. 
 
 After the departure of Dinwiddle, the admi- 
 nistration devolved on John Blair, as president 
 of the council, until the arrival of Francis Faia* 
 quier, which happened in the following year. 
 Soon after Fauquier's entrance into office, he 
 published a proclamation, by which he conti- 
 nued in office those who had held their places 
 under his predecessor. He also dissolved the 
 assembly, and issued orders for a new elec- 
 tion. 
 
 Early in this gentleman's administration, the 
 troops designed for the conquest of Du Quesne 
 were put in motion. They amounted to about 
 eight thousand men, and were appointed to ren- 
 dezvous at Raystown. General Abercrombie, 
 in consequence of the return of lord Loudon 
 L2 
 
126 
 
 to England, had succeeded to the chief com- 
 mand of the colonial forces; but the depart- 
 ment of the middle and southern provinces 
 was committed to general Forbes. This officer, 
 with as many regular troops as could be spared 
 from the northern colonies, commenced his 
 march from Philadelphia in November 1758. 
 Colonel Bouquet* had been previously dis- 
 patched with two thousand men as an advance 
 guard. The troops from Virginia, agreeable to 
 the orders of the commander in chief, marched 
 in detachments from Winchester to Fort Cum- 
 berland. From thence they proceeded to Rays- 
 town, where the different detachments assem- 
 bled. From this place the country was cover- 
 ed with woods, mountains, and morasses, which 
 greatly impeded the progress of the army. 
 
 * Henry Bouquet was appointed lieutenant colonel in 
 the British army in 1756. Alter the expedition against 
 Fort Du Quesne, he was sent iVom Canada against the 
 Ohio Indians, whom he compelled to sue for peace. He 
 •was afterwards promoted to the rank of brigadier gene- 
 ral. He died at Pensacola, in February 17G6. Annm! 
 
127 
 
 Colonel Bouquet with his advance guard kept 
 a considerable distance before, for the pur- 
 pose of scouring the country, and protecting 
 the workmen engaged in opening a road-. 
 
 Bouquet with his detachment at length 
 reached Loyal Hanna, a post about fifty miles 
 from Raystown. From this place major Grant 
 was despatched with a body of eight hundred 
 men, for the purpose of reconnoitering the 
 country about Fort Du Quesne. This officer 
 reached a hill near the fort during the night, 
 and having posted his men in different columns, 
 he sent forward a party to examine the works 
 and discover the situation of the enemy. He 
 also detached major Lewis with a baggage 
 guard about two miles in his rear; and having 
 made such other arrangements as he deemed 
 necessary, he believed himself secure, and with 
 more parade than prudence ordered the reveille 
 or alarm to be beaten. During all this time 
 silence reigned in the fort, which Grant im- 
 puted to the terrors imposed by his appear- 
 ance. But the calm was a dreadful precursor of 
 a storm, which burst with resistless fury and 
 
128 
 
 unexpected ruin. The moment the Indians and 
 French were ready for the attack, they issued 
 from the fort, spreading death and dismay 
 amongst the provincial troops. As soon as the 
 attack was announced by the firing of guns, 
 major Lewis with his rear-guard advanced to 
 the assistance of Grant, leaving only fifty men 
 under the command of captain Bullet to guard 
 the baggage. Their united forces, however, were 
 unable to withstand the impetuous assault of 
 the savages, whose warwhoop is always a fore- 
 runner of havoc and destruction. The fire of the 
 rifle requires coolness and deliberation, whereas 
 the tomahawk and scalping- knife are fitted for 
 sanguinary despatch. No quarter was given by 
 the Indians. Major Grant saved his life only 
 by surrendermg to a French officer. In the 
 same way the brave major Lewis escaped, 
 after defending himself against several Indians 
 successively. The two principal ofiicers being 
 now in the hands of the enemy, the rout be- 
 came general amongst their troops. In their 
 pursuit the Indians exercised every cruelty 
 which savage; ferocity could inflict upon the 
 
129 
 
 hapless victims whom the sad fortune of the 
 day delivered into their hands. The situation 
 of the retreating troops at this time must ap- 
 pear truly desperate. They were in an enemy's 
 country, far from any English settlement, as 
 well as from any immediate prospect of suc- 
 cour; routed and dispersed by a bloody and 
 vindictive foe, whose intimate knowledge of 
 the woods and superior agility seemed to 
 threaten a total destruction of the party. Their 
 escape, however, was effected by the prudence 
 and heroism of captain Bullet, of the baggage 
 guard, by a manoeuvre no less fortunate for 
 his men than honourable to himself. This of- 
 ficer, immediately on discovering the rout of 
 the troops, despatched on the strongest horses 
 the most necessary part of the baggage, and 
 disposing the remainder on an advantageous 
 part of the road, us a kind of breastwork, he 
 posted his men behind it, and endeavoured not 
 only to rally the fugitives as they came up, 
 but by a well directed fire to check the violence 
 of the pursuers. Finding the enemy growing 
 too strong to be withstood by his feeble force, 
 
130 
 
 he ordered his men according to previous 
 agreement, to reverse their arms and march 
 up in front of their assailants, holding out a 
 signal for capitulation, as if going to surrender. 
 The impatience of the Indians to bathe their 
 tomahawks in English blood, would scarcely 
 allow them to suspend their attacks, while the 
 latter appeared in the act of suing for mercy. 
 The moment they had arrived within about 
 eighty yards of the enemy. Bullet gave the 
 word to fire: — A dreadful volley was instantly 
 poured upon the Indians, and was followed by 
 » furious charge with fixed bayonets. The ene- 
 my were unable to resist this bold and unex- 
 pected attack, and believing that the army of 
 the English was at hand, they fled with precipi- 
 tation; nor did they stop until they reached tlie 
 French regulars. Bullet, instead of pursuing 
 them, wisely retreated towards the main body 
 of the army, collecting in his march the wound- 
 ed and wandering soldiers, who had escaped 
 from the field of battle without knowing whi- 
 ther to direct their course. In this fatal action 
 about twenty officers and two hundred and 
 
131 
 
 seventy-three private soldiers were either killed 
 or taken prisoners. 
 
 The Virginia troops on this occasion be- 
 haved with courage, and suflfered severely in 
 the action; but the gallant conduct of captain 
 Bullet is almost without a parallel in American 
 history. His situation, after the defeat of Grant, 
 to an officer of less discernment must have ap- 
 peared desperate. To resist the triumphant 
 savages with a handful of men, would seem 
 madness; and to have fled without any hopes 
 of escape would have been folly. In this dilem- 
 ma, with scarcely time to deliberate. Bullet 
 adopted the only plan which could preserve 
 himself and his men from the most cruel death 
 or the most distressing captivity. 
 
CHAPTER X^. 
 
 1 HE main body of the army at length reached 
 the camp at Loyal Hanna on the 5th of Novem- 
 ber 1758. In their march from this post, Wash- 
 ington proceeded in front of the army to super- 
 intend the opening of the road. They were 
 much harassed by parties of Indians in their 
 march, and frequent skirmishes took place, in 
 one of which colonel Washington defeated a 
 ■party of the enemy and took several prisoners. 
 Colonel Mercer, who had been detached to 
 support the party of Washington, came upon 
 them during the night, and supposing them to 
 be Indians, an engagement ensued, in which 
 about fourteen persons were either killed or 
 wounded before their error could be discover- 
 ed. The army having reached the field of bat- 
 tle, found the ground strewed with the bodies 
 ©f those who had fallen in Grant's defeat. 
 They took possession of Fort Du Quesne 
 
133 
 
 Avithout opposition, the French having aban- 
 doned it during the night. This fortress, after 
 being repaired and garrisoned, was called Fort 
 Pitt, in honour of the celebrated statesman of 
 that name. 
 
 Their attention was then called to the last 
 sad office due to their unfortunate fellow sol- 
 diers, who lay unburied in the open field. They 
 collected their mangled carcases and covered 
 them in one common grave. 
 
 After having accomplished the object of the 
 expedition, general Forbes returned to Phila- 
 delphia,* and colonel Washington, who had 
 been elected by the county of Frederick a 
 member of the general assembly, directed his 
 course to Williamsburg. 
 
 The capture of Fort Du Quesne, as it was 
 the means of restoring peace to the frontiers, 
 diffused a general joy through the colony. The 
 success of general Forbes induced the ministry 
 
 * The hardships of the campaign had broke the con- 
 sliuiuon of general Forbes. He died soon after his re- 
 turn to Pliiladclphia. 
 
 M 
 
134 
 
 to think of extending their conquests, and re- 
 ducing Canada to the dominion of the British 
 crown. For this purpose in the year 1759 general 
 Amherst, who had succeeded to the chief com- 
 mand, marched in the month of July, at the head 
 of twelve thousand men, for Ticonderoga. On 
 their approach the enemy made a show of de- 
 fence, but on the 27th of the month they blew 
 up their magazine and retired to Crown Point. 
 They soon afterwards abandoned this post also 
 and retired to Aux Noix. On the 4th of Au- 
 gust general Amherst took possession of Crown 
 Point. While he was thus victoriously making 
 his way towards the St. Lawrence, for the pur- 
 pose of joining general Wolfe at Quebec, 
 general Prideaux, agreeably to the plan of the 
 campaign, had arrived at Niagara, which he 
 immediately invested. He was assisted by sir 
 William Johnson,* who commanded the New 
 
 • Sir William Johnson ^yas born in Ireland in the 
 year 1714, came to America about 1734, and died in 
 1774. His son, sir John Johnson, was appointed major 
 general in the same year in which his father died, and 
 G:overnor of Canada in 1796. 
 
135 
 
 York militia and a body of Indians who were 
 friendly to the American cause. This officer, 
 soon after their arrival at this place, succeeded 
 to the chief command, in consequence of the 
 death of general Prideaux, who was killed by 
 the bursting of a cohorn in the trenches. The 
 French, alarmed at the preparations making 
 for the reduction of the important post of Nia- 
 gara, determined to risk a battle in its defence. 
 A body of French and Indians, amounting to 
 about two thousand, under the command of 
 Monsieur D'Anbry, commenced an attack on 
 the 25th of July. In less than an hour they 
 were thrown into disorder by the fire of the 
 English, who took D'Anbry and sixteen other 
 officers prisoners. The fort was immediately 
 surrendered, and the garrison, which consisted 
 of about six hundred men, was conducted to 
 New^ York and New England. 
 
 Meanwhile general Wolfe had proceeded up 
 the St. Lawrence with a body of eight thousand 
 men, the fleet being commanded by admiral 
 Saunders. Having taken possession of the Isle 
 of Orleans and Point Levi, he prepared for an 
 
136 
 
 attack on the capital of the French dominions 
 in America. The situation of the town present- 
 ed almost insuperable difficulties to the be- 
 siegers. Its elevation above the level of the 
 river, while it enabled the garrison to annoy 
 the fleet below, precluded the possibility of 
 much damage from the latter. Batteries were 
 however erected on the Isle of Orleans and 
 Point Levi, and a heavy cannonade opened on 
 the lower town.* 
 
 The adventurous spirit of general Wolfe at 
 length determined him to scale the precipice, 
 and attack the enemy in their intrenchments. 
 To execute this plan the army embarked in 
 boats and proceeded several miles up the river, 
 above the place where they designed to land. 
 Under cover of the night they dropped silently 
 down again, undiscovered by the sentinels, and 
 landed directly against the Heights of Abraham. 
 
 * The tide, which formerly washed the foot of the 
 rock on which the town is built, has long since receded 
 to a great distance, leaving a considerable tract of ground 
 on which has been built what is called the lower town. 
 
137 
 
 The ascent to the top of the rock was so steep 
 and rugged, that the troops could ascend only 
 by laying hold of the bushes and stumps, and 
 pulling themselves up the precipice. At dawn 
 of day the army of Wolfe was drawn up in 
 good order on the Plains of Abraham. Mont- 
 calm immediately drew out his forces and ad- 
 vanced to the attack. The battle was obstinately 
 contested and the slaughter great on both sides, 
 and particularly so among the officers. Victory 
 at length crowned the prowess of the English, 
 who pursued the enemy to the very walls of the 
 town. On the 18th of September 1759, Que- 
 bee surrendered to the British crown. 
 
 The loss of the English in this battle was 
 about five hundred men, while that of the 
 French has been estimated at three times that 
 number. The commander in chief of each army 
 was mortally wounded. The splendid achieve- 
 ment of Wolfe, which put into the hands of the 
 British the metropolis of the French dominions 
 in America, will ever be remembered with a 
 mixture of regret for the loss of the best of 
 men and the bravest of officers. 
 M2 
 
138 
 
 General Wolfe early embraced the military 
 profession, and at a very juvenile age distin- 
 guished himself at the battle of La Feldt. Un- 
 der the ministry of the great Chatham his 
 splendid talents were brought into notice, and 
 after distinguishing himself at Louisburg he 
 was appointed to command the army against 
 Quebec. To the vivacity of youth he seemed 
 to unite the wisdom of years; and controlled by 
 the soundness of his judgment the glow of pas- 
 sion and the fire of military genius. The name 
 of Wolfe will descend on the page of history 
 marked with a brilliancy which must long at- 
 tract the admiration of posterity. His remains 
 were carried to England, and buried with pomp 
 in Westminister Abbey, where a handsome 
 monument has been erected to his memory. 
 His death has given to the celebrated West 
 the subject of a beautiful painting. 
 
 Lewis Joseph De Montcalm, marquis of St. 
 Veran, equally unfortunate on this fatal day, 
 was not less distinguished for his talents and 
 his bravery. He was born of a noble family at 
 Candiac in the year 1712, and at an early age 
 
139 
 
 commenced his military career. After com- 
 manding with reputation in Italy, Bohemia, 
 and Germany, he was sent to America in the 
 year 1756, when he succeeded Dieskau as 
 commander in chief in Canada. Soon after his 
 arrival he took Oswego, and Fort William 
 Henry, and in the year 1758 he repulsed gene- 
 ral Abercrombie with much slaughter from 
 the walls of Ticonderoga. His Ml and that of 
 Quebec were equally distressing to his country, . 
 
CHAPTER XL 
 
 W E are now verging on a period when the 
 encroachments of the British government upon 
 the rights of her colonies began to awake in 
 the latter a spirit of opposition and resistance. 
 The laurels won from her rival, by her gallant 
 officers and veteran armies, were doomed to 
 wither beneath the sway of an unwise and 
 obstinate ministry. A succession of measures, 
 as hostile to the liberties as annoying to the 
 feelings of the colonists, began to excite mur- 
 murs and discontent, which soon grew to open 
 and avowed opposition. 
 
 The first measure that brought fairly to trial 
 the sovereignty of the British parliament, and 
 the degree to which the submission of the 
 colonies would extend, was the passage of the 
 stamp act. The assembly was in session in the 
 
141 
 
 year 1765, when intelligence was received of 
 the passage of this alarming act. 
 
 The assembly of Virginia expressed their 
 opinion of this measure in several resolutions, 
 brought forward by Patrick Henry, Esquire, 
 declaratory of the rights of the colonies, and 
 condemning as unconstitutional any attempt 
 to impose on them taxes without their own 
 consent. 
 
 On the day in which that odious law was to 
 go into operation, not a sheet of stamped paper 
 was to be found, and every transaction that de- 
 pended upon it was suspended. A general fer- 
 ment pervaded the public mind, and petitions, 
 remonstrances and resolutions showed in what 
 direction the tide of popular opinion flowed. 
 This odious law was soon after repealed, but 
 the arbitrary spirit which gave it birth was not 
 so easily extinguished. The repeal was accom- 
 panied by a declaratory act, asserting the right 
 of the government to bind the colonies in all 
 cases whatsoever. She soon gave a better proof 
 of her right by imposing certain duties on tea, 
 glass, and some other articles imported into the 
 
142 
 
 colonies. This measure, generally denominated 
 the tea act, excited an opposition, if not so 
 general, yet in some places much more violent 
 than that excited by the stamp act. 
 
 During the year 1767 died Francis Fauquier, 
 lieutenant governor of Virginia, at the age of 
 sixty-five years. The government devolved on 
 John Blair until the arrival of lord Botetourt, 
 which happened in the following year. 
 
 The address of Botetourt to the assembly 
 which met first after his arrival, was, like his 
 own character, mild and conciliatory. During 
 the sitting of that body, however, several reso- 
 lutions were passed, condemnmg the measures 
 of government, in consequence of which the 
 governor felt it his duty to dissolve them. 
 Having summoned the burgesses to meet him 
 in the council chamber, he there presented 
 them with the following laconic address, " Mr. 
 *' Speaker, and gentlemen of the house of bur- 
 " gesses, I have heard of your resolves, and 
 *' augur ill of their effects; you have made it 
 *' my duty to dissolve you, and you are dis- 
 " solved accordingly." 
 
143 
 
 The members having met in a private house 
 in town, appointed a speaker and formed una- 
 nimously a non-importation agreement. 
 
 The governor used all his influence to pro- 
 mote the interests, and restore the peace of the 
 colonies. His death, which happened in 1771, 
 cast a gloom over the affairs of Virginia. Equally- 
 celebrated for the soundness of his judgment 
 and the honesty of his heart, lord Botetourt re- 
 ceived and merited the affections of the people. 
 Never was the administration of the govern- 
 ment in the hands of one more beloved, or 
 whose death was more justly lamented. The 
 assembly testified their respect for his charac- 
 ter by passing a resolution to erect a statue to 
 his memory. 
 
 William Nelson, being president of the 
 council, occupied the chair of government 
 until the arrival of lord Dunmore in the year 
 1772. This nobleman had been governor of 
 New York, from which place he was removed 
 to Virginia. He had previously sent on his fa- 
 mily, under the care of captain Foy, his private 
 secretary, an officer who had w^on some glory in 
 
144 
 
 the battle of Minden, but whose military talents 
 were watched with a jealous eye by the colo- 
 nists. They were afraid he was designed as an 
 instrument to enforce the measures of govern- 
 ment, and their suspicions were increased by 
 the enlargement of his salary by the governor, 
 without the cognizance of the assembly, and 
 contrary to the established laws and customs 
 of the country. The assembly did not neglect 
 to lay before the governor the sense of the 
 house on the subject. The mildness of his 
 answer was calculated to silence their mur- 
 murs, but could not secure their confidence. 
 His advent seemed the precursor of war and all 
 its train of horrors. 
 
 During the following session of the assembly 
 a committee of correspondence was appointed, 
 for the purpose of obtaining the earliest infor- 
 mation, both of the measures of the British 
 government, and the proceedings of the sister 
 colonies. This committee consisted of the fol- 
 lowinp: persons: Peyton Randolph, Robert Car- I 
 ter Nicholas, Richard Bland, Richard Henry 
 Lee, Benjamin Harrison, Edmund Pendleton, 
 
145 
 
 Patrick Henry, Dudley Digges, Dabney Carr, 
 Archibald Carey, and Thomas Jefferson. 
 
 The colony of Virginia, next to that of Mas- 
 sachusetts, was most active in her opposition 
 to the arbitrary measures of government. When 
 intelligence was received of the shutting up of 
 Boston port, the assembly entered an animated 
 protest on their journals, against that and other 
 measures, which they said " were the result of 
 a determination to enslave the colonies." While 
 engaged in these proceedings they received a 
 summons to the council chamber, and were 
 immediately dissolved. On the succeeding day 
 the members met at the Raleigh tavern, where 
 they formally agreed among themselves, and 
 recommended the same to others, not to pur- 
 chase any tea or East India commodity, except 
 saltpetre and spices, until the duties should be 
 taken off. They also recommended to their 
 committee of correspondence, to communicate 
 with the other colonial committees of corres- 
 pondence on the expediency of calling a gene- 
 ral congress. 
 
 While the assembly of Virginia were en^ 
 N 
 
146 
 
 gaged in these momentous deliberations, our 
 frontiers became the theatre of Indian depreda- 
 tion and cruehy. The sad tidings from the bor- 
 ders at length arrested the attention of the go- 
 vernor, who issued orders to the back counties 
 to furnish their respective quotas of militia. 
 
 The Indian name was no longer terrible to 
 the Virginians, whose dexterity in the use of 
 the rifle had taught the enemy to dread the 
 dangerous contest. An army of three thousand 
 was soon raised, chiefly from the counties of 
 Bedford, Augusta, and Botetourt. Fifteen hun- 
 dred men, under the comm.and of colonel An- 
 drew Lewis, were ordered to proceed towards 
 the mouth of the Great Kenhaway, while the 
 remainder, with Dunmore at their head, march- 
 ed to a point farther up the Ohio, with a de- 
 sign to reach the Indian towns in the absence 
 of their warriors. 
 
 The division under Lewis having arrived at 
 Point Pleasant, received intelligence that a large 
 body of Indians were approaching within a mile 
 of their camp. The news was soon confirmed 
 by the arrival of several scouts, some of whom 
 
14.7 
 
 bcre fatal marks of the proximity of the foe. 
 A detachment of three hundred men, under 
 the command of colonels Charles Lewis and 
 Fleming, advanced to the attack, assisted by 
 captains Dickmson, Harrison, Wilson, Lock- 
 ridge, J. Lewis, Burford, Love, Shelby and 
 Russell. Lewis, at the head of the first divi- 
 sion, proceeded to the right at some distance 
 from the Ohio, while Fleming with the other 
 division marched on the left towards the bank 
 of the river. About sunrise a firing was opened 
 against the right wing by a body of about fif- 
 teen hundred Indians. The commencement of 
 the attack, which among savages is always im- 
 petuous, proved very destructive to the militia. 
 Colonel Lewis, the commander of the right 
 division, fell early in the engagement, and a 
 number of his men were either killed or wound- 
 ed. At length the whole division was compel- 
 led to fall back, while the left, under Fleming, 
 was equally hard pressed. This brave officer, 
 having received a wound on his wrist, still 
 continued to animate his men, w'ho seemed 
 willing to dispute every inch of ground with 
 
148 
 
 tlie enemy. The superior numbers of the latter 
 enabled them to outflank the Virginians, while 
 the party that had defeated Lewis were prepar- 
 ing to attack Fleming in the rear. At this cri- 
 tical moment, the advance divisions were re- 
 lieved by the arrival of a reinforcement under 
 colonel Field, whose assistance turned the scale 
 of victory, and decided the fate of the day. 
 The retreat of the enemy was however slow, 
 and their firing, which continued under cover 
 of the woods, was not silenced till dark. 
 
 In this engagement, which lasted the whole 
 day, upwards of fifty Virginians, including colo- 
 nels Lewis and Field, were killed, and about 
 ninety wounded. 
 
 After the battle, colonel Andrew Lewis, 
 anxious to revenge the death of his brother, 
 proceeded towards the Shawanese towns for 
 the purpose of destroying them. On his way 
 he was met by an express from Dunmore, in- 
 forming him that his lordship had concluded a 
 peace with the Indians, who had agreed to give 
 up their lands on this side of the Ohio, and set 
 at liberty their prisoners. 
 
149 
 
 It was while the articles of this treaty were 
 adjusting that the famous speech of Logan is 
 said to have been delivered to lord Dunmore. 
 This eloquent chief was the son of Shikille- 
 mus, a celebrated warrior of the Cayuga nation,, 
 whose residence was at Shamokin. He was re- 
 preseiitid by Mr. Hocke welder, a Moravian 
 missionary, as a man of talents and a friend to 
 the whites. In the year 1774 the family of Lo- 
 gan was sacrificed by the indiscriminate ven- 
 geance of a party of whites under the command 
 of captain Michael Cresap. This fatal attack 
 on the family and peace of Logan, too much 
 resembled his own mode of warfare, and ought 
 not to be excused on the ground of retaliation. 
 The immediate cause of the outrage was a re- 
 port of a number of white persons, who were 
 looking for a new settlement, having been killed 
 by the Indians. But justice, to punish the crimes 
 of the warrior, did not require the blood of his 
 innocent wife and children. The war, which 
 followed in consequence of this severe attack 
 on the funily of the chief, was marked by all 
 the ferocity of savage vengeance. Happily the 
 N2 
 
150 
 
 battle of Point Pleasant brought these hostili- 
 ties to a close, and compelled the enemy to sue 
 for peace. The implacable Logan, however, 
 refused to listen to the sound of peace, but 
 remaining in his cabin, he is said to have sent 
 by a messenger the following warlike address 
 to Dunmore. 
 
 " I appeal to any white man to say if ever 
 " he entered Logan's cabin hungry, and he 
 *' gave him not meat; if ever he came cold 
 " and naked, and he clothed him not. During 
 " the last long and bloody war Logan remain- 
 " ed idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. 
 '* Such was Logan's love for the whites, that 
 " my countrymen pointed as they passed and 
 " said, Logan is the friend of white men. I 
 *' had even thought to have lived with you, 
 ** but for the injuries of one man. Colonel 
 " Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood and 
 *^ unprovoked, murdered all the relations of 
 ** Logan, not even sparing my women and 
 " children. There runs not a drop of my blood 
 *' in the veins of any living creature. This 
 ** called on me for revenge. I have sought it. 
 
151 
 
 " I have killed many. I have fully glutted my 
 *' vengeance. For my country I rejoice at the 
 " beams of peace. But do not harbour a thought 
 " that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never 
 *' felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save 
 " his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan! 
 *' Not one." 
 
 Whether this be really the speech of Logan, 
 or was put in his mouth by the ingenuity of 
 some poetic fancy, I shall not pretend to de- 
 cide. It is certainly characterized by the laco- 
 nic and figurative style of the Indians. I can- 
 not, however, see in it that " tender sentiment" 
 and " sublime morality" which the historians 
 of Virginia say it possesses. Certainly there is 
 nothing eidicr tender or sublime in the decla- 
 ration of savage vengeance, and the confession 
 of having glutted himself widi the blood of his 
 enemies. The end of this bloody warrior cor- 
 responded with his life. After " having killed 
 many and glutted his vengeance with blood," 
 he went to Detroit, on his return from which 
 place he was murdered. After the return of 
 peace had compelled Logan to forbear the use 
 
152 
 
 of the tomahawk and the hatchet, the renown- 
 ed warrior had become an abandoned sot. The 
 immoderate use of brandy had stupified his 
 mental powers, and mingled with the ferocity 
 of the savage, the delirious ravings of the 
 drunkard. 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Towards the dose of the year 1774 the 
 affairs of the colony began to wear a most 
 eventful aspect. Preparations were every where 
 making to decide by arms those grand points 
 that could not be settled by argument. In Sep- 
 tember a deputation from all the colonies met 
 at Philadelphia, to deliberate on the important 
 affairs of the nation. This august assembly, not 
 inferior to a Roman senate for wisdom or vir- 
 tue, evinced the sincerity of their loyalty as 
 well as the firmness of their patriotism. Their 
 attachment to the crown was not more sincere 
 than their determination to resist its encroach- 
 ments on the rights and liberties of the people. 
 While they breathed the spirit of peace and 
 loyalty, they did not neglect to confirm the 
 people in their opposition to tyranny and op- 
 pression. Much important business came be- 
 
154. 
 
 fore the house, a detail of which more properly 
 belongs to a general history of the revolution. 
 The public mind, now writhing under the 
 lash of ministerial arrogance, awaited only the 
 word of her rulers to plant the standard of re- 
 volt, and array her forces against the power 
 and pride of Britain. In consequence of the 
 hostile appearances in some of the colonies, 
 orders were issued to the provincial governors 
 to deprive the people of the means of resist- 
 ance, by removing the military stores to places 
 of security. 
 
 In compliance with this order, governor 
 Dunmore, whose mind was assailed by terrors, 
 often the companions of an unsound heart, re- 
 moved the powder from the magazine in Wil- 
 liamsburg, and placed it on board the Magdalen 
 man of war. This measure excited a ferment 
 among the people of the town, who assembled 
 for the purpose of demanding restitution. They 
 were prevailed on, however, to disperse, and a 
 remonstrance was presented to the governor 
 against the removal of the powder, which was 
 stated to be necessary to the defence of the 
 
155 
 
 colony, in the event of an insurrection amongst 
 the negroes. The governor gave assurances that 
 the powder should be restored the moment 
 that the public security required it. This an- 
 swer, unsatisfiictory as it was in its nature, 
 seemed to quiet the minds of the people for 
 the moment; but the subsequent conduct of 
 Dunmore was not calculated to restore har- 
 mony to the colony. Conscious of having de- 
 served the enmity of the people, he took care 
 to provide against its effects. He removed his 
 family on board the Fowey man of war, fearful 
 of an attack on his palace, which was defended 
 chiefly by parties of negroes whom he had 
 armed as his lifeguard. 
 
 The peace of the town was much disturbed 
 by a report, that in case of any tumult the in- 
 habitants were to be massacred. The feelings 
 of the people were wrought up to an alarming 
 height, and not only at the seat of government, 
 but throughout the colony, the dark cloud of 
 war seemed to be gathering fast. At Frede- 
 ricksburg, the militia took a most menacing 
 attitude. They encamped in the field, armed 
 
156 
 
 and eqiiipt for service, while deputies were 
 sent to ascertain how matters stood at Wil- 
 liamsburg. In several other places preparations 
 were making for marching to the seat of go- 
 vernment, in case of necessity. The patriots of 
 Hanover, more zealous than the rest, without 
 waiting for orders, marched with the illustri- 
 ous Patrick Henry at their head, for the pur- 
 pose of demanding restitution of the powder 
 which Dunmore had taken from the magazine. 
 By the time they had reached Doncastle ordi- 
 nary, sixteen miles from Williamsburg, their 
 numbers had increased to near five hundred 
 men. 
 
 The approach of Henry at the head of an 
 armed force excited in the breast of Dunmore 
 the most serious apprehensions. His perilous 
 situation compelled him to ask advice of the 
 council, which at that time consisted of the 
 following persons: William Nelson, president, 
 Mr. Camm, president of the college, Ralph 
 Wormley, colonel G. Corbin, G. Corbin, ju- 
 nior, colonel W^illiam Byrd and John Page. It 
 was agreed in council that a deputation should 
 
157 
 
 meet the volunteers, and dissuade them from 
 entering the town. 
 
 Henry in the mean time having halted at the 
 house of colonel G. Corbin, the king's receiver 
 general, obtained from him, chiefly through 
 the influence of a Mr. Braxton, a bill for the 
 amount of the powder. Henry having accom- 
 plished the object of his expedition, dismissed 
 his volunteers, and proceeded on his way to the 
 general congress, of which he again had been 
 elected a member. 
 
 In consequence of this spirited conduct of 
 Mr. Henry, he was denounced by a proclama- 
 tion of the governor, and the people of Hano- 
 ver were forbid to aid or assist him in any 
 seditious measures, under the penalty of being 
 declared rebels. His conduct, however, was ap- 
 plauded by his country, and he had the satis- 
 faction of receiving from different parts of the 
 colony the warmest testimonials of approbation. 
 
 While the cloud of war was thus gathering 
 over Virginia, news arrived that it had already 
 burst in New England. The battle of Lexing- 
 O 
 
158 
 
 ton, quick as an electric shock, roused the 
 most languid and animated the most patriotic. 
 
 The governor of Virginia, no longer think- 
 ing himself secure in his palace, took refuge 
 on board the Fowey man of war. This step 
 brought the royal government in Virginia to 
 a close. Lord Dunmore not only refused, on 
 the solicitation of the assembly, to return to 
 the palace, but declined giving his assent to 
 several important bills offered by the assembly 
 for his concurrence. This body now dissolved 
 themselves, most of the members having been 
 elected to the convention about to meet in 
 Richmond. A short time afterwards Dunmore 
 and his family, attended by captain Foy, sailed 
 from Yorktown. 
 
 In July 1775 the convention met in Rich- 
 mond, for the purpose of organizing a pro- 
 vincial form of government and plan of defence 
 for the colony. The latter important trust was 
 placed in the hands of a committee of public 
 safety, consisting of the following illustrious 
 characters: Edmund Pendleton, George Ma- 
 son, John Page, Richard Bland, Thomas Lud- 
 
159 
 
 well Lee, Paul Carrington, Dudley Digges, 
 James Mercer, Carter Braxton, William Ca- 
 bell and John Tabb. Most of these names will 
 be familiar to the reader versed in the annals 
 of his country. 
 
 Edmund Pendleton was a member of the 
 first congress in the year 1774, and was again 
 appointed at the next election; but in the year 
 1775 his bad state of health induced him to 
 decline the honour of a third election. He was 
 for many years one of the judges of the court 
 of appeals, in which he presided at the time of 
 his death. In 1787 he was appointed president 
 of the convention which met to consider the 
 constitution proposed for the government of 
 the United States. For its adoption he was a 
 powerful advocate. In the year 1789 he was 
 appointed by Washington district judge, but 
 declining the office, it was filled by the ap- 
 pointment of Cyrus Griffin. During the ad- 
 ministration of Adams the venerable judge 
 published a pamphlet against a war with 
 France. He died in Richmond, October 26lh, 
 1803, ill the eighty. third year of his age. 
 
160 
 
 George Mason was not less illustrious as ii 
 statesman nor less virtuous as a eitizen. He 
 was a member of the general convention which, 
 in the year 1787, framed the federal constitu- 
 tion, as well as of the convention of Virginia 
 which in the following year met for its adop- 
 tion. In the former body he refused to sign his 
 name to the instrument formed by his coad- 
 jutors; in the latter he used the whole force of 
 his reasoning powers against its adoption. In 
 George Mason the friends to the federal con- 
 stitution found, next to Mr. Henry, their most 
 powerful opponent. He opposed the general 
 plan as tending to consolidation, and contend- 
 ed for a reservation to the states of all powers 
 not delegated. He was so averse from that sec- 
 tion that allowed the slave trade for twenty 
 years, that he wished rather to exclude the 
 southern states from the union than admit so 
 illegal a traffic. He died at his seat at Gunston 
 Hall in the year 1792, at the age of sixty -seven 
 years. 
 
 John Page, equally distinguished for his 
 talents and his patriotism, was worthy the 
 
161 
 
 many important trusts committed to his hands. 
 From the commencement of the revolution till 
 his death, he was the friend and faithful ser- 
 vant of his country. He was one of the repre- 
 sentatives from Virginia in the first congress 
 under the federal constitution. In the year 1800 
 lie was chosen one of the electors of president, 
 and in 1 802 was elected governor of Virginia. 
 He died at Richmond, October Uth, 1808, in 
 the sixty-fifth year of his age. 
 
 Richard Bland was a political writer, and 
 an active member of the iiouse of burgesses 
 about the commencement of the revolution. 
 He published, in the year 1766, an inquiry into 
 the rights of the British colonies, in answer to 
 a pamphlet published in London in the pre- 
 ceding year. 
 
 The convention voted for the service of the 
 state, two regiments of regulars to serve for 
 one year, and also ordered that a portion of the 
 militia should encamp by regiments, for the 
 purpose of improving in military exercises. 
 These were denominated minute men, from 
 the nature of their enlistment, which required 
 02 
 
162 
 
 them to be ready to march at a minute's 
 warning. 
 
 The general committee met soon after at 
 Hanover town, where those who had been 
 elected officers by their companies repaired to 
 get their commissions. The committee also 
 appointed a commissary of stores, and another 
 of provisions, in order that supplies adequate 
 to the wants of the army might be read}'. 
 Their attention was next turned to Norfolk, 
 where it was expected Dun more, who had not 
 yet left the coast of Virginia, would make an 
 attack. Captain Davis, of the Norfolk volun- 
 teers, was ordered to collect and mount all the 
 cannon he could procure. The committee after 
 making these arrangements adjourned to meet 
 in Williamsburg. 
 
 Meanwhile Dunmore, whose force consisted 
 of three or four armed vessels and two com- 
 panies of the fourteenth regiment just arrived 
 from the West Indies, together with a few 
 negroes and tories, was preparing for an attack 
 on Hampton. The inhabitants of that place had 
 excited his lordship's vengeance by aflbrding 
 
16S 
 
 shelter to two young men of the name of Bar- 
 ron, who had annoyed his fleet and burnt two 
 of his vessels. These adventurous patriots com- 
 manded tw^o pilot boats, with which they ho- 
 vered near the enemy, and when pursued they 
 made Hampton their place of retreat. Hampton 
 was unable to resist Dunmore without military 
 aid, and it was a question with the committee 
 whether policy required the defence of the 
 coast, or whether it should be abandoned to 
 the enemy. The disgraceful idea of wasting 
 the country before the invaders, was warmly 
 and successfully reprobated by John Page, the 
 early and steady friend of the revolution. It 
 was accordingly determined to send a force to 
 the assistance of Hampton; and captain Nicho- 
 las, of the second regiment of regulars, and 
 captain Lyne of the King and Queen county 
 minute men, were appointed for that purpose. 
 These were followed by colonel Woodford, 
 with one hundred riflemen of the Culpeper 
 battalion. 
 
 Before the arrival of Woodford an attack 
 was made on the town by a party of the enemy, 
 
164 
 
 who met with a reception that compelled them 
 to abandon the enterprise. The town was soon 
 after strengthened by the arrival of Woodford, 
 who posted his men in the most advantageous 
 situation to repel an attack. Early in the morn- 
 ing, the fleet of Dunmore appeared in view'-, 
 and began to cannonade the town. The firing 
 was answered from the beach by the riflemen, 
 who under cover of woods and bushes annoyed 
 the enemy on their decks and compelled them 
 to retire. 
 
 Dunmore next attempted to get possession 
 of some cannon belonging to the colony, in 
 Princess Anne county. Colonel Hutchinson, 
 the country commandant, having received in- 
 telligence of his lordship's movements, pre- 
 pared to attack him on his way thither. For 
 this purpose, he placed a number of men in 
 ambush on the road which Dunmore was ex- 
 pected to take. But the plan was better laid 
 than executed. On the approach of the enemy 
 the party was thrown into confusion, and their 
 commander and some of the men were made 
 prisoners. 
 
165 
 
 After this affair Dunmore finding that the 
 provincials were preparing to attack him, took 
 a strong position at Great Bridge, on EHzabeth 
 river, where he hoped to intercept the miUtia 
 that were marching against him. Here he erect- 
 ed a fort, which he garrisoned with a company 
 of reguhirs under major Leslie. 
 
 The committee to whom was intrusted the 
 defence of the colony, sent colonel Woodford 
 with the second regiment, and a party of mili- 
 tia, to dislodge the enemy from their post. 
 This officer, having despatched colonel Scott 
 and major Marshall* with part of the troops in 
 advance, proceeded with the remainder to Suf- 
 folk, where he was joined by a number of 
 equestrian volunteers. Meanwhile the advance 
 detachment under Scott and Marshall, having 
 seized all the boats in the river, were ready to 
 cross and attack the enemy. On the arrival of 
 AVoodford a breastwork was constructed within 
 cannon shot of the fort, but for want of artil- 
 ler}' no attack could be made. 
 
 * Father of the present Chief Justice 
 
166 
 
 On the ninih of December captain Fordyce 
 was ordered to storm the works of the pro- 
 vhicials. At sunrise a column, led by about 
 sixty grenadiers, advanced along the bridge 
 with fixed bayonets against the breastwork. 
 They were saluted by a heavy fire in front, 
 and attacked in flank by a small party under 
 captain Stevens, who was posted on an emi- 
 nence on the left. Under this destructive fire 
 they continued to advance, until the fall of the 
 commandant, within a few steps of the breast- 
 work, was taken as a signal for retreat. In this 
 ill-judged attack almost every grenadier was 
 either killed or wounded. Their retreat was 
 covered by the cannon of the fort. After this 
 repulse lord Dunmore and most of his fol- 
 lowers took refuge on board his vessels, and 
 the provincial troops marched into Norfolk. 
 
 During their stay in Norfolk the soldiers 
 considerably annoyed the enemy, by firing into 
 their vessels, under cover of the houses which 
 stood along the shore. In revenge for these in- 
 sults, lord Dunmore commenced a heavy can- 
 nonade on the town. On the night of the 1st 
 
167 
 
 of January 1776, a party of the enemy landed 
 under cover of their cannon, and set fire to the 
 houses near the river which afforded shelter to 
 our troops. The latter beheld the progress of 
 the flames with less concern, from an appre- 
 hension that the British designed to make 
 Norfolk a permanent post. Impressed with this 
 idea, the committee of public safety sent orders 
 to colonel Howe, who commanded in Norfolk, 
 to destroy the remainder of the town. Thus 
 was the most populous* town in Virginia re- 
 duced to ashes, from a vain hope that its des- 
 truction would remove the seat of the war from 
 our colony. 
 
 Colonel Howe was assisted in the command 
 at Norfolk by colonels Woodford and Stevens, 
 two able and zealous officers. In addition to 
 the two regiments already in service, the con- 
 vention determined to raise seven more for the 
 defence of the colony.f 
 
 After the vote of the convention for raising 
 
 " Norfolk contained near 6000 inhabitants, 
 t For note seethe next page. 
 
168 
 
 the new troops had taken place, the committee 
 of safety informed their representatives in con- 
 gress of that measure, desiring them to use 
 their endeavours to have the whole supported 
 from the continental treasury. Only six regi- 
 ments, however, were received into pay by 
 congress, who granted commissions to the of- 
 ficers in the order they stood recommended 
 by the convention, beginning with colonel 
 Henry of the first, and ending with colonel 
 Buckner of the sixth regiment. 
 
 Colonel Henry, on being offered his com- 
 mission, declined the honour, having deter- 
 mined to retire from military service. He ac- 
 cordingly resigned the command he held under 
 the convention, and retired to his residence in 
 
 t The following gentlemen were also chosen as field 
 officers to the troops about to be raised. 
 
 Ke^iiiient. 
 
 Colonels. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonels. 
 
 Mcjors. 
 
 Third, 
 
 Hugh Mercer. 
 
 George Weedon. 
 
 Thomas Marshall 
 
 Fourth, 
 
 Adam Steven. 
 
 Isaac Read. 
 
 R. Lawson. 
 
 Fifth, 
 
 William Peachy 
 
 William CrawfoH. 
 
 J. Parker. 
 
 Sixth, 
 
 Wordecai Buckner. 
 
 Thomas Elliott. 
 
 J. Hendricks. 
 
 Seventh, 
 
 William Dat-.gerfield. 
 
 Alex. M'Clanahan. 
 
 Willia.u Nelson. 
 
 Eighth, 
 
 Peter Muhlenburg. 
 
 A. Bow.., an. 
 
 P. Helvinstone. 
 
 Ninth, 
 
 Thomas Flemming. 
 
 George Matthew*. 
 
 M. Donavon. 
 
169 
 
 Hanover. Previous to his departure from Wil- 
 liamsburg he received an address from the 
 officers and soldiers of his regiment, in which 
 they expressed their regret at his leaving them, 
 but applauded his spirited resentment to what 
 they styled a most glaring indignity. From this 
 address it appears that Mr. Henry's resignation 
 was owing to some disgust at the new arrange- 
 ment that had taken place, or to some part of 
 the conduct of the committee of safety. Imme- 
 diately after his return home he was chosen 
 one of the delegates to represent the county of 
 Hanover in convention. 
 
 On Monday the 6th of May, forty-five mem- 
 bers of the house of burgesses met at the 
 capitol in Williamsburg, pursuant to their last 
 adjournment; but it being their opinion that 
 they could no longer act under the ancient 
 constitution, tliey unanimously dissolved thcm- 
 sehes. The same day the general convention 
 of delegates, from the different counties and 
 corporations, met at the capitol, and having 
 appointed Edmund Pendleton president, and 
 P 
 
170 
 
 John Tazewell clerk, they proceeded to the con- 
 sideration of the important affairs of the colony. 
 
 On the 15th of the same month the conven- 
 tion, after appealing to " the Searcher of hearts" 
 for the sincerity of their former declarations in 
 favour of peace and union with the mother 
 country, adopted unanimously the following 
 resolution. 
 
 " That the delegates appointed to represent 
 " this colony in general congress be instructed 
 " to propose to that respectable body to declare 
 " the united colonies free and independent States, 
 *' absolved from all allegiance to, or depen- 
 " dence on the crown or parliament of Great 
 " Britain; and that they give the assent of this 
 " colony to such declaration, and whatever 
 " measures may be thought necessary by con- 
 " gress for forming foreign alliances, and a 
 " confederation of the colonies at such time 
 *' and in the manner that to them shall seem 
 " best: provided, that the power of forming 
 " governments for, and the regulations of the 
 " internal concerns of each colony be left to 
 "the colonial legislatures." They also appoint- 
 
171 
 
 ed a committee to prepare a declaration of 
 rights, and a plan of government^ for the 
 colony. 
 
 The declaration of rights prepared by the 
 committee, in consequence of the resolution 
 of the house, after having undergone some 
 slight alterations was, on the twelfth of June, 
 approved by an unanimous vote of the con- 
 vention. On the 29th of the same month a 
 constitution or form of government, built on 
 the solid base of equal rights, was unanimously 
 adopted by the house. In order to put this go- 
 vernment in motion, it was declared in the lust 
 clause of the constitution, " that the represen- 
 *' tatives of the people, met in convention, 
 *' shall choose a governor and privy council 
 " and such other officers, directed to be chosen 
 " by both houses, as may be judged necessary 
 "to be immediately appointed. The senate to 
 *' be first chosen by the people, to continue till 
 " the last day of March next, and the other 
 " officers until the end of the succeeding ses- 
 " sion of the assembly." 
 
 * Note III. Appendix. 
 
172 
 
 in pursuance of the above regulation the 
 ibllowing appointments were made under the 
 new plan of government. 
 
 Patrick Henry, Esquire, Governor. 
 
 John Page, Dudley Digges, John Tayloe, 
 John Blair, Benjamin Harrison of Berkeley, 
 Bartholomew Dandringe, Charles Carter of 
 Shirley, and Benjamin Harrison of Brandon, 
 counsellors of state. 
 
 Thomas Whiting, John Hatchings, Cham- 
 pion Travis, Thomas Newton jun. and George 
 Webb, Esquires, commissioners of admiralty. 
 
 Thornas Everard and James Cocke, Es- 
 quires, commissioners for settling accounts. 
 
 Edmund Randolph, Esquire, attorney ge- 
 neral. 
 
 On the 5th of July the general convention 
 adjourned themselves, to meet on the first 
 Monday of October following. During their 
 session they passed, beside the declaration of 
 rights and plan of government, several ordi- 
 nances for the defence and internal improve- 
 ment of the colony, the most important of 
 which were the following: 
 
173 
 
 An ordinance for erecting salt works in the 
 colony. For establishing a board of commis- 
 sioners to superintend and direct the naval 
 affairs of the colony. For raising six troops of 
 horse. For arranging the counties into districts 
 for electing senators, &c. They also resolved 
 to expunge from the litany such parts as re- 
 lated to the king and royal family, and substi- 
 tuted in the morning and evening service such 
 forms of expression as were better suited to 
 the new state of affliirs. 
 
 The declaration of independence, so strongly 
 recommended by the Virginia convention, was 
 passed in congress on the Fourth of July 1776; 
 and agreeably to an order of the privy council, 
 it was proclaimed on the 25 ih of the same 
 month at the capitol, the court-house, and the 
 palace at Williamsburg, amidst the acclama- 
 tions of the people, and accompanied by the 
 firing of cannon and musqiietry. 
 
 Lord Dunmore having left Hampton Roads 
 with his whole fleet, sailed up the bay of Chesa- 
 peake, and about the first of June landed on 
 Gwynn's island, near the mouth of the Rappa- 
 P2 
 
174 
 
 hannock, where he fortified himself. His force 
 was about five hundred men, including negroes. 
 In this position he was attacked by a body of 
 troops, under the command of brigadier ge- 
 neral Lewis, and compelled to abandon the 
 island, leaving behind a great part of his bag- 
 gage. 
 
 Tired at length of a war which yielded only 
 disgrace and disappointment, lord Dunmore, 
 after despatching the miserable remnant of his 
 followers to Florida and the West Indies, sailed 
 from Virginia, and arrived with lord William 
 Campbell and sir Peter Parker off Staten island 
 on the litU of August 1776. 
 
CHAPTER XIU 
 
 Having given a detail of the military and 
 civil events in Virginia, until the establishment 
 of the present republican form- of government, 
 it may not be uninteresting to close the colonial 
 history with a brief survey of the genius and 
 literature of our country at this period. And 
 here the slightest observation will convince us, 
 that the opinion entertained by the British, and 
 publicly expressed in parliament, respecting the 
 ignorance of the colonists, was equally illiberal 
 and unfounded. 
 
 The depth and boldness of our political 
 essays, and the masterly eloquence displayed in 
 our councils, refutes the calumny. Few assem- 
 blies could boast of more wisdom, and none of 
 more virtue, than the first general congress of 
 the colonies. Of this august body, the Virginia 
 representation formed, in weight of talents and 
 integrity of principle, a very important part. 
 
176 
 
 Virginia fostered in her bosom the most en- 
 lightened statesmen and the most illustrious 
 heroes. She gave a leader to our armies and an 
 orator of the highest order to our councils. The 
 celebrated Patrick H nry was amonsj the ear- 
 liest and ablest supporters of the revolution. He 
 possessed a mind fraught with wisdom and a 
 patriotism steady as the beam of heaven. Wc 
 have already seen him at the head of a band of 
 volunteers directing his march against the palace 
 of Dunmore, whose seat he was so soon to oc- 
 cupy, and on the ruin of whose power his own 
 and his country's glory was shortly to be built. 
 But when declaiming in the great councils of 
 the nation, our admiration rises at the extent 
 of his knowledge and the resistless force of his 
 eloquence. He combined in a happy degree the 
 power of reasoning with the more attractive 
 accomplishments of the orator. Without the 
 aid of extensive learning, or the influence which 
 family and fortune bestow, he possessed a con- 
 trol over the passions and o[)inions of his au- 
 dience, which his own eloquence alone could 
 describe. To a clear understanding and a correct 
 
177 
 
 taste, he united a bold imagination and mysteri- 
 ous power of expression u hich argument could 
 not resist nor obstinacy withstand. As early as 
 the year 1765, Mr. Henry was a member of 
 the assembly of Virginia, in which body he in- 
 troduced some resolutions that breathed a spirit 
 of liberty and showed th\i zeal and patriotism of 
 his youthful mind. In the year 1774 he was 
 chosen a deputy from Virginia to the first con- 
 gress, and formed one of tlie committee who 
 drew up the petition to the king. 
 
 As already observed, Mr. Henry was active 
 in opposing the tyranny of lord Dunmore, and 
 marched in person with the volunteers of Hano- 
 ver to demand restitution of the powder carried 
 off from the magazine. He was afterwards ap- 
 pointed colonel of the first Virginia regiment, 
 but thinking himself not well treated by the 
 committee of safety, he shortly after resigned 
 his commission, and withdrew from public ser- 
 vice.* His country, however, knew his worth 
 too well to allow him a long retirement. In the 
 
 * MS. Penes me. 
 
178 
 
 year 1776 he was elected by the convention first 
 governor of Virghiia under the new constitu- 
 tion, and continued in that high office for several 
 successive years. In the year 1778 he received 
 an anonymous letter, designed to alienate his 
 affections from his friend general Washington. 
 This letter he enclosed to the general to put 
 him on his guard against the insidious attacks 
 of his enemies. In June 1788, he was a member 
 of the Virginia convention, in which he opposed 
 the adoption of the federal constitution with all 
 the power of his eloquence. Almost the whole 
 weight of opposition devolved on him, and the 
 difficulty of the task only served to unfold the 
 astonishing resources of his mind. He opposed 
 the constitution on the ground, that changes 
 were dangerous to liberty, and that the proposed 
 plan was a consolidation in which the rights of 
 the states would be lost in the powers of the 
 general government. To reply to the arguments 
 of a Madison, a Randolph and a Marshall, re- 
 quired no ordinary share of understanding and 
 eloquence. Although opposed to its adoption, 
 
179 
 
 Mr. Henry was a firm supporter of the consti- 
 tution u hen adopted. 
 
 After the resignation of Mr. Randolph in the 
 year 1795, Mr. Henry v\as nominated secretary 
 of state by president Washington, but conside- 
 rations ot a private nature induced him to de- 
 chne the honour. In November 1796 he was 
 again elected governor of Virginia, but resigned 
 the office soon iiftcr his appointment. 
 
 In the year 1799 Mr. Henry was appointed 
 by president Adams envoy to France with 
 Messrs. Ellsworth and Murray. In reply to the 
 letter of the secretary of state, he mentions a 
 severe indisposition and his advanced age and 
 weakness as a reason for declining the appoint- 
 ment. This letter was dated the 16th of April 
 1799, at Redhill in Charlotte county, where he 
 died on the 6th of June following.* 
 
 The name of Jefferson also claims a distin- 
 guished place in the annals of our country. Early 
 in the revolution he commenced that path of 
 
 * American Biography. Burk's Virginia. Marshall's 
 Washington, 6cc. 
 
180 
 
 fame which led to the highest honours his coun- 
 try could bestow. His essay on the rights of 
 British America, written early in the year 1774, 
 showed no less depth of research than sound- 
 ness of judgment. The rights of the colonies 
 were investigated with clearness, and their 
 wrongs portrayed with just severity. This work 
 was designed as a draft of a petition to the king, 
 which Mr. Jefferson, as a member of the con- 
 vention of 1774, designed to propose to the 
 house. Having been stopped on his way by 
 sickness, he sent it to the speaker, who laid it 
 on the tal)le for the perusal of the members. It 
 was considered as too strong for the times, and 
 was on that account not adopted by the house, 
 but the approbation of the members may be 
 inferred from their unanimous subscription for 
 its publication. 
 
 About the same time was published an essay 
 entitled " Considerations on the present state of 
 Virginia examined." This critique was written 
 by Robert Carter Nicholas, and was rendered 
 interesting by the importance of the subject and 
 tlie spirit with which it was written. 
 
181 
 
 In the other colonies also, many valuable 
 essays were published upon the subject of our 
 differences with the mother country. Of these 
 the following were deservedly esteemed for their 
 force and ingenuity. " Observations on the Bos- 
 ton port bill," by Josiah Quincy: " Considera- 
 tions on the nature and extent of the authority 
 of the British parliament," by James Wilson: 
 " Strictures on a Pamphlet entitled ' A friendly 
 address to all reasonable Americans," by gene- 
 ral Charles Lee* Sec. &c. 
 
 Ahhough the monuments of genius, erected 
 in the period of which we speak, are chiefly con- 
 fined to the statesman and politician, yet the 
 silent walks of philosophy were not untrod, nor 
 were the fields of science left unexplored by 
 our ancestors. The names of Franklin and Rit- 
 tenhouse, the one a native of Boston, the other 
 of Germantown, have cast a lustre around the 
 
 * The above essays are in possession of Mr. Jeffer- 
 son, whose care has collected and preserved from obli- 
 vion many valuable papers and much useful information. 
 
 Q 
 
142 
 
 American name. Bartram,^^- the American na- 
 turalist, was pronounced by Linna2us, the 
 greatest natural botanist in the world. 
 
 John Banister, of Virginia, was not less re- 
 markable for his botanical researches, though less 
 celebrated in the literary world. He settled in the 
 colony towards the close of the 17th century, 
 and devoted his time to the study of plants, 
 with that success that attends the assiduous 
 efforts of genius. He collected and described a 
 variety of rare species of plants, but unfortu- 
 nately in one of his excursions he fell from a 
 rock and was killed. His botanical friends have 
 honoured his memory by calling a plant of the 
 decandrous class, Banisteria. 
 
 But Virginia can boast of another naturalist 
 still more distinguished for his talents and re- 
 search. John Clayton was the son of an emi- 
 nent lawyer, who was for some time attorney 
 general of Virginia. At an early age he was 
 placed in the office of Peter Beverley, clerk for 
 Gloucester county, and as successor to that 
 
 Note IV. Appendix. 
 
183 
 
 gentleman retained the office upwards of fifty 
 years. He died at the age of eighty-eight, and 
 till his last year retained the vigour of his con- 
 stitution, and the strength and acuteness of his 
 understanding. His residence was about twenty 
 miles from Williamsburg, but he visited most 
 of the setdcd parts of Virginia, and even tra- 
 versed the country lying along the eastern side 
 of the Blue Ridge, in quest of botanical know- 
 ledge. His descriptions of plants were so re- 
 markable for their accuracy and plainness, that 
 the species he described was seldom left doubt- 
 ful. Clayton was a member of several learned 
 societies of Europe, and a correspondent of 
 several eminent naturalists, amongst whom were 
 Gronovius and Linnaeus. He left at his death 
 two volumes of manuscripts prepared for the 
 press, and also a Hortus Siccus of folio size, 
 with marginal notes and directions to the en- 
 graver. These works perished in the wreck of 
 the revolution; but several of his essays, among 
 which is an account of the medicinal plants of 
 Virginia, were preserved from a similar fote by 
 a place in the philosophical transactions. His 
 
184 
 
 Flora Virginiaca was alsc published in Europe, 
 by professor Gronovius, and served to give 
 him a name amongst the learned of his day. It 
 is frequently referred to by Linnaeus and other 
 naturalists of the age.* 
 
 If we pass from the department of natural t© 
 that of civil history, we find ourselves trans- 
 planted to a dreary waste, where but few flowers 
 attract our view. The early histories of Virginia 
 are remarkable for dryness of detail and clum- 
 siness of composition. In the year 1705, R. 
 Beverly, a native of Virginia, published a his- 
 tory of the colony from its first establishment 
 till his own time. This work embraced also the 
 natural productions, Eind the manners and cus- 
 toms of the natives. But the conciseness of its 
 
 * Le pere du col. Banister de Virginie avoit precede 
 M. Bertram et ne lui etoit point inferieur; mais aucun 
 d'eux n'est a comparer au fameux docteur Clayton mort 
 peu avant la revolution. II a considerablement augment^ 
 le dictionaire de botanique, et est connu dans les ecoles 
 d' Europe sous le nom de Linnee Virginien 
 
 Recher. Hist, et polit. sur les Etats Unis. 
 
185 
 
 narration, and the frigidness of its style, render 
 it little instructive and less amusing to the reader. 
 In the year 1747, the reverend William Stith, 
 president of William and Mary college, pub- 
 lished a history of Virginia in one octavo 
 volume. This work, which details the affairs 
 of the colony till the year 1624, contains in an 
 appendix, a collection of charters relating to the 
 period comprised in the volume. The author, 
 besides the materials of Smith* and Beverly, 
 derived much information from the manuscripts 
 of his uncle sir John Randolph, and also from 
 the records of the London company, which 
 were in the hands of William Byrd, president 
 of the council. Mr. Stith, although not deficient 
 in classical learning, was entirely destitute of 
 taste as a writer. His history is remarkable for 
 
 * Captain John Smith published his sixth voyage to 
 Virginia in 1606. — His first voyage to New England, 
 1614. — His second to New England, 1615. — Description 
 of New England, 1617. — The general history of Vir- 
 ginia, New England and the Somer islands, in six books 
 folio, 1627. — His travels and adventures, 1630, 
 Q2 
 
156 
 
 prolixity and minuteness of narration, but his 
 faithfulness as a historian I believe has never 
 been impeached. 
 
 Agreeably to the arrangements made in the 
 late convention, the general assembly met at 
 the capitol in Williamsburg on the first Mon- 
 day in October 1776. In conformity with the 
 new constitution, the legislature of Virginia 
 now consisted of two branches, called the house 
 of delegates and the senate. The honourable 
 Edmund Pendleton was chosen speaker of the 
 former body, and Archibald Carey, Esquire, 
 of the senate or upper house. 
 
 The attention of the legislature was early 
 called to the state of the colony, and an increase 
 of the military force was determined on. While 
 the affairs of the commonwealth were thus pro- 
 gressing towards domestic security and order, 
 and civil liberty seemed to be placed on the 
 solid base of equal rights and free representa- 
 tion, our sea-board and western borders were 
 exposed to the ravages of war. On the frontiers, 
 the Indians committed many depredations, and 
 hitherto no important stand had been made 
 
187 
 
 against them, since the expedition under Col. 
 Lewis to the Ohio. It was at length determined 
 by the assembly to raise a force sufficient to 
 repel if not to vanquish the hostile tribes. The 
 command of this force, which consisted of 
 about two hundred men, was entrusted to colo- 
 nel William Christian, an able and enterprising 
 officer. The expedition was designed princi- 
 pally against the Cherokee and Creek nations, 
 who to the number of about seven hundred had 
 encamped in Carter's valley, on the waters of 
 Holston, from whence they sent out numerous 
 detachments. Some of their parties penetrated 
 over the North Mountain into the country lying 
 along the western foot of the Blue Ridge, car- 
 rying terror and devastation wherever they went. 
 On the approach of colonel Christian towards 
 their settlements, they retreated with precipi- 
 tancy, after making some show of disputing his 
 passage over Broad river. 
 
 On the 18th of October colonel Christian 
 passed the Tennessee river, and soon after 
 reached the Cherokee towns, which he was 
 prevented from destroying by timely overtures 
 
188 
 
 of peace from the enemy. Four of their chiefs 
 arrived at his camp with proposals which were 
 accepted by the commander. The principal ar- 
 ticles of the treaty consisted in the restoration 
 of all prisoners and property detained by the 
 savages, and the reference of all matters of dis- 
 pute to the state of Virginia, in conjunction 
 with a deputation from their own tribes. For 
 the performance of these conditions fifteen hos- 
 tages were given, such as were required by 
 colonel Christian, to be exchanged yearly for 
 such others as might be required by the state. 
 Before his return, however, he destroyed three 
 or four towns which were under the influence 
 of chiefs who refused to accede to the offers of 
 peace, and some of whom had been guilty of 
 burning their prisoners.* 
 
 The assembly, during their session this fall, 
 passed an act for the appointment of a committee 
 to revise the laws of the commonwealth, and 
 prepare a code suited to the new state of affairs. 
 This important trust was confided to hands per- 
 
 * Virginia Gazette. 
 
189 
 
 fcctly competent to the task. The committee 
 consisted of the following illustrious characters: 
 Thomas Jefferson, Edmund Pendleton, George 
 Wythe, George Mason, and Thomas Ludvvell 
 Lee, Esquires. The execution of the work how- 
 ever devolved on the three first named gentle- 
 men, who afterwards were honoured with the 
 first ix)sts of dignity and importance their coun- 
 try could bestow. 
 
 While these affairs were transacting in Vir- 
 ginia, the war was progressing with various 
 success in the other colonies. The Americans, 
 after being defeated on Long Island, by general 
 Howe, had abandoned the place. The evacua- 
 tion of New York by the continental troops 
 followed soon after, and the expedition against 
 Canada was marked by the fall of general Mont- 
 gomery and the retreat of his army from the 
 walls of Quebec. 
 
 The skill and energy of the commander in 
 chief was at this time far superior to his means. 
 On his retreat towards New Jersey his force 
 consisted of only about three thousand five 
 hundred men. With this small army he was 
 
190 
 
 closely pursued by lord Cornwallis, who arrived 
 in Newark the very morning (November 28ih) 
 that Washington left it. The British general 
 hoped to disperse the American army before 
 it should cross the Delaware. In this however 
 he was disappointed. Washington effected the 
 passage of the Delaware without being com- 
 pelled to fight, and saved by his superior skill 
 and caution the army on which his country's 
 hope seemed to rest. The prospects were in- 
 deed gloomy at this time, and in no other cause 
 than that of liberty could success have been 
 reasonably calculated upon. The fortitude of 
 Washington, however, never forsook him, nor 
 would his zeal in the cause of his country 
 allow him to be long inactive. On the 25th of 
 December he recrossed the Delaware, and the 
 splendid achievements of Trenton and Princeton 
 began to re-animate his distressed and dejected 
 followers. 
 
 The bold resistance of the colonics called for 
 greater force, or more skilful exertions on the 
 part of the invaders. The war in tlie northern 
 department had hitherto yielded but little glory 
 
191 
 
 to the British commanders. The approach of 
 general Burgoyne, an able and accomplished of- 
 ficer, from Canada, with a force of about seven 
 thousand men, seemed to threaten the downfal 
 of our power in that quarter. His success, how- 
 ever, was soon arrested by general Gates, at the 
 head of an army superior in numbers, and not 
 inferior in bravery to the opposing force. 
 
 The capture of Burgo}ne spread a general 
 joy throughout the colonies, and inspired their 
 councils and their armies \\ ith new vigour in 
 the yet doubtful contest. Meanwhile, Washing- 
 ton was watching in anxious suspense the move- 
 ments of sir William Ho^ve, who had sailed from 
 New York with a force of eighteen thousand 
 men, and a powerful fleet under the command 
 of his brother, lord Howe. Fearing it should be 
 a scheme to draw him to the south, and leave 
 the Hudson with a force not sufficient to de- 
 fend the important post of West Point, Wash- 
 ington proceeded no farther than Bucks county, 
 in Penns) Ivania, where he waited the destina- 
 tion of the enemy. 
 
 Sir William entering the Chesapeake, sailed 
 
192 
 
 up the bay and landed his army in Cecil county, 
 Maryland, on the eastern shore of the bay. 
 Washington discovering his movements, took 
 a position on the Brandywine, where he waited 
 the approach of his foe. A severe conflict en- 
 sued which terminated in the defeat of the 
 Americans. In this engagement the Virginia 
 brigades, under Wayne and Weedon, distin- 
 guished themselves.* 
 
 This batde was soon after followed by ano- 
 ther at Germantown, in which the enemy were 
 again victorious. The remissness, however, of 
 sir William Howe, in improving his victories, 
 rendered them of little importance to his cause. 
 The destruction of a few hundred men could 
 be of no serious consequence in the conquest 
 ofa country as extensive and populous as the 
 United Colonies. Nothing but the utmost vi- 
 gour in following up, as well as wisdom in 
 planning his conquests, could render their ef- 
 fects permanent, or ensure success to the in- 
 vaders. The case was very different with respect 
 
 * Marshall's Washington, &c. &c. 
 
193 
 
 to America. Her armies were improving in dis- 
 cipline, and every defeat taught her better how 
 to meet the enemy in the next contest. She had 
 already waded too far in blood to think of re- 
 turning without the prize of victory in her 
 hands. 
 
 The arrival of count D'Estaing, with a for- 
 midable fleet, in aid of the American cause, 
 contributed to its success, and served to in- 
 crease the embarrassments of the British. 
 
 On the accession of sir Henry Clinton to the 
 chief command, the war was carried on with 
 renewed vigour, but the plan of conquest w^as 
 in some measure changed. The reduction of 
 the southern colonies presented an object of 
 less difliculty, but not of less value to Bri- 
 tain than the northern. An expedition against 
 Georgia, under the command of lieutenant colo- 
 nel Campbell, threatened the subjection of that 
 state, while sir Henry himself was preparing to 
 march in person to South Carolina. 
 
 R 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 1 HE intermediate situation of Virginia had 
 saved her interior in some measure from the 
 ravages of invasion. The storm of M'ar had 
 hitherto spent its force on the more northern 
 colonies, and was now beginning to burst with 
 all its horrors upon the south, while our popu- 
 lous state was left to throw its aid in whatever 
 quarter it was required. It readily occurred to 
 sir Henry Clinton, that the resistance of the 
 southern states would depend much upon the 
 assistance they should receive from Virginia. 
 To humble the pride, and destroy the resources 
 of this province, therefore became an object 
 ^vorth the attention of the commander in chief. 
 An expedition threatening the overthrow of re- 
 sistance in this quarter, was accordingly pro- 
 jected, and early in May 1779 the hostile 
 squadron, conducted by sir George Collier, 
 anchored in Hampton Roads. The army con- 
 
195 
 
 sistcd of about two thousand land forces and 
 five hundred marines; the whole comiiriirinded 
 by brigadier-general Matthews, an able and ex- 
 perienced officer. 
 
 The defenceless situation of Portsmouth and 
 Norfolk rendered those places an easy conquest. 
 The garrison of Fort Nelson, which consisted 
 of about one hundred and fifty men, under the 
 command of major Matthews, abandoned their 
 post under cover of the night, and retired to 
 the borders of the Dismal Swamp. On the 11th 
 of May the British general took possession of 
 Portsmouth, where he established his head- 
 quarters, and from whence he detached troops 
 to Norfolk and Gosport. In these places he de- 
 stroyed abundance of naval and military stores 
 of much importance to the state. 
 
 The army continued but a short time on our 
 shores, though long enough to destroy upwards 
 of a hundred vessels, and a great quantity of 
 public and private property. They burnt the 
 town of Suftblk,* and many private houses 
 
 » Gordon's Am. War. — Marshall's Washington. — 
 Lee's Memoirs, See. 
 
196 
 
 ^liared the same fate. This destruction of pri- 
 vate property, which ought to be held sacred 
 by civilized nations at war, called for die inter- 
 ference of the assembly. A resolve was passed 
 in that body, requiring the governor to remon- 
 strate against this cruel mode of carrying on 
 war. 
 
 The army, embarking on board their ships, 
 returned to New York, carrying with them their 
 prizes and their plunder. 
 
 The fall of Charleston, and the success of the 
 British arms in the south, under lord Cornwal- 
 lis, portended much evil to Virginia. Her re- 
 duction was determined on by the commander 
 in chief, and a plan apparently big with success 
 was laid for that purpose. 
 
 As soon as Clinton was informed of the de- 
 feat of the southern army by lord Cornwallis, 
 he despatched brigadier-general Leslie, with a 
 force of about three thousand men, against our 
 state. The co-operation of this detachment with 
 the army under Cornwallis, who was expected 
 to enter Virginia on the south, appeared fully 
 adequate to the object in view. 
 
197 
 
 Leslie arrived in the Chesapeake bay, in Oc- 
 tober 1780, and landing at Portsmouth, took 
 possession of such vessels and other property as 
 could be found on the coast. The defeat of 
 major Ferguson, "who had been ordered to ma- 
 noeuvre through the northern parts of South 
 Carolina, and was expected to join Cornwallis 
 at Charlotte, caused the latter to alter his plans, 
 and prevented his junction with Leslie.* 
 
 Some time elapsed before Leslie could obtain 
 information of the situation of Cornwallis, and 
 the circumstances that occurred to prevent the 
 important junction with that officer. Meanwhile 
 the governor of Virginia was earnestly employ- 
 ed in preparing to oppose the invaders. Thomas 
 Jefferson, successor of Patrick Henry, was then 
 governor of the state, and the assembly, com- 
 posed of men selected for their wisdom and 
 patriotism, was in session. 
 
 At this crisis, general Greene, who had been 
 appointed to succeed Gates in the command of 
 
 Lee's Memoirs of the War in the Southern Colonies, 
 Vol. II. 
 
 R2 
 
198 
 
 the southern army, arrived in Richmond, on 
 his way to the south. As much reliance had 
 been placed on the supplies to be received from 
 Virginia, Greene was not a litde embarrassed 
 to find her in such a weak and exposed situa- 
 tion. After making such arrangements as he 
 deemed necessary, he continued his journey to 
 the south, leaving baron Steuben* to direct the 
 defence of the state. General Gates had removed 
 his head-quarters to Charlotte, and there he sur- 
 rended into the hands of Greene the command 
 of the southern army. 
 
 In the mean time general Leslie, leaving the 
 shores of Virginia, sailed for Charleston, \\ here 
 he found orders requiring him to repair with 
 his army to Camden. On the 19th of Decem- 
 ber he began his march with about fifteen hun- 
 dred men, to efiect a junction with the army 
 under Cornwallis. This he accomplished with- 
 out difficulty. On the 1 1th of January Cornwal- 
 lis advanced towards North Carolina. Wishing 
 to disperse the force under general Morgan, 
 
 * Note V. Appendix, 
 
199 
 
 who had been manoeuvring in tlie western parts 
 of the state, he despatched colonel Tarleton in 
 pursuit of him. The spkndid victory of the 
 Cow pens checked the ardour of the pursuers 
 and revived the drooping spirits of the Araeri- 
 cans. The southern army was, however, unable 
 to face their enemy in the field, and the move- 
 ments of Cornw'allis indicating a design to bring 
 Greene to action, compelled the latter to retreat 
 towards Virginia. This he safely accomplished, 
 notwithstanding the vigorous pursuit of the Bri- 
 tish general, who had destroyed his baggage in 
 order to eft'ect his movements with more cele- 
 rity. The van of the British army arrived just 
 after the rear of the American had passed the 
 Dan, which forms the dividing line between the 
 two states. The next day general Greene wrote 
 to Mr. Jefferson, governor of Virginia, and to 
 baron Steuben, giving information of his situa- 
 tion and requesting reinforcements. The reader 
 will find in general Lee's " Memoirs of the 
 Southern Campaigns," an interesting and elo- 
 quent account of the retreat of Greene to the 
 
200 
 borders of Virginia, as well as of the southern 
 war in general. 
 
 Early in December 1780, governor Jefferson 
 received a letter from general Washington, in- 
 forming him that preparations were making by 
 the enemy at New York, for an expedition to 
 the south, which was probably designed against 
 Virginia.* 
 
 On the 30th, brigadier-general Arnold, with 
 near fifty sail of vessels arrived in the Chesa- 
 peake, and embarking in lighter vessels pro- 
 ceeded up James river. On receiving news of 
 this approaching squadron, Mr. Jefferson des- 
 patched general Nelson to collect and arrange a 
 force with as much haste as possible, while 
 baron Steuben with about two hundred men 
 marched to Petersburg. On the 4th of January 
 Arnold landed his force, consisting of about 
 nine hundred men, at Westover, the seat of 
 Mr. Byrd, and marched to Richmond without 
 opposition. Thus was the metropolis of Virginia 
 exposed to the insult and depredation of a trai- 
 
 * Lee's Mem. South. Camp. Vol. IL 
 
201 
 
 tor; her stores and archives plundered, and her 
 governor compelled to seek security by imme- 
 diate flight. 
 
 From Richmond lieutenant colonel Simcoe 
 was despatched to Westham, where he des- 
 troyed the only cannon foundery in the state. 
 At this place, they also destroyed the military 
 stores, which had, on the alarm caused by Ar- 
 nold's approach, been removed from Richmond. 
 After two days spent in pilhiging public and 
 private property, general Arnold returned to 
 Westover, where on the lOlh he re-embarked 
 his men and descended the river. On his way 
 he landed detachments at Mackay's mill and at 
 Smithfield, where they destroyed some public 
 stores; and on the 20th arrived at Portsmouth. 
 
 Major general Steuben, assisted by general 
 Nelson, having collected a considerable force, 
 marched in pursuit of Arnold. But the move- 
 ments of the latter were too rapid to be inter- 
 rupted by the tardy advances of undisciplined 
 militia. They were, however, able to prevent 
 similar incursions, and by remaining in the 
 
202 
 
 vicinity of Portsmouth, they confined the ene- 
 my to their entrenchments. 
 
 On hearing of the invasion of Virginia by the 
 traitor Arnold, and his encampment at Ports- 
 mouth, general Washington formed a plan to 
 cut off his retreat. He intimated to count Ro- 
 chambeau and admiral D'Estouches, the im- 
 portance of an immediate movement of the 
 French fleet to the Chesapeake, and at the 
 same time detached the marquis De la Fayette 
 with twelve hundred men to Virginia. The 
 French admiral, not entering fully into the 
 views of Washington, detached only a small 
 part of his squadron, who from their inability 
 to effect the desired purpose, returned to the 
 fleet at Rhode Island. 
 
 The situation of Arnold had induced sir H. 
 Clinton to detach to his aid major-general Phil- 
 lips, to whom the command of the British forces 
 in Virginia was committed. The united detach- 
 ments under Arnold and Phillips formed a body 
 of about three thousand five hundred men. Be- 
 ing able to act on the offensive, general Phillips 
 left one thousand men in Portsmouth, and pro- 
 
203 
 
 ceeded with the remainder up James river, for 
 the purpose of completing the destruction of 
 the internal strength and resources of the state. 
 Opposite to Williamsburg he landed, and from 
 thence sent to Yorktown a detachment, who 
 destroyed the naval stores in that place. Re-em- 
 barking they ascended the river to City Point, 
 where James river receives the waters of the 
 Appamattox. At this place Phillips landed and 
 directed his march to Petersburg, which stands 
 on the bank of the last mentioned stream, about 
 twelve miles from its junction with the former. 
 Virginia was at this time in a defenceless 
 situation; all the regular force of the state was 
 under Greene in South Carolina, and her whole 
 reliance was upon militia, of whom about two 
 thousand were now in the field. This force, half 
 of which was stationed on each side of James 
 river, was under the command of baron Steu- 
 ben and general Nelson. Steuben directed the 
 southern division, on whom the defence of Pe- 
 tersburg devolved, and from which place he 
 was compelled to retreat by the superior force 
 of Phillips. During his stay in Petersburg, 
 
204 
 
 general Phillips destroyed the warehouses, and 
 spread terror and devastation, the constant atten- 
 dants of British invasion, through the town. 
 Leaving Petersburg, he crossed the Appamat- 
 tox into Chesterfield, and detaching Arnold to 
 Osborne's to destroy the tobacco at that place, 
 he proceeded himself to Chesterfield court- 
 house, where he destroyed the barracks and 
 stores which had been formed there for the 
 accommodation of recruits designed for the 
 southern army. The two divisions of the army 
 uniting again, marched into Manchester, where 
 was renewed the scene of pillage and devasta- 
 tion transacted in Petersburg and Chesterfield.* 
 The fortunate arrival of the marquis De la Fay- 
 ette at Richmond, with a body of regular troops, 
 saved the metropolis from a similar fate. From 
 Manchester, general Phillips proceeded down 
 the river to Bermuda hundred, opposite City 
 Point, where his fleet remained during his in- 
 cursion. Here he re-embarked his troops, and 
 fell down the river, while the marquis followed 
 
 * Marshall's Washington. Lee's Memoirs, Sec. 8cc. 
 
205 
 
 on the north side to watch his movements. He 
 soon learned that PhilHps, instead of returning 
 to Portsmouth, had suddenly re-landed his army 
 on the south side of the river, one division at 
 Brandon and the other at City Point, and was on 
 his march to Petersburg. It immediately occur- 
 red to the marquis, that a junction with Corn- 
 wallis, who was then approaching Virginia, was 
 the object which Phillips had in view, and to 
 prevent which he determined to throw himself 
 by forced marches into Petersburg before the 
 arrival of that general. Phillips however reached 
 that place first, and La Fayette halting, re- 
 crossed die river and posted himself a few miles 
 below Richmond. The death of general Phil- 
 lips, soon after his arrival in Petersburg, de- 
 volved the command of the army again on gene- 
 ral Arnold. 
 
 Cornwallis was now on his way to Peters- 
 burg, and having crossed the Roanoke he de- 
 tached colonel Tarleton to secure the fords of 
 tlie Meherrin, while colonel Simcoe with the 
 rangers was sent for the same purpose to the 
 Nottoway. The enemy effected his passage over 
 S 
 
206 
 
 these rivers without interruption, and on the 
 20th of May entered Petersburg. 
 
 In addition to this united force, which seem- 
 ed fully sufficient to crush every germ of oppo- 
 sition in Virginia, general Leslie had again 
 made his appearance on the coast, with a rein- 
 forcement of two regiments and two battalions, 
 part of which was stationed in Portsmouth un- 
 der the command of that officer. The marquis 
 De la Fayette continued near Richmond with a 
 force of about four thousand men, nearly three- 
 fourths of whom were militia. 
 
 Steuben, who was on the south side of James 
 river, proceeding with about six hundred levies 
 to reinforce general Greene, was suddenly re- 
 called and ordered to take a position at the 
 Point of Fork, where were deposited some mili- 
 tary stores. General Weedon was requested to 
 collect a force near Fredericksburg, for the pur- 
 pose of protecting an important manufactory of 
 arms at Falmouth. In addition to these different 
 forces, general Wayne* was on his way to Vir- 
 
 * Note VI. Appendix. 
 
207 
 
 ginia, Mith a detachment from the northern army 
 of about nine hundred men. The strength of the 
 enemy was however too great for any force Vir- 
 ginia could bring into the field, and her fate, as 
 far as superior numbers and discipline could in- 
 fluence it, seemed now to be decided. 
 
 Cornwallis, after resting four days in Peters- 
 burg, proceeded down the south side of Appa- 
 mattox and James river until he came opposite 
 Westover, where he determined to cross. La 
 Fayette, informed of the enemy's movement, 
 kit his encampment below Richmond and re- 
 treated behind the Chickahomony river, keep- 
 ing the direction tuvvaidb Fredericksburg. The 
 enemy pursued him across that stream, anxious 
 to bring him to battle before his junction with 
 Wayne. La Fayette however escaped the im- 
 pending blow, and hastening across the Pa- 
 munky and Mattapony, the confluence of whose 
 streams form York river, he endeavoured to 
 gain the road on \vhich Wayne was approach- 
 ing. The British commander, failing in his pro- 
 ject of bringing the marquis to battle, thought 
 proper to change his course, and determined 
 
208 
 
 to penetrate with his detachments the interior of 
 the state. Lieutenant colonel Simcoe was direct- 
 ed to attack baron Steuben at Point of Fork,* 
 and destroy the stores at that place; while co- 
 lonel Tarleton advanced to Charlottesville, where 
 the general assembly was then convened. 
 
 Simcoe succeeded in driving Steuben from 
 his post, and destroying the magazines under 
 his protection; while Tarleton pushed on to 
 Charlottesville, eager to add to his numerous 
 exploits the capture of a corps of republican 
 legislators. His approach however was disco- 
 vered by the assembly in time for the members 
 to make their escape. Mr. Jcftcrson, the gover- 
 nor, on hearing of their approach sought an 
 asylum in the wilds of the mountain adjacent to 
 his house. 
 
 After destroying some military stores, which 
 had been deposited in Charlottesville as a place 
 of safety, Tarleton proceeded down the Rivan- 
 nah, towards the Point of Fork, near to which 
 Cornwallis had arrived with the main body of 
 
 * A point of land formed by the junction of the Rivan- 
 nah and Fluvannah rivers. 
 
209 
 
 the army. Uniting with his army the different 
 detachments, the British commander marched 
 to Richmond, which he entered on the 16th of 
 June. Meanwhile La Fayette had formed a junc- 
 tion with Wayne, and was watching with a 
 cautious eye the movements of the foe. 
 
 After halting a few days in Richmond, Corn- 
 waUis resumed his march towards the coast, and 
 on the 25th of the month arrived in Williams- 
 burg, while the marquis, with a force of between 
 four and five thousand men, followed close on 
 his rear. From that place the British commander 
 detached colonel Simcoe to the Chickahomony, 
 for the purjjose of destroying some boats and 
 stores in that river. Colonel Butler, with a de- 
 tachment from the American camp, was imme- 
 diately sent against this party, and a severe con- 
 flict ensued in which each side claimed the 
 victory. 
 
 After remaining about a week in Williams- 
 burg the British commander prepared to cross 
 the river, and selected James city island as the 
 most eligible place to eftect a passage. In the 
 mean time La Fayette and the intrepid general 
 S2 
 
;210 
 
 Wayne pressed close on his rear, with a view to 
 strike as soon as the enemy should be weakened 
 by the van having crossed the river. Under a 
 mistaken behef that the separation of the ene- 
 my's force had actually taken place, an attack 
 was made on the whole strength of the British 
 army dravAn up in order of battle. The approach 
 of night saved the American army, who effect- 
 ed a retreat after losing, in killed, w ounded and 
 prisoners, upwards of a hundred men. 
 
 From a belief that a grand attack was intend- 
 ed on New York by the combined army, sir H. 
 Clinton had ordered Cornwallis to take a posi- 
 tion near Portsmouth or Williamsburg, on tide 
 water, with a view to facilitate the transportation 
 of his forces to New York, or such aid as might 
 be deemed necessary. In obedience to this com- 
 mand, Cornwallis selected York and Gloucester 
 as the most eligible situation, where he imme- 
 diately concentrated his army. The bold and 
 discerning mind of Washington soon formed a 
 plan to strike his lordship while encamped at 
 York — a plan no less wisely devised than .suc- 
 cessfully executed. The arrival of the French 
 
211 
 
 fleet In the Chesapeake at this juncture contri- 
 buted essentially to the completion of his de- 
 signs. Count De Grasse, on obtaining intelli- 
 gence from La Fayette of the situation of the 
 enemy, immediately detached four ships of the 
 line to block up York river. Washington, fear- 
 ful that Cornwallis might attempt to retreat to 
 die south, sent orders to La Fayette to take 
 cftecti\e measures to prevent his escape; and 
 also wrote to Mr. Jefferson, who was still go- 
 vernor of Virginia, urging him to yield every 
 aid which his situation could afford, and which 
 ihe importance of the object required. 
 
 On the 14th of September general Washing- 
 ton arrived in Williamsburg, which was now 
 the head- quarters of La Fa} ette, and proceed- 
 ing to Hampton, the plan of siege was concert- 
 ed w ith the count De Grasse. 
 
 About the 25th of the month the troops from 
 die north arrived and formed a junction with 
 those under De la Fayette. The v\'hole regular 
 force thus combined, consisted of about twelve 
 thousand men. In addition to these there was a 
 
212 
 
 body of Virginia militia under the command of 
 the brave and patriotic general Nelson. 
 
 The trenches were opened by the combined 
 forces on the 6th of October, at the distance of 
 six hundred yards from the enemy's works. On 
 the 19th the posts of York and Gloucester were 
 surrendered to the combined forces of America 
 and France. 
 
 The fall of Cornwallis laid prostrate the hopes 
 of the British ministry, and cheered the war- 
 worn soldier with the prospect of a speedy 
 peace. 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 CONSISTING CHIEFLY OF 
 
 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 Distinguished Characters 
 
 THAT OCCUR IN THE HISTORY OF VIRGINIA 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 No. I. 
 
 Nathaniel bacon, an insurgent in Vir. 
 ginia, was educated at the inns of court in Eng- 
 land, and after his arrival in this country was 
 chosen a member of council. He was a young 
 man of fine accomplishments, of an interesting 
 countenance, and of impressive eloquence. The 
 trade with the Indians in 1676 being somewhat 
 interrupted, the people complained, and were 
 disposed to throw the blame on the govern- 
 ment. These murmurings were echoed by Ba- 
 con, and while he complimented the people for 
 their discernment of the causes of their troubles, 
 he suggested that better measures might be 
 adopted, and that he could open again rhc ave- 
 nues of trade. He proposed to lead them against 
 
216 
 
 the Indians. The ears of the multitude were 
 soothed by his promises and delighted with his 
 oratory, and they unanimously elected him their 
 general, American Biography. 
 
 No. II. 
 Edmund Andros, governor of New Eng- 
 land, had some command in New York in 1672, 
 and in 1674 was appointed governor of that 
 province. He continued in this office until 1682, 
 exhibiting in his government but little of that 
 tyrannical disposition which he afterwards dis- 
 played. He arrived at Boston, December 20th 
 1686, with a commission from king James for 
 the government of New England. He made 
 high professions of regard to the public good, 
 directed the judges to administer justice accord- 
 ing to the custom of the place, ordered the 
 established rules with respect to taxes and rates 
 to be observed, and declared that all the colonial 
 laws, not inconsistent with his commission, 
 should remain in full force. By these profes- 
 sions he calmed the apprehensions which had 
 
217 
 
 agitated the minds of many; but it was not long 
 before the monster stood forth in his proper 
 shape. 
 
 Andros' administration was most oppressive 
 and tyrannicah The press was restrained, exor- 
 bitant taxes were levied, and the congregational 
 ministers were threatened to be deprived of their 
 support for nonconformity. Sir Edmund, know- 
 ing that his royal master was making great pro- 
 gress towards despotism in England, was very 
 wilHng to keep equal pace in his less important 
 government. It was pretended, that all titles to 
 land were destroyed, and the farmers were 
 ol^liged to take new patents for which they 
 piiid large fees. He prohibited marriage, except 
 the parties entered into bonds with sureties, to 
 be forfeited in case there should afterwards 
 appear to have been any lawful impediment. 
 There was at this time but one episcopal cler- 
 gyman in the country; but sir Edmund indulged 
 the hope of receiving a supply; and he wrote to 
 the bishop of London, intimating for the en- 
 couragement of those who might be persuaded 
 to come to this country, that in future no mar- 
 T 
 
218 
 
 riage should be dee^med lawful, unless celebrated 
 by ministers of the church of England. With 
 four or five of his council he laid what taxes he 
 thought proper. The fees of office were raised 
 to a most exorbitant height. The whole of his 
 proceedings were such as to show that he was 
 perfectly disposed to follow all the capricious 
 and arbitrary measures of his weak and bigoted 
 master, king James II. At length the spirit of 
 the people could no longer brook submission. 
 Having sought in the wilds of America the se- 
 cure enjoyment of that civil and religious libert}^, 
 of which they had been unjustly deprived in 
 England, they were not disposed to see their 
 dearest rights wrested from them without a 
 struggle to retain them. Animated with the 
 love of liberty, they were also resolute and 
 courageous in its defence. They had for several 
 years suffered the impositions of a tyrannical 
 administration, and the disaffection and indigna- 
 tion which had been gathering during this pe- 
 riod, were blown into a flame by the report of 
 an intended massacre by the governor's guards. 
 On the morning of the 18th of April, 1689, the 
 
219 
 
 inhabitants of Boston took up arms, the people 
 poured in from the country, and the governor, 
 with such of the council as had been most ac- 
 tive, and other obnoxious persons, about fifty 
 in number, were seized and confined. The old 
 magistrates were restored, and the next month 
 the joyful news of the revolution in England 
 reached this country, and quieted all apprehen- 
 sions for the consequences of what had been 
 done. After having been kept at the castle till 
 February follovving, sir Edmund was sent to 
 England for trial. The general court about the 
 same time despatched a committee of several 
 gentlemen to London, to substantiate the charges 
 against him. 
 
 The government was reduced to a most per- 
 plexing dilemma. If they condemned sir Ed- 
 mund's administration, the sentence might be 
 drawn into a precedent, and they might seem 
 to encourage insurrection and rebellion in future 
 periods, when circumstances did not render so 
 desperate an expedient necessary. On the other 
 hand, if they should approve of the administra- 
 tion of Andros and censure the proceedings of 
 the colonists, it would imply a reprobation ©f 
 
220 
 
 the very measure which had been pursued in 
 bringing about the revolution in England. It 
 was therefore considered prudent to dismiss the 
 business without coming to a final decision. 
 The people were accordingly left in the full en- 
 joyment of their freedom, and sir Edmund, in 
 public estimation guilty, escaped without cen- 
 sure. 
 
 In 1692 he was appointed governor of Vir- 
 ginia, as successor to lord Effingham. This 
 event was very surprising, and it was account- 
 ed for only on the supposition that the English 
 ministry was composed of tories. He is not, 
 however, represented as a bad governor in Vir- 
 ginia. He died in London, February 1714, at a 
 very advanced age. American Biography. 
 
 No. III. 
 A declaration of rights made by the repre- 
 sentatives of the good people of Virginia, as- 
 sembled in full and free convention; which rights 
 do pertain to them and their posterity, as the 
 basis and foundation of government. 
 
\' 221 
 
 I. That all men are by nature equally free 
 and independent, and have certain inherent 
 rights, of u'hich when they enter into a state of 
 society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive 
 or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoy- 
 ment of life and liberty, with the means of ac- 
 quiring and possessing property, and pursuing 
 happiness and safety. 
 
 II. That all jjower is vested in, and conse- 
 quently derived from, the people; that magis- 
 trates are their trustees and servants, and at all 
 times amenable to them. 
 
 III. That government is, or ought to be, in- 
 stituted for the common benefit, protection and 
 security of the people, nation, or community. 
 Of all the various modes and forms of govern- 
 ment, that is best which is capable of producing 
 the greatest degree of happiness and safety, 
 and is most eOectuiilly secured against the dan- 
 ger of mal-administration; and that when any 
 government shall be found inadequate or con- 
 trary to these purposes, a majority of the com- 
 munity hath an indubitable, unalienable and 
 indefeasible right to reform, alter, or abolish it, 
 
 T2 
 
222 
 
 in such manner as shall be judged most condu- 
 cive to the public weal. 
 
 IV. That no man or set of men are entitled 
 to exclusive or separate emoluments or privi- 
 leges from the community, but in consideration 
 of public services, which not being descendable, 
 neither ought the offices of magistrate, legislator 
 or judge be hereditary. 
 
 V. That the legislative and executive powers 
 of the state should be distinct from the judiciary; 
 and that the members of the two first may be 
 restrained from oppression, by feeling and parti- 
 cipating the burthens of the people, they should, 
 at fixed periods, be reduced to a private station, 
 return into that body from which they were 
 originally taken, and the vacancies be supplied 
 by frequent, certain, and regular elections, in 
 which all, or any part of the former members, 
 to be again eligible, or ineligible, as the laws 
 shall direct. 
 
 VI. That elections of members to serve as re- 
 presentatives of the people, in assembly, ought 
 to be free; and that all men, having sufficient evi- 
 dence of permanent common interest with, and 
 
223 
 
 attachment to, the community, have the right 
 of SLiftVage, and cannot be taxed or deprived of 
 their property for public uses, without their own 
 consent, or that of their representatives so elect- 
 ed, nor bound by any law to which they have 
 not, in like manner, assented, for the public 
 good. 
 
 VII. That all power of suspending laws, or 
 the execution of laws, by any authority, without 
 the consent of the representatives of the people, 
 is injurious to their rights, and ought not to be 
 exercised. 
 
 VIII. That in all capital or criminal prosecu- 
 tions, a man hath a right to demand the cause 
 and nature of his accusation, to be confronted 
 widi the accusers and witnesses, to call for evi- 
 dence in his favour, and to a speedy trial by an 
 impartial jury of his vicinage, without whose 
 unanimous consent he cannot be found guilty, 
 nor can he be compelled to give evidence 
 against himself; that no man be deprived of his 
 liberty except by the law of the land, or the 
 judgment of his peers. 
 
 IX. That excessive bail ought not to be re- 
 
• 224 
 
 quired, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel 
 and unusual punishments inflicted. 
 
 X. That general warrants, whereby an officer 
 or messenger may be commanded to search 
 suspected places without evidence of a fact 
 committed, or to seize any person or persons 
 not named, or whose offence is not particularly 
 described and supported by evidence, are griev- 
 ous and oppressive, and ought not to be granted. 
 
 XI. That in controversies respecting pro- 
 perty, and in suits between man and man, the 
 ancient trial by jury is preferable to any other, 
 and ought to be held sacred. 
 
 XII. That the freedom of the press is one of 
 the greatest bulwarks of liberty, and can never 
 be restrained bat by despotic governments. 
 
 XIII. That a well regulated mihtia, com- 
 posed of the body of the people, trained to 
 arms, is the proper, natural and safe defence of 
 a free state; that standing armies in time of 
 peace should be avoided, as dangerous to li- 
 berty; and that in all cases the military should 
 be under strict subordination to, and governed 
 by, the civil power. 
 
225 
 
 XIV. That the people have a right to uni- 
 form government; and therclbre, that no go- 
 vernment separate from, or independent of, the 
 government of Virginia, ought to be erected or 
 established within the limits thereof. 
 
 X\''. I'hat no free government, or the bles- 
 sing of libert}', can be preserved to any people 
 but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, 
 temperance, frugality, and virtue, and by fre- 
 quent recurrence to fundamental principles. 
 
 XVI. That religion, or the duty wc owe to 
 our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, 
 can be directed only by reason and conviction, 
 not by force and violence; and therefore all men 
 are equally entitled to the free exercise of reli- 
 gion, according to the dictates of conscience; 
 and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice 
 christian forbearance, love, and charity towards 
 each other. 
 
J26 
 
 CONSTITUTION OF VIRGINIA. 
 
 The Constitution, or Form of Government^ 
 agreed to and resolved upon by the Delegates 
 and Representatives of the several Counties 
 and Corporations of Virginia, in a General 
 Convention held at JFilliamsburg, on the 6th 
 of May, and continued by adjournments to the 
 5th of July, 1776. 
 
 WE, the delegates and representatives of the 
 good people of Virginia, do declare the future 
 form of government of Virginia, to be as fol- 
 loweth: — 
 
 The legislative, executive, and judiciary de- 
 partments, shall be separate and distinct, so that 
 neither exercise the powers properly belonging 
 to the other; nor shall any person exercise the 
 powers of more than one of them at the same 
 time, except that the justices of the county 
 courts shall be eligible to cither house of the 
 assembly. 
 
227 
 
 The legislative shall be formed of two dis- 
 tinct branches, who, together, shall be a com- 
 plete legislature. They shall meet once, or 
 oftener, every year, and shall be called, the 
 general assembly of Virginia. One of these shall 
 be called, the house of Delegates^ and consist 
 of two representatives, to be chosen for each 
 county, and for the district of West- Augusta, 
 annually, of such men as actually reside in, and 
 are freeholders of the same, or duly qualified, 
 according to law, and also of one delegate or 
 representative, to be chosen annually for the 
 city of Williamsburg, and one for the borough 
 of Norfolk, and a representative for each of 
 such other cities and boroughs, as may here- 
 after be allowed particular representation by the 
 legislature; but when any city or borough shall 
 so decrease, as that the number of persons, 
 having right of suffrage therein shall have been, 
 for the space of seven years successively, less 
 than half the number of voters in some one 
 county in Virginia, such city or borough 
 thenceforward shall cease to send a delegate or 
 representative to the assembly. 
 
223 
 
 The other shall be called the Senate, and 
 consist of twenty. four members, of whom thir- 
 teen shall constitute a house to proceed on busi- 
 ness; for whose election, the different counties 
 shall be divided into twenty-four districts; and 
 each county of the respective district at the time 
 of the election of its delegates, shall vote for 
 one senator, who is actually a resident and free- 
 holder within the district, or duly qualified ac- 
 cording to law, and is upwards of twenty -five 
 years of age; and the sheriffs of each county, 
 within five days at farthest, after the last county 
 election in the district, shall meet at some con- 
 venient place, and from the poll so taken in 
 their respective counties, return as a senator, 
 the man who shall have the greatest number of 
 votes in the wliole district. To keep up this as- 
 sembly by rotation, the districts shall be equally 
 divided into four classes, and numbered by lot. 
 At the end of one year, after die general elec- 
 tion, the six members, elected by the first divi- 
 sion, shall be displaced, and the vacancies 
 thereby occasioned, supplied from such classes 
 or division, by new election, in the manner 
 
22\) 
 
 .-rlbres:\id. This rotation shall be applied to each 
 tlivision, according to its number, and conti- 
 nued in due order annually. 
 
 The right of suffrage in the election of mem- 
 bers for both houses, shall remain as exercised 
 at present; and each house shall choose its own 
 speaker, appoint its own officers, settle its own 
 rules of proceeding, and direct writs of election, 
 for the supplying intermediate vacancies. 
 
 All laws shall originate in the house of dele- 
 gates, to be approved of or rejected by the sen- 
 ate, or to be amended, with consent of the house 
 of delegates; except money bills, which in no 
 instance shall be altered by the senate, but 
 A\ holly approved or rejected. 
 
 A governor, or chief magistrate, shall be 
 iiosen annually by joint ballot of both houses 
 (to be taken in each house respectively) depo- 
 sited in the conference-room; the boxes examin- 
 ed jointly by a committee of each house, and the 
 numbers severally reported to them, that the ap- 
 pointments may be entered (which shall be the 
 mode of taking the joint ballot of both houses in 
 all cases) who shall .not continue in that office 
 U 
 
230 
 
 longer than three years successively, nor be eligi- 
 ble until the expiration of four years after he shall 
 have been out of that office. An adequate, but 
 moderate salary, shall be settled on him, during 
 his continuance in office: and he shall, with the 
 advice of a council of state, exercise the execu- 
 tive powers of government, according to the 
 laws of this commonwealth; and shall not, un- 
 der any pretence, exercise any power or prero- 
 gative, by virtue of any law, statute, or custom 
 of England. But he shall, with the advice of the 
 council of state, have the power of granting re- 
 prieves or pardons, except where the prosecu- 
 tion shall have been carried on by the house of 
 delegates, or the law shall otherwise particularly 
 direct; in which cases, no reprieve or pardon 
 shall be granted, but by resolve of the house of 
 delegates. 
 
 Either house of the general assembly may 
 adjourn themselves respectively. The governor 
 shall not prorogue or adjourn the assembly dur- 
 ing their sitting, nor dissolve them at any time; 
 but he shall, if necessary, either by advice of 
 the council of state, or on application of a majo- 
 
231 
 
 rity of the liouse of delegates, call them before 
 the time to which they shall stand prorogued or 
 adjourned. 
 
 A privy council, or council of state, consist- 
 ing of eight members, shall be chosen by joint 
 ballot of both houses of assembly, either fronn 
 their own members, or the people at large, to 
 assist in the administration of government. They 
 shall annually choose, out of their own mem- 
 bers, a president, who, in case of death, inabi- 
 lity, or absence of the governor from the go- 
 vernment, shall act as lieutenant-governor. Four 
 members shall be sufficient to act, and their 
 advice imd proceedings shall be entered on re- 
 cord, and signed by the members present (to 
 any part w hereof, any member may enter his 
 dissent) to be laid before the general assembly, 
 when called for by them. This council may ap- 
 point their own clerk, who shall have a salary 
 settled by law, and take an oath of secrecy, in 
 such matters as he shall be directed by the 
 board to conceal. A sum of money, appropriat- 
 ed to that purpose, shall be divided annually 
 uuong the members, in proportion to their at- 
 
232 
 
 tendance; and they shall be incapable, during 
 their continuance in office, of sitting in either 
 iiouse of ass< n^bly. Two members shall be re- 
 moved, by joint ballot of both houses of assem- 
 bly, at the end of every three years, and be 
 ineligible for the three next years. These va- 
 cancies, as well as those occasioned by death or 
 incapacity, shall be supplied by new elections, 
 in the same manner. 
 
 The delegates for Virginia to the continental 
 *:ongress shall be chosen annually, orsuptrscded 
 in the mean lime, by joint ballot of both houses 
 of assembly. 
 
 The present militia officers shall be continued, 
 and vacancies supplied, by appointment of the 
 governor, with the advice of the privy council, 
 on recommendations from the respective county 
 courts; but the governor and council shall have 
 a power of suspending any officer, and ordering 
 u court martial, on complaint of misbehaviour 
 or inabilit}^, or to supply vacancies of officers, 
 happening when in actual service. 
 
 The governor may embody the militia with the 
 advice of the privy council; and when embodied 
 
233 
 
 shall alone have the direction of the militia, un- 
 der the laws of the country. 
 
 The two houses of assembly shall, by joint 
 ballot, appoint judges of the supreme court of 
 appeals, and general court judges in chancery, 
 judges of admiralty, secretary, and the attorney 
 general, to be commissioned by the governor, 
 and continue in office during good behaviour. 
 In case of death, incapacity, or resignation, the 
 governor, w ith the advice of the privy council, 
 shall appoint persons to succeed in office, to be 
 approved or displaced by both houses. These 
 officers shall have fixed and adequate salaries, 
 and, together with all others, holding lucrative 
 offices, and all ministers of the gospel, of every 
 denomination, be incapable of being elected 
 members of either house of assembly or the 
 privy council. 
 
 The governor, with the advice of the privy 
 council, shall appoint justices of the peace for 
 the counties: and in case of vacancies, or a 
 necessity of increasing the number hereafter, 
 3uch appointments to be made upon the recom- 
 mendation of the respective county courts. The 
 U2 
 
234 
 
 present acting secretary in Virginuij and clerks 
 of the county courts, shall continue in office. In 
 case of vacancies, either by death, incapacity, 
 or resignation, a secretary shall be appointed, as 
 before directed: and the clerks, by the respec- 
 tive courts. The present and future clerks shall 
 hold their offices during good behaviour, to be 
 judged of, and determined in the general court. 
 The sheriffs and coroners shall be nominated by 
 the respective courts, approved by the gover- 
 nor, with the advice of the privy council, and 
 commissioned by the governor. The justices 
 shall appoint constables; and all fees of the 
 aforesaid officers be regulated by law. 
 
 The governor, when he is out of office, and 
 others, offending against the state, either by 
 mal-administration, corruption, or other means, 
 by which the safety of the state may be endan- 
 gered, shall be impeachable by the house of 
 delegates. Such impeachment to be prosecuted 
 by the attorney general, or such other person or 
 persons as the house may appoint, in the gene- 
 ral court, according to the laws of the land. If 
 found guilty, he or they shall be forever dis- 
 
235 
 
 ubled to hold any office under government, or 
 be removed from such office pro tempore, or 
 subjected to such pains or penalties, as the laws 
 shall direct. 
 
 If all or any of the judges of the general court 
 should, on good grounds (to be judged of by 
 the house of delegates) be accused of any of the 
 crimes or offences above mentioned, such house 
 of delegates may in like manner, impeach the 
 judge or judges so accused, to be prosecuted in 
 the court of appeals; and he or they, if found 
 guilty, shall be punished in the same manner as 
 is prescribed in the preceding clause. 
 
 Commissions and grants shall run, " Li the 
 name of the commonwealth of Firginia,^^ and 
 bear test by the governor, with the seal of the 
 commonwealth annexed. Writs shall run in the 
 same manner, and bear test by the clerks of 
 the several courts. Indictments shall conclude, 
 *' against the peace and dignity of the common- 
 wealth:'' 
 
 A treasurer shall be appointed annually, by 
 joint ballot of both houses. 
 
 All escheats, penalties, and forfeitures, here- 
 
:i36 
 
 tofore going to the king, shall go to the com- 
 monwealth, save only such as the legislature 
 may abolish, or otherwise provide for. 
 
 The territories, contained within the charters, 
 erecting the colonies of Maryland, I'ennsylva- 
 iiia, North and South Carolina, are hereby ceded, 
 released, and forever confirmed to the people of 
 these colonies respectively, with all tiM rights of 
 property, jurisdiction, and government, and all 
 other rights whatsoever, which might, at any 
 time heretofore, have been claimed by Virginia, 
 except the free navigation and use of the rivers 
 Potomaque and Pokomoke, with the property 
 of the Virginia shores and strands, bordering on 
 either of the said rivers, and all improvements, 
 which have been or shall be made thereon. The 
 western and northern extent of Virginia shall, 
 in all other respects, stand, as fixed by the 
 charter of king James I. in the year one thou- 
 sand six hundred and nine, and by the public 
 treaty of peace, between the courts of Britain 
 and France in the year one thousand seven 
 hundred and sixty-three; unless b\ act of this 
 kgislature, one or more governments be esta- 
 
blished westu-ard of the Alleehany n^ountains. 
 And no purchases of lands shall be made of the 
 Indian natives, but on behalf of the public, by 
 authority of the general assembly. 
 
 No. IV. 
 
 John Bar tram, an eminent botanist, was 
 born near the village of Darby in Chester coun- 
 ty, Pennsylvania, in the year 1701. His grand- 
 father of the same name, accompanied William 
 Penn to this country in the year 1682. 
 
 This self-taught genius early discovered an 
 ardent desire for the acquisition of knowledge, 
 especially in the science of botany; but the in- 
 fant state of the colony placed great obstacles in 
 his way. He however surmounted them l^y in- 
 tense application and the resources of his mind. 
 By the assistance of respectable characters he 
 obtained the rudiments of the learned languages, 
 which he studied with extraordinary success. 
 He acquired so much knowledge of medicine 
 and surgery, as to administer great assistance to 
 
£38 
 
 the indigent and distressed in his neighbour- 
 hood. He cuhivated alarm as the means of sup- 
 porting a large family; but while laboriously 
 employed in rural avocations, he was still push- 
 ing his inquiries into the operations of nature. 
 
 Mr. Bartram was the first American who 
 conceived and carried into effect the design of a 
 botanic garden, for the cultivation of American 
 plants as well as exotics. He purchased an eli- 
 gible situation on the banks of the river Schuyl- 
 kill, about five miles from Philadelphia, where 
 he laid out with his own hands a large garden. 
 He furnished it with a variety of the most rare 
 and beautiful vegetables, collected in his excur- 
 sions from Canada to Florida. These excursions 
 were pi incipally made in autumn, Vv^hen his pre- 
 sence at home was least demanded by his agri- 
 cultural pursuits. His devotion to the science of 
 botany was such, that at the age of seventy he 
 made a journey into East Florida to explore its 
 natural productions. 
 
 His travels among the Indians were frequently 
 attended with dang{.T and difficulty. By his 
 means the gardens in Europe were enriched 
 
259 
 
 with elegant flowering shrubs, and plants and 
 trees collected in different parts of our country, 
 from the shore of Lake Ontario to the source 
 of the river St. Juan. Such was his proficiency 
 in his favourite pursuit, that Linnaeus pro- 
 nounced him " the greatest natural botanist in 
 the world." 
 
 Mr. Bartram's eminence in natural history 
 attracted the esteem of the most distinguised 
 men in America and Europe, and he corres- 
 ponded with many of them. By means of the 
 friendship of sir Hans Sloane, Mr. Catesby, and 
 Dr. Hill, Linnaeus and others, he was furnished 
 with books and apparatus which he much need- 
 ed, and which greatly lessened the difficulties of 
 his situation. He in turn sent them what was 
 new and curious in the productions of America. 
 He was elected a member of several of the most 
 eminent societies and academies abroad, and 
 was at length appointed American botanist to 
 liis Britannic majesty George HL, in which ap- 
 pointment he continued till his decease in Sep- 
 tember 1777, in the seventy-sixth yCv^r of his 
 ac:e. 
 
240 
 
 Mr. Bartram ^vas an ingenious meciianic. I'hc 
 house in which he Uved, he built himself: he 
 was often his own mason, carpenter, blacksmith, 
 &c., and generally made his own farming uten- 
 sils. His stature was rather above the middle 
 size; his body was erect and slender; his com- 
 plexion was sandy; his countenance was cheer- 
 ful, though there was a solemnity in his air. 
 His gentle manners corresponded with his amia- 
 ble disposition. He was modest, liberal, charita- 
 ble, a friend to social order, and an advocate 
 for the abolition of slavery. He gave freedom 
 to a 3'oung African whom he had brought up, 
 but who in gratitude to his master continued in 
 his service. Though temperate, he kept a plen- 
 tiful table; and annually on new year's day, he 
 made an entertainment, consecrated to friend- 
 ship and philosophy. He was born and educated 
 in the society of friends. The following distich 
 was engraved by himself, on a stone in the wall, 
 over the front window of his own apartment: 
 
 'Tis God alone the Almighty Lord, 
 The Holy One, by me adored. 
 
 Jolin Bartram, 1770. 
 
241 
 
 He left several children. John, his youngest sei^ 
 succeeded him as proprietor of his botanic gar- 
 den; but it is now chiefly under the superinten- 
 dance of another son, Mr. William Bartram, 
 who accompanied his father in many of his bo- 
 tanical tours, and M'ho is well known by his 
 book, entitled " Travels through North and 
 South Carolina, East and West Florida," &c., 
 published in the year 1791. 
 
 Several of Mr. Bartram's communications in 
 zoology were published in the Philosophical 
 Transactions, between the years 1743 and 
 1749. He published observations on the inha- 
 bitants, climate, soil, Sec, made in his travels 
 from PennsylyvaniatoOnandago, Lonr'on 1751, 
 American Biography. 
 
 No. V. 
 Frederick William, baron de Steu- 
 ben, a m.ijor-general in the American army, 
 was a Prussian officer who served many years 
 in the armies of the great Frederick, was one 
 X 
 
242 
 
 of his aids, and had held ;he rank of lieutenant- 
 general. He arrived in New Hampshire from 
 Marseilles, in November 1777, with strong re- 
 commendations to congress. He claimed no 
 rank, and only requested permission to render 
 as a volunteer what services he could to the 
 American armj^ He was soon appointed to the 
 office of inspector- general, with the rank of 
 major-general. He established an uniform sys- 
 tem of manoeuvres, and by his skill and perse- 
 vering industry effected, during the continuance 
 of the troops at Valley Forge, a most important; 
 improvement in all ranks of the army. He was 
 a volunteer in the action at Monmouth, and 
 commanded in the trenches of Yorktown on 
 the day which concluded the struggle with 
 Great Britain. He died,^ Steubenrli^f, New 
 York,,, November 28th, 1794, aged sixty- one 
 years. He was an accomplished gentleman and 
 a virtuous citizen; of extensive knowledge and 
 sound judgment. An abstract of his system of 
 discipline was published in the year 1779, and 
 in 1784, he published a letter on the subject 
 of an established militia and militar}' arrange- 
 ments, Americmi Biography, 
 
243 
 
 No. VI. 
 Anthony Wayne, major-general in the 
 arm\ ol" the United States, was born in Chester 
 county, Pcnrisylvania, in the year 1745. In 
 1773 he was appointed a representative to the 
 general assembly, nhere, in conjunction with 
 John Dickinson, Thomas Mifflin, Charles 
 Thompson, and other gentlemen, he took an 
 active part in opposition to the claims oi Great 
 Britain. In the year 1775 he quitted the coun- 
 cils ol" his country for a command in her army, 
 which he entered as a colonel, and at the close 
 of the year accompanied general Thomson to 
 Canada. When this officer was defeated in his 
 enterprise against the Three Rivers in June 
 1776, and taken prisoner, he himself received a 
 flesh wound in the le";. His exertions were use- 
 ful in the retreat. In the same year he served at 
 Ticonderoga under general Gates, by whom he 
 was esteemed both for his courage and military 
 talents, and for his skill as an engineer. At the 
 close of the campaign he was made a brigadier- 
 general. In the campaign of 1777, in the mid- 
 die states, he took a very active part. In tht- 
 
244 
 
 battle of Brandyvvinc lie distinguished himself, 
 though he was a few days afterwards surprised 
 and defeated by major-general Grey. He fought 
 also in the battle of Germantown, as well as in 
 the battle of Monmouth in June 1778. In his 
 most daring and successful assault upon Stoney 
 Point, in July 1779, while he was rushing for- 
 w^ard with his men under a tremendous fire of 
 musketry and grapeshot, determined to carry 
 the works at the point of the bayonet, he was 
 struck by a musket ball upon his head. He was 
 for a moment stunned; but as soon as he was 
 able to rise so as to support himself on one 
 knee, believing that his wound was mortal, he 
 cried to one of his aids, " Carry me forward, 
 and let me die in the fort." When he entered it 
 he gave orders to stop the effusion of blood. In 
 the year 1781 he was ordered to march with the 
 Pennsylvania line from the northward, and form 
 a junction with La Fayette in Virginia. On the 
 6th of July, after receiving information that the 
 main body of the enemy under Cornwallis had 
 crossed James river, he pressed forvxard with 
 eight hundred men to attack the rear-guaid. 
 But to his utter astonishment, when he reached 
 
2i5 
 
 ihe place, he found the \A'hole British army, con- 
 sisting of four thousand men, drawn up ready 
 to receive him. At this moment he conceived 
 of but one way to escape. He rushed towards 
 the enemy until he came within twenty-five 
 yards, when he commenced a gallant attack, 
 which he supported for a few minutes, and ihen 
 retreated with the utmost expedition. The Bri- 
 tish general was confounded by this movement, 
 M\d appprehensive of an ambuscade from La 
 Fayette, would not allow of a pursuit. After the 
 capture of Cornwallis, he was sent to conduct 
 the war in Georgia, where with equal success 
 he contended with British soldiers, Indian sa- 
 vages, aiid American traitors. As a reward for 
 his services the legislature of Georgia presented 
 him with a valuable farm. At the conclusion of 
 the war he retired to private life. In the year 
 1787 he was a member of the Pennsylvania con- 
 vention, which ratified the constitution of the 
 United States. In 1792 he succeeded general 
 Si. Clair in thr command of the army lo be 
 emplo) «. d against the Indians. In the battle of 
 the Miamab, August 2()t!i, 1794, he gained a 
 X2 
 
24G 
 
 complete victory over the enemy; and after- 
 wards desolated their country. On the 3d of 
 August, 1795, he concluded a treaty v\ith the 
 hostile Indians north-west of the Ohio. While 
 in the service of his country he died in a hut at 
 Presque Isle, aged about fifty -one years, and 
 Was buried on the shore of Lake Erie. 
 
 Afnerican Biography. 
 
 No. VII. 
 Lord Jeffrey Amherst, commander iu 
 chief of the British army at the concjuest of 
 Canada in the year 1760, was born in Kent, 
 England, January 29th, 1717. Having early dis- 
 «overed a predilection for a military life, he re- 
 eeived his first commission in the year 17 •!, 
 and was aid- de-camp to general Ligonier in 
 1741, in which character he was in the battles 
 of Dettengin, Fontenoy, and Rocoux. He was 
 afterwards aid de-camp to his royal highness, 
 the duke of Cumberland, at the batde of Laf- 
 feidt. In the year 1758 he received orders to 
 
247 
 
 return to England, btini^ appointed for the 
 Amtrican service. He bailed Irom Portsmouth, 
 March 16;h, as a major-gent ral, havins^- the 
 command of the troops destined for the siege 
 of Louisburg. On the ii6th of July following 
 he captured the place, and without farther diffi. 
 culty took possession of the island of Cape Bre- 
 ton. After this event he succeeded Abei crombie 
 in the command of the army in North America. 
 In the year 1759, the vast design of the entire 
 conquest of Canada was formed. Three armies 
 Avere to attack, at near the same time, all the 
 strong holds of the French in that country. 
 The) were commanded by Wolfe, Amherst, 
 and Prideaux. General Amherst in the spring 
 transferred his head-quarters from New York 
 to Albany; but it was not till the '2-2d of July Uiat 
 he reached Ticonderoga, against which place 
 he was to act. On the 27th this place fell into 
 his hands, the enemy having deserted it. He 
 next took Crown Point, and put his troops in 
 winter quarters about the last of October. In 
 the year 1760 he advanced against Canada, em- 
 barking on Lake Ontario,-und proceeding down 
 
248 
 
 the St. Lawrence. On the 8th of September 
 M. de Vandreuil capitulated, surrendering Mon- 
 treal and all other places within the government 
 of Canada. He continued in the command in 
 America till the latter end of 176;^, when he re- 
 turned to England. 
 
 In the }ear 1771, sir Jeffrey Amherst was 
 made governor of Guernsey, and in 1776 he 
 was created baron Amherst of Holmsdale, in ihe 
 county of Kent. In 1778 he had the command 
 of the army in England. In 1782 he received 
 the gold stick from the king; bu^ on the change 
 of the administration, the command ot the army 
 and the lieutenant-generalship of the ordnance 
 were put into other hands. In 1787 he received 
 another patent of peerage, as baron Amherst 
 of Montreal. On the 23d of January, 1793, he 
 was again appointed to the command of the 
 army in Great Liritain; but on the 10th of Feb- 
 ruary, 1793, this veteran and very deserving 
 officer was superceded by his royal highness 
 the duke of York, the second son ot" the king, 
 who was only in the thirty-firs' year oi" his age, 
 and had never seen any actual service. The 
 
249 
 
 government upon this occasion, with a view to 
 sooth the feehngs of the venerable general, of- 
 fered him an earldom, and the rank of Field 
 Marshal, both of which he at that time rejected. 
 The office of Field Marshal, however, he ac- 
 cepted on the 30th of July, 1796. He died at his 
 seat in Kent, August 3d, 1797, aged eighty- 
 years. American Biography. 
 
 No. VIII. 
 Samuel Argal, deputy governor of Virgi- 
 nia, came to that colony in the year 1609, to 
 trade, and to fish for sturgeon. The trade was 
 in violation of the laws, but as the wine and 
 provisions \\hich he brought were much want- 
 ed, his conduct was connived at, and he conti- 
 nued to make voyages for his own advantage 
 and in the service of the colony. In the year 
 16 1. > he arrived at the island now called Mount 
 Desert, in the district of Maine, for the purpose 
 of fishing, and having discovered a settlt-ment 
 of French, which was made two years belore, 
 
250 
 
 he immecliateiy attacked it and took most of the 
 settlers prisoners. Gilbert de Thet, a Jesuit fa- 
 ther, was killed in the engagement. This was the 
 commencement of hostilities between the French 
 and English colonists in America. Captain Ar- 
 gal soon afterwards sailed from Virginia to 
 Acadie, and destroyed the French settlements 
 of St. Croix and Port Royal. 
 
 The pretext for this hostile expedition in 
 time of peace, was the encroachment of the 
 French on the rights of the English, which 
 were founded on the prior discovery of the 
 Cabots. Argal on his return subdued the Dutch 
 settlements at Hudson's river. In the year 1614 
 he went to England, and returned in 1617 as de- 
 puty governor. On his arrival he found the pub- 
 lic buildings at Jamestown fallen to decay, the 
 market place and streets planted with tobacco, 
 and the people of the colony dispersed in places 
 which they thought best adapted for the cultiva- 
 tion of that pernicious \Aeed. To restore pros- 
 perity to the colony, Argal introduced some 
 severe regulations. He prohibited all trade or 
 familiarity with the Indians. Teaching them the 
 
251 
 
 use of arms was a crime to be punished with 
 death. He ordered that all goods should be sold 
 at an advance of twenty-five per cent., and fixed 
 the price of tobacco at three shillings per pound. 
 None could sell or buy it at a different price 
 under the penalty of three years imprisonment. 
 No man was permitted to fire a gun before a 
 new supply of ammunition, except in self de- 
 fence, on pain of a year's slavery. Absence from 
 church on Sundays or holy days was punished 
 by confinement for the night and one week's 
 slavery to the colony, and on a repetition of the 
 offence the punishment was increased. 
 
 The rigorous execution of these laws ren- 
 dered Algal odious to the colony, and the re- 
 port of his tyranny and his depredations upon 
 the revenues of the company reaching P^ngland, 
 it was determined to recal him. Lord De la War 
 was despatched to Virginia, with directions to 
 send the delinquent home to answer the charges 
 brought against him; but as his lordship died 
 on the passage, his letter of instructions fell into 
 the hands of Argal. Perceiving from it tliat the 
 rich harvest which he was gathering would be 
 
252 
 
 soon ended, he redoubled his industry. He mul- 
 tiplied his acts oi injustice, and before the ar- 
 rival of a new governor in 1619, set sail in a 
 vessel loaded with his effects. He was the part- 
 ner in trade of the earl of Warwick, and by this 
 connexion was enabled to defraud the company 
 of the restitution which they had a right to ex- 
 pect. Nothing more of Argal is known, except 
 that in the year 1620 he commanded a ship of 
 war in an expedition against the Algerines, and 
 that in 1623 he was knighted by king James. 
 
 His character, like that of most who were 
 concerned in the government of Virginia, is 
 differently drawn; by some he is represented as 
 a .a:ood mariner, a man of public spirit, active, 
 industrious, careful to provide for the people, 
 and to keep them constantly employed; and by 
 others he is described as negligent of the public 
 business, selfish, rapacious, passionate, arbitrary 
 and cruel; and harassing the colonists by every 
 species of extortion and oppression. He was 
 without question a man of talents and art, for 
 he so foiled and perplexed the company, that 
 they were never able to bring him to any ac- 
 count or punishment. American Biography, 
 
253 
 
 No. IX. 
 William Berkeley, governor of Virginia, 
 Mas born of an ancient family near London, and 
 was educated at Merton college, Oxford, of 
 Avhich he was afterwards a fellow. He was ad- 
 mitted master of arts in the year 1629. In 1630 
 he travelled in different parts of Europe. He 
 succeeded sir John Hervey in the government 
 of ^'i^ginia, about the year 1639, This gentle- 
 man had conducted in so arbitrary a manner, 
 that the inhabitants of Virginia seized him and 
 sent him home a prisoner. King Charles re- 
 stored him, but very soon afterwards recalled 
 him, and appointed in his stead a more just and 
 Morthy man, sir William Berkeley. On his ar- 
 rival he found the country engaged in an Indian 
 war, which much interrupted its prosperity. The 
 war was occasioned by the encroachments of 
 governor Hervey, in the grants of land which 
 he had given. The natives had massacred about 
 five hundred of the colonists, and were still car- 
 rying on the work of destruction; but sir Wil- 
 liam, with a party of horse, surprised the aged 
 Opechancanough, and brought him prisoner t& 
 Y 
 
i54 
 
 Jamestown. The Indian emperor ^vas a man of 
 dignified sentiments. One day, when there was a 
 large crowd in his room gazing at him, he called 
 for the governor and said to him, "If it had 
 been my fortune to have taken sir William 
 Berkeley prisoner, I should have disdained to 
 have made a show of him to my people." 
 About a fortnight after he was taken, a brutal 
 aoldier shot him through the back, of which 
 wound the old man soon died. A peace was 
 soon afterwards made with the Indians. 
 
 During the civil war in England, governor 
 Berkeley took the side of the king, and Virginia 
 was the last of the possessions of England which 
 acknowledged the authority of Cromwell. Se- 
 vere laws were made against the puritans, though 
 there were none in the colony; commerce was 
 interrupted, and the people ^vere unable to sup- 
 ply themselves with implements of agriculture. 
 It was not till the year 1651, that Virginia was 
 subdued. The parliament had sent a fleet to re- 
 duce Barbadoes, and from this place a small 
 squadron was detached under the command of 
 captain Dennis. The Virginians, by the help of 
 
255 
 
 some Dutch vessels which were then in the 
 port, made such resistance that he was obhged 
 to have recourse to other means besides force. 
 He sent word to two of the members of the 
 council, that he had on board a valuable cargo 
 belonging to them, which they must lose, if the 
 protector's authority was not immediately ac- 
 knowledged. Such dissensions now took place 
 in the colony, that sir William and his friends 
 were obliged to submit on the terms of a gene- 
 ral pardon. He however remained in the colony, 
 passing his time in retirement at his own plan- 
 tation, and observing with satisfaction that the 
 parliament made moderate use of its success, 
 and that none of the Virginia royalists were per- 
 secuted for their resistance. 
 
 After the death of governor Matthews, who 
 was appointed by Cromwell, the people applied 
 to sir William to resume the government; but 
 he declined complying with their request, unless 
 they would submit themselves again to the au- 
 thority of the king. Upon their consenting to do 
 this, he resumed his former authority in January 
 ]C)59; and king Charles H. was proclaimed in 
 
250 
 
 Virginia before his restoration to the throne Cjf 
 England. The death of Cromwell, in the mean 
 timej dissipated from the minds of the colonists 
 the fear of the consequences of their boldness. 
 
 After the restoration governor Berkeley re- 
 ceived a new commission, and was permitted to 
 5^0 to England and pay his respects to his 
 majesty. During his absence, the deputy go. 
 vernor whom he had appointed in obedience to 
 Jiis orders, collected the laws into one body. The- 
 church of England was made the established re^ 
 ligion, parishes were regulated, and besides a 
 itiansion-house and glebe, a yearly stipend in to-- 
 bacco to the value of eighty pounds, was settled 
 ©n the minister. In the year 1662 governor 
 Berkeley returned to Virginia, and in the fol- 
 lowing year the laws were enforced against tlie 
 dissenters from the establishment, by which a 
 number of them were driven from the colon3% 
 
 During Bacon's rebellion he exhibited a suit- 
 able regard to the dignity of his station and a 
 firm resolution to support his authority. Peace 
 was afterwards preserved, not so much by the 
 removal of grievances which awakened discon* 
 
257 
 
 tent, as by the arrival of a regiment from Eng- 
 land, which remained a long time in the country. 
 In the year 1677, sir William was induced on 
 account of his ill health to return to England, 
 leaving colonel Jeffries deputy governor. He 
 died soon after his arrival, and before he had 
 seen the king, after an administration of near 
 forty years. He w^as buried at Twickenham, 
 July 13th, 1677. The assembly of Virginia de- 
 clared he had been an excellent and well de- 
 i^erving governor. The following extract from 
 his answer, in June 1671, to inquiries of the 
 committee for the colonies, is a curious speci- 
 men of his loyalty: " We have forty-eight pa- 
 rishes, and our ministers are well paid, and by 
 my consent should be better, if they would pray 
 oftener and preach less; but as of all other com- 
 modities so of this, the worst are sent us, and 
 ^ve have fcAv that we can boast of since the per- 
 secution in Cromwell's tyranny drove divers 
 worthy men hither. Yet I thank God there are 
 no free schools, nor printing; and I hope we 
 shall not have tliese hundred years. For learning 
 has brought disobedience and heresy and sects 
 Y2 
 
258 
 
 into the world, and printing has divulged them, 
 and libels against the best government." 
 
 He published the Lost Lady, a tragi- comedy, 
 1639; and a discourse and view of Virginia, 
 1663. American Biography » 
 
 Nor BORNE Eeekeley. baron de Botetourt, 
 one of the last governors of Virginia while a 
 British colony, obtained the peerage of Bote- 
 tourt in the year 1764. in July, 1768, he was 
 appointed governor of Virginia, in the place of 
 general Amherst. He died at Williamsburg on 
 the 15tli of October 1770, in the fifty-third year 
 of his age. At his death the government, in con- 
 sequence of the resignation of the honourable 
 John Blair, devolved upon the honourable Wil. 
 liam Nelson, until the appointment in Decem- 
 ber of lord Dunmore, then governor of New 
 York. 
 
 Lord Botetourt seems to have been highly 
 and deservedly respected in Virgiiiia. His ex- 
 
259 
 
 crtions to promote the interests of William and 
 Mary college, were zealous and unremitted. He 
 instituted an annual contest among the students 
 for two elegant golden medals of the value of 
 five guineas; one for the best Latin oration on a 
 given subject, and the other for superiority ia 
 mathematical science. For a long time he sanc- 
 tioned by his presence morning and evening 
 prayers in the college. No company nor avoca- 
 tion prevented his attendance on this service. 
 He was extremely fond of literary characters. 
 No one of this class who had the least claims to 
 respect, was ever presented to him without re- 
 ceiving his encouragement. 
 
 Amei'ican Biographif, 
 
 No. XL 
 R. Beverly, a native of Virginia, published 
 a history of that colony at London in the year 
 1705, in four parts, embracing the first settle- 
 ment of Virginia and the government thereof 
 to the time when it was written; the natural pro- 
 
260 
 
 ductions and conveniences of die country, suited 
 to trade and improvement; the native Indians, 
 their religion, their laws and customs; and the 
 state of the country, as to the policy of the go- 
 vernment and the improvements of the land. 
 Another edition was published with Gribelin's 
 cuts, 8vo. 1722. This work in the historical 
 narration is as concise and unsatisfactory, as tlic 
 history of Stith is prolix and tedious. 
 
 No. XII. 
 James Blaih, first president of William and 
 Mary college, Virginia, and a learned divine, 
 was born and educated in Scotland, where he 
 obtained a benefice in the Episcopal church. 
 On account of the unsettled state of religion, 
 which then existed in that kingdom, he quitted 
 his preferments and went into England near the 
 reign of Charles II. The bishop of London pre- 
 vailed on him to go to Virginia as a missionary, 
 about the year 1685; and in that colony, by his 
 exemplary conduct and unwearied labours in 
 
261 
 
 the work of the ministry, he much promoted re- 
 ligion and gained to himself esteem and reputa- 
 tion. In the year 1689 he was appointed by the 
 bishop ecclesiastical commissary, the highest 
 office in the church which could be given him 
 in the province. This appointment did not how- 
 ever induce him to relinquish the pastoral office, 
 for it was his delight to preach the gospel of sal- 
 vation. 
 
 Perceiving that the want of schools and semi* 
 naries for literary and religious instruction would 
 in a great degree defeat the exertions which 
 ^^•ere making in order to propagate the gospel, 
 he formed the design of establishing a college 
 at Williamsburg. For this purpose he solicited 
 benefactions in this country, and by direction of 
 the assembly made a voyage to England, in the 
 year 1691, to obtain the patronage of the go- 
 vernment. A charter was procured in this year, 
 with liberal endowments, and he was named hi 
 it the first president; but it does not appear 
 that he entered on the duties of his office before 
 the year 1729, from which period till 1742, he 
 discharged them with faithfulness. The college, 
 
262 
 
 however, did not flourish very greatly during 
 his presidency, nor for many years afterwards. 
 The weahhy farmers were in the habit of send- 
 ing their sons to Europe for their education. 
 After a hfe of near sixty years in the ministry, 
 he died in a good old age, on the first of Au- 
 gust 1743, and went to enjoy the glory for 
 which he was destined. 
 
 Mr. Blair was for some time president of the 
 council of the colony, and rector of Williams- 
 burg. He was a faithful labourer in the vineyard 
 of his master, and an ornament to his profession, 
 and to the several offices which he sustained. 
 
 He published " Our Saviour's divine sermon 
 on the mount explained, and the practice of it re- 
 commended, in divers sermons and discourses," 
 4 vols. 8vo. London 1742. This work is spoken 
 of with high approbation by Dr. Doddridge, and 
 by Dr. Williams in his Christian Preacher. 
 American Biography. 
 
263 
 
 No. XIII. 
 John Blair, one of the associate judges of 
 the supreme court of the United States, died at 
 Williamsburg in Virginia, on the 3 1st of August 
 1800, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. He was 
 a judge of the court of appeals in Virginia, in 
 the year 1787, at which time the legislature of 
 that state, finding the judiciary system inconve- 
 nient, established circuit courts, the duties of 
 which they directed the judges of the court of 
 appeals to perform. These judges, among whose 
 names are those of Blair, Pendleton and Wythe, 
 remonstrated, and declared the act unconstitu- 
 tional. In the same year, 1787, he was a mem- 
 ber of the general convention, which formed 
 the constitution of the United States. To that 
 instrument the names of Blair and Madison are 
 affixed as the deputies from Virginia. In Sep- 
 tember 1789, when the government which he 
 had assisted in establishing had commenced its 
 operation, he was appointed by Washington an 
 associate judge of the supreme court, of which 
 John Jay was chief justice. 
 
264 
 
 Judge Blair was an amiable, accomplished, 
 and truly virtuous man. He discharged with 
 ability and integrity the duties of a number of 
 the highest and most important trusts; and in 
 these, as well as in the several relations of pri- 
 ■sate life, his conduct was so upright and blame- 
 less, that he seldom or never lost a friend or 
 made an enemy. Even calumny, which assailed 
 Washington, shrunk from his friend, the unas- 
 suming and pious Blair. Through life he in a 
 remarkable manner e:jiperienced the truth of our 
 Saviour's declaration, " Blessed are the meek^ 
 for they shall inherit the earth;" and at death he 
 illustrated the force of the exclamation, " let 
 me die the death of the righteous, and let my 
 last end be like his." American Biography. 
 
 No. XIV. 
 The ODE RICK Bland, a worthy patriot and 
 statesman, was a native of Virginia, and de- 
 scended trom an ancient and respectable family 
 in that state. He was bred to the science of 
 
265 
 
 physic, but upon the commencement of the re- 
 volution he quitted the practice, and took an 
 active part in the cause of his country. He soon 
 rose to the rank of colonel, and had the com- 
 mand of a regiment of dragoons. While in the 
 army he frequently signalized himself by bril- 
 liant actions. In the year 1779 he was appointed 
 to the command of the convention troops at 
 Albemarle barracks in Virginia, and continued 
 in that situation till some time in 1780, when 
 he ^^■as elected to a seat in congress. He conti- 
 nued in that body three years, the time allowed 
 by the confederation. After the expiration of this 
 term he again returned to Virginia, and was 
 chosen a member of the state legislature. He op- 
 posed the adoption of the federal constitution, 
 believing it to be repugnant to the interests of 
 his country, and was in the minority that voted 
 against its ratification. But when it was at length 
 adopted, he submitted to the voice of the majo- 
 rity. He w^as chosen to represent the district in 
 which he lived, in the first congress under the 
 constitution. He died at New York on the 1st 
 Z 
 
266 
 
 oi" June 1790, while attending a session of con- 
 gress, in the forty-ninth year of his age. 
 
 Ainericmi Biography, 
 
 No. XV. 
 Edward Br ad dock, major-general and 
 commander in chief of the British forces in 
 America, arrived in Virginia with two regi- 
 ments from Ireland, in February 1755. The 
 plan of military operations having been settled 
 in April, by a convention of the several gover- 
 nors at Alexandria, he undertook to conduct in 
 person the expedition against Fort Du Quesne. 
 Meeting with much delay from the necessity of 
 opening roads, the general determined to ad- 
 vance with rapidity at the head of twelve hun- 
 dred men, leaving the he-ivy baggage to the care 
 of colonel Dunbar, who was to folio w by slow 
 :\nd easy marches. He reached the Monongahela 
 on the Sth of July. Tlie succeeding day he ex- 
 pected to invest the fort. He accordingly made 
 his dispositions in the morning. He was advised 
 
267 
 
 to advance the provincial companies in front, for 
 the purpose of scourinj^ the woods, and disco- 
 v( ring any ambuscade which might be formed for 
 him. But he held both his enemy and the pro- 
 vincials in too much contempt to follow this 
 salutary counsel. Three hundred British regu- 
 lars composed his van, which was suddenly at- 
 tacked, at the distance of about seven miles 
 Irom the fort, by an invisible enemy, concealed 
 by the high grass. The whole army was soon 
 thrown into confusion. The brave general ex- 
 erted his utmost powers to fonn his broken 
 troops, under a galling fire, upon the very 
 ground where they were first attacked; but his 
 efforts were fruitless. With such an enemy, in 
 such a situation, it was necessary to have ad- 
 vanced or retreated. All his officers on horse- 
 back, except his aid the late general Washing- 
 ton, were killed; and after losing three horses, 
 he received a mortal wound. 
 
 The defeated army fled precipitately to the 
 camp of Dunbar, near forty miles distant, where 
 Braddock, who was brought off the ground in a 
 tumbril, expired of his wounds. Sixty-four out 
 
268 
 
 of eighty.five officers, and about half the pri- 
 vates were killed and wounded, making in the 
 whole about seven hundred men. This disaster 
 resulted from the contempt of good advice. 
 American Biography. 
 
 No. XVI. 
 William Byrd, a native of Virginia, died 
 about the middle of the last century. He was 
 liberally educated in Great Britain, and pos- 
 sessed a very ample estate. Few persons in 
 America ever collected so large and valuable a 
 library, as he left. He was a very ardent friend 
 to the diffusion of knowledge, and freely opened 
 his library to the use of all who sought informa- 
 tion. He published several small tracts. 
 
 American Biography* 
 
269 
 
 No. XVII. 
 
 George Calvert, baron of Baltimore, 
 founder of the province of Maryland, was de- 
 scended from a noble family in Flanders, and 
 was born at Kipling in Yorkshire, England, in 
 the year 1582. After taking his bachelor's de- 
 gree at Trinity college, Oxford, in 1597, he 
 travelled over the continent of Europe. At his 
 return to England, in the beginning of the reign 
 of James L, he was taken into the oflice of sir 
 Robert Cecil, secretary of state, by whose fa- 
 vour he was made clerk of the privy council, 
 and received the honour of knighthood. In 1619 
 he was appointed one of the principal secretaries 
 of state, in the room of sir Thomas Lake. His 
 great knowledge of public business, and his 
 diligence and fidelity, conciliated the regard of 
 the king, who gave him a pension of a thousand 
 pounds, out of the customs. 
 
 In the year 1624 he became a Roman cathor 
 lie, and having disclosed his new principles to 
 the king, resigned his office. He was continued 
 however a member of the privy council, and 
 was created baron of Baltimore in the king- 
 Z 2 
 
270 
 
 dom of Ireland in 1625, at which time ]ie re- 
 presented the university of Oxford in parHa- 
 ment. 
 
 While secretary of state he was constituted, 
 by patent, proprietor of the south-eastern penin- 
 sula of Newfoundland, which he named the 
 province of Avalon. He spent twenty-five thou- 
 sand pounds in advancing his plantation, and 
 visited it twice in person; but it was so annoyed 
 by the French that, though he once repulsed 
 and pursued their ships and took sixty prisoners, 
 he was obliged to abandon it. Being still in- 
 clined to form a settlement in America, whither 
 he might retire with his family and friends, of 
 the same religious principles, he made a visit to 
 Virginia, the fertility and advantages of which 
 province had been highly celebrated, and in 
 which he had been interested as one of the ad- 
 venturers. But meeting with an unwelcome re- 
 9eption on account of his religion, and observing 
 that the Virginians had not extended their plan- 
 tations beyond the Potowmack, he fixed his 
 attention upon the territory northward of this 
 river, and as soon as he returned to England, ob- 
 
271 
 
 uiined a grant of it from Charles I; but owing 
 to the tedious forms of pubHc business, before a 
 patent was completed, he died at London, on the 
 15th of April 1632, in the fifty-first year of his 
 age. After his death the patent again was drawn 
 in the name of his eldest son, Cecil, who suc- 
 ceeded to his honours, and it passed the seals 
 on the 20th of June 1632. The country was 
 trailed Maryland, in honour of Henrietta Maria, 
 the queen consort of Charles I. From the great 
 precision of this charter, the powers it confers 
 on the proprietor, and the privileges and ex- 
 emptions which it grants to the people, it is 
 evident it was written by sir George himself. 
 The liberal code of religious toleration which it 
 established, is very honourable to him, and was 
 respected by his son, who carried his design 
 into execution. 
 
 Sir George was conspicuous for his good 
 sense and moderation. All parties were pleased 
 with him. Not being obstinate in his opinions, 
 he took as much pleasure in hearing the senti- 
 ments of others, as in delivering his own. In 
 his views of establishing foreign plantations, he 
 
272 
 
 thought that the original inhabitants, instead of 
 being exterminated, should be converted and 
 civilized; that the governors should not be in- 
 terested merchants, but gentlemen not concern- 
 ed in trade; and that every one should be left to 
 provide for himself by his own industry, with- 
 out dependence on a common interest. 
 
 He published Carmen Funebre in D. Hen. 
 Untonum, 1596. Parliamentary Speeches; va- 
 rious letters of state; the Answer of Tom Tell 
 Troth; the Practice of Princes; and the Lamen- 
 tation of the Kirk, 1642. He also wrote some- 
 thing respecting Maryland, but it is thought it 
 was never printed. American Biography. 
 
 No. XVill. 
 William Darke, a brave officer during 
 the American war, was born in Philadelphia 
 county in the year 1736, and when a boy, ac- 
 companied his parents to Virginia. In the nine- 
 teenth year of his age he joined the army under 
 general Braddock, and shared in the dangers of 
 
273 
 
 his defeat, in 1755. In the beginning of the war 
 \vith Great Britain he accepted a captain's com- 
 mission, and served with great reputation till 
 the close of the war, at which time he held the 
 rank of major. In 1791 he received from con- 
 gress the command of a regiment in the army 
 under general St. Clair, and bore a distinguished 
 part in the unfortunate battle with the Indians 
 on the 4th of November in the same year. In 
 this battle he lost a favourite son, and narrowly 
 escaped with his own life. In his retirement 
 during his last years, he enjoyed the confidence 
 of the state which had adopted him, and was 
 honoured with the rank of major-general of the 
 militia. He died at his seat in Jefferson county, 
 November 26th, 1801, in the sixty-sixth year 
 of his age. American Biography, 
 
 No. XIX. 
 
 W I L L I A ]\i G R A Y s N , a scnator of the United 
 States, was a native of the state of Virginia, and 
 was appointed a representati^'e to congress from 
 
274 
 
 that state in the year 1784, and continued a 
 number of years. In June 1788, he was a mem- 
 ber of the Virginia convention which was called 
 for the purpose of considering the present con- 
 stitution of the United States. In this assembly, 
 rendered illustrious by men of the first talents, 
 he was very conspicuous. His genius united 
 with the eloquence of Henry, in opposing the 
 adoption of the constitution. While he acknow- 
 ledged the evils of the old government, he was 
 afraid that the proposed government would des- 
 troy the liberty of the states. His principal ob- 
 jections to it were, that it took from the states 
 the sole right of direct taxation, which was the 
 highest act of sovereignty; that the limits be- 
 tween the national and state authorities were 
 not sufficiently defined, that they might clash, 
 in which case the general government would 
 prevail; that there was no provision against rais- 
 ing such a navy, as was more than sufficient to 
 protect our trade, and thus would excite the 
 jealousy of European powers, and lead to war; 
 and that there were no adequate checks against 
 the abuse of power, especially by the president, 
 
275 
 
 \vho was responsible only to his counsellors and 
 partners in crime, the members of the senate. 
 
 After the constitution was adopted, Mr. 
 Grayson was appointed one of the senators 
 from Virginia, in the year 1789; his colleague 
 was Richard Henry Lee. He died at Dumfries, 
 whither he had come on his way to the con- 
 gress, March 12th, 1790, and his remains were 
 deposited in the family vault at the reverend 
 Mr. Spcnce Grayson's. 
 
 His great abilities were united with unim. 
 peached integrity. American Biography. 
 
 No. XX. 
 Richard Henry Lee, president of con- 
 gress, was a native of Virginia, and from his 
 earliest youth devoted his talents to the service 
 of his country. His public life was dislin- 
 guished by some remarkable circumstances. 
 He had the honour of originating the first re- 
 sistance to British oppression in the time of the 
 stamp act in 1765. He proposed rn the Virginia 
 
276 
 
 house of burgesses, in 1773, the formation of a 
 committee of correspondence, whose object was 
 to disseminate information, and to kindle the 
 flame of Hberty throughout the continent. He 
 was a member of the first congress, and it was 
 he who proposed and ably supported the mo- 
 tion for declaring the colonies free and inde- 
 pendent, on the 7th of June, 1776. After the 
 adoption of the articles of the confederation, he 
 was under the necessity of withdrawing from 
 congress, as no representative was allowed to 
 continue in congress more than three years, in 
 any term of six years; but he was re-elected in 
 the year 1784, and continued till 1787. It was 
 in November 1784, that he was chosen presi- 
 dent of congress. When the constitution of the 
 United States was submitted to the considera- 
 tion of the public, he contended for the neces- 
 sity of amendments, previously to its adoption. 
 After the government was organised, he and 
 Mr. Grayson were chosen the first senators 
 from Virginia, in the year 1789. This station 
 he held till his resignation in 1792, when John 
 Taylor was appointed in his place. Mr. Lee 
 
277 
 
 died at his seat at Chantilly, in Westmoreland 
 county, Virginia, June 22d, 1794, in the sixty- 
 third year of his age. He supported through life 
 the character of a philosopher, a patriot, and a 
 sage; and he died as he had lived, blessing his 
 country. The petition to the king, which was 
 adopted by the congress in the year 1774, and 
 was admirably well drawn up, has been gene- 
 rally attributed to his pen. A letter, which Re 
 wrote against Deane, is published in the Virginia 
 Gazette of January 1st, and the Independent 
 Chronicle of February 11th, 1779. 
 
 He is supposed to have been the author of 
 " Observations leading to a fair examination of 
 the system of government proposed by the late 
 convention, in letters from the federal farmer to 
 the republican." American Biography. 
 
 ■2 A 
 
278 
 No. XXI. 
 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 Edin- 
 burg, where he also pursued, for some time, the 
 study of medicine. On his return to this coun- 
 try, 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 ren- 
 dered the most important services to his coun- 
 try, by sending to America the earliest intelli- 
 gence of the plans of the ministry. When the 
 instructions to governor Bernard were sent over, 
 he at tlie 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 Let- 
 ters, 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 nou' 
 
279 
 
 directed to the good of his country. When Mr. 
 Jefferson decHned the appointment of a minis- 
 ter to France, Dr. Lee was appointed to his 
 place, and he joined his colleagues, Dr. Frank- 
 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 neces- 
 sary by the malicious accusations with which 
 Deane had assailed his public 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 sus- 
 picions hovered around him, he thought it ne- 
 cessary to repel them, by attacking the character 
 of his colleague Dr. Lee. In an inflammatory 
 address to the public he vihfied him in the 
 grossest terms, charging him with obstructing 
 the alHance with France, and disclosing thjL- 
 secrets of congress to British noblemen. He 
 at the same time impeached the conduct of his 
 
280 
 
 brother, William Lee, Esq., agent for cdh- 
 gress 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 transac- 
 tions in which the philosopher had been en- 
 gaged. 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 
 zealous 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 honour. In February 1790 he was ad- 
 
i81 
 
 niitted a counsellor of the supreme court of the 
 United States, by a special order. After a short 
 illness, he died, December 14th, 1792, at Ur- 
 banna, in Middlesex county, Virginia. He was 
 a man of uniform patriotism, of a sound under- 
 standing, of great probity, of plain manners, and 
 strong passions. 
 
 During his residence for a number of years 
 in England, he was indefatigable in his exer- 
 tions 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. Be- 
 sides the Monitor's Letters, written in the year 
 1769, which have been mentioned, he pub- 
 lished " Extracts from a letter to congress in 
 answer to a libel by Silas Deane," 1780; and 
 *' Observations on certain commercial transac- 
 tions in France," laid before congress 1780. 
 American Biography. 
 
 2 A 2 
 
282 
 
 No. XXII. 
 John Mitchell, M.D. F.R.S., a botanist 
 and physician, came from England to Virginia 
 in the former part of the last centuVy. His resi- 
 dence was chiefly at Urbanna, a small town on 
 the Rappahannock, about seventy-three miles 
 from Richmond. He appears to have been a 
 man of observation, acuteness, and enterprise, 
 as well as learning. He was a great botanist, 
 and seems to have paid particular attention to 
 the Hybrid productions. He wrote, in the year 
 1743, the causes of the different colours of 
 people in different climates, which was pub- 
 lished in the Philosophical Transactions, Vol. 
 43. He attributes the difference of the human 
 complexions to the same causes which have 
 been assigned by the reverend Dr. Smith, viz. 
 the influence of climate and modes of life; and 
 he thinks that the whites have degenerated 
 more from the original complexion in Noah 
 and his family, than the Indians or even ne- 
 groes. The colour of the decendants of Ham, 
 he considers a blessing, rather than a curse, as 
 without it thev could not well inhabit Africa. 
 
283 
 
 He also published an essay on the preparations 
 and uses of the various kinds of potash, in the 
 Philosophical Transactions, Vol. 45; a letter 
 concerning electrical cohesion in Vol. 51; and 
 a useful work on the general principles of 
 botany, containing descriptions of a number 
 of new genera of plants, 4to. 1769. It is be- 
 lieved that he was also the author of the map 
 of North America, published in the year 1755, 
 which was accompanied by a hirge pamphlet, 
 entitled " The contest in America;" and fol- 
 lowed by another, " The present state of Great 
 Britain and America," 1767. His manuscripts 
 on the yellow fever, as it appeared in Vir- 
 ginia in the year 1742, fell into the hands of 
 Dr. Franklin, by whom they were communi- 
 catcd to Dr. Rush. 
 
 A mm can Biography.. 
 
284 
 
 No. XXIII. 
 
 Thomas Nelson, governor of Virginia, 
 was a distinguished patriot of the revolution, 
 and uniformly attached to liberty. When Vir- 
 ginia was threatened to be made the theatre 
 ef war, he was appointed general by the legis- 
 lature, and he took the field at the head of his 
 countrymen. He was chosen governor in the 
 year 1781. The officers at the siege of York 
 witnessed his merit, and his attachment to civil 
 religious liberty. He died in February 1789. 
 American Biography. 
 
 No. XXIV. 
 
 Peyton R a n d o l p h , first president of con- 
 gress, was a native of Virginia, of which colo- 
 ny he was attorney-general as early as the year 
 1756. In that year he formed a company of a 
 hundred gentlemen, who engaged as volunteers 
 against the Indians. He was afterwards speaker 
 of the house of burgesses. Being appointed 
 one of the deputies to the first congress, in 
 
2S5 
 
 1774, he was on the 5th of September elected 
 its president. He was also chosen president of 
 the second congress, May 10th, 1775; but on 
 the 24th, as he was obliged to return to Vir- 
 ginia, Mr. Hancock was placed in the chair. 
 Mr. Randolph afterwards took his seat again 
 in congress. He died at Philadelphia of an 
 apoplectic fit, October 22d, 1775, aged fifty- 
 two years. American Biography, 
 
SKETCH 
 
 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH 
 
 IN VIRGINIA. 
 
SKETCli 
 
 HISTORY OF THE CHUllCH. 
 
 1 HE following sketch of the ecclesiastical history of 
 Virginia, is from the pen of the present learned and 
 venerable president of Hampden Sydney college. I re- 
 gret that it did not come to hand in time to be inserted 
 in the body of the work. The affairs of the church make 
 an important part of the history of most nations, and 
 afford no less a subject of meditation to the philosopher, 
 than a lesson of instruction to the christian. Religion, 
 unrestrained by law, and untrammelled by superstition, 
 promotes the best interests of the government, and se- 
 cures the real happiness of the subject. Its doctrines 
 derive not their influence from the aid of civil authority, 
 nor can the arm of secular power impede their progress 
 or prevent their efficacy. It belongs to government to 
 protect the religion of every sect, without wishing to 
 control the opinions of any. 
 
 : B 
 
290 
 
 Such is the present happy state of our country, whcvc 
 no monopoly of civil rights or religious privileges be- 
 longs to any sect, or is the reward of any tenets. Here 
 the church may flourish, careless of the flattery of her 
 friends, and fearless of the frowns of her enemies. 
 
 May 24tl., 1813. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 In the history of Virginia which you are about to pub- 
 lish, a brief sketch of the affairs of the church may, I 
 think, with propriety be allowed a place. And this 
 sketch I shall, agreeably to your request, undertake to 
 furnish. But so very defective are my materials for a 
 work of this nature, that it will not be in my power to 
 do justice to the interesting subject. 
 
 At the first settlement of this country by the English, 
 the Episcopal church was established by law; and se- 
 vere penalties were enacted against non-conformists to 
 !he established worship. 
 
 That there is a very intimate connexion between the 
 civil and religious interests of any government, will 
 readily be conceded. The duties which we owe to the 
 country in which we live, we also owe to God from 
 whom we have derived our existence. Nor is it possible 
 for any one to conduct himself as it becomes a christian, 
 without being at the same time a good citizen of the 
 commonwealth. But these great interests ought always 
 to be preserved entirely distinct. 
 
 As a sense of religious obligation is eminently condu- 
 
291 
 
 cive to the well-being of civil society, it is certainly the 
 duty of the civil magistrate to cherish that sense by all 
 proper means. But he has no right to select as the fa- 
 vouiiles of government any denomination of the clergy, 
 and to provide for their support at the common expense. 
 Much less can he have a right to require any one to 
 worship the Creator in a way that does not accord with 
 the dictates of his own conscience. Instead of such in- 
 vidious distinctions, the civil magistrate ought to be the 
 common protector of all, without distinction, who de- 
 mean themselves as good citizens of the commonwealth. 
 And such is, at present, the case in our highly favoured 
 country. 
 
 At the American revolution the Episcopal establish- 
 ment was abolished, and religious liberty suffered to re- 
 main upon its own proper base. 
 
 This reverse in the state of the Episcopal chnrch was. 
 it is affirmed by a respectable writer of that communion, 
 attended with some very serious disadvantages. Ulti- 
 mately however it will, we have reason to believe, be 
 highly conducive to the interests of genuine religion. 
 Already hate we seen a new and striking proof that the 
 gospel of Christ is not dependent upon tlie arm of civil 
 government for its support. Truth, when left thus open 
 to a free and impartial investigation, will, it may be pre- 
 s\imed, prevail. And now that all just ground of envy 
 and jealousy among the different denominations has been 
 removed, it mav reasonably be expected that they will 
 
292 
 
 follow with more attention and success the things that 
 make for peace. 
 
 It is not uncommon for ecclesiastical historians to 
 obtrude upon the world, and that under the imposing 
 name o{ church history ^ a pompous account of the pride, 
 the luxury, and other vices of faithless ecclesiastics, to- 
 gether with the contests and wars which they are said 
 to have engendered or fomented. This however is, in 
 my opinion, neither candid nor just. In this way many 
 groundless prejudices have, there is reason to believe, 
 been excited against the religion of Jesus Christ. For 
 the faults of real mejnbcrs the church is indeed account- 
 able. But the crimes of such as are christians only in 
 7ianiey belong to a very different class — to the world, and 
 not to the church. — The proper subject of church his- 
 tory is the kingdom of Jesus Christ upon earth, and not 
 the kingdoms of this world, or the lives or opinions of 
 the children of this world, by what name soever they 
 may choose to be distinguished. 
 
 The earliest authentic account in my possession of the 
 state of vital piety in our country, is contained in a letter 
 from the Rev. Samuel Davis, then minister of the gos- 
 pel at Hanover, to Dr. Bellamy of New England. This 
 interesting communication is dated June 28th, 1751; 
 and from it I have taken the liberty to make the follow- 
 ii)g extracts. 
 
29i 
 
 Reverend and Dear Sir, 
 If the publication of the rise, progress, and present 
 situation of religion in Virginia may not only gratify 
 good people, but (as you give me reason to hope) ani- 
 mate their prayers for us, and encourage preachers to 
 come into these parts, I should charge myself with a 
 criminal neglect if I refused to publish the marvellous 
 works of the Lord among us. I hope I may observe 
 without the umbrage of calumny, what is but too evident 
 umong serious people of all denominations among us, 
 that religion has been, and in most parts of the colony 
 still is, in a very low state. A surprising negligence in 
 attending public worship, and an equally surprising 
 levity and unconcernedness among those that attend. 
 Family religion a rarity, and a solemn concern about 
 eternal things a greater. Vices of various kinds tri- 
 umphant, and even a form of godliness not common.— 
 But universal fame makes it needless for me to enlarge 
 upon this disagreeable subject. Before the revival in 
 1743, there were a few who were awakened, as they 
 have told me, either by their own serious reflections, 
 suggested and enforced by divine energy, or on reading 
 some authors of the last century, particularly Bolton, 
 Baxter, Flavel, Bunyan. — There was one Mr. Samuel 
 Morris, who had for some time been very anxious about 
 liis own salvation, who after obtaining blessed relief in 
 Christ, became zealous for the salvation of his neigh- 
 2 D2 
 
194 
 
 hours, and very earnest to use means to awaken tiien.. 
 This was the tendency of his conversation; and he also 
 read to them such authors as had been most useful to 
 himself, particularly Luther on the Galatians, and his 
 table discourses, and several pieces of honest Bunyan's. 
 By these means some of his neighbours Avere made 
 more thoughtful about their souls; but the concern was 
 not very extensive. I have prevailed on my good friend 
 just now named, Avho was the principal private instru- 
 ment of promoting the late work, and therefore well ac- 
 quainted with it, to write me a narrative of its rise and 
 progress, and this, together with what he and others 
 have told me, I shall present to you without any mate- 
 rial alteration. — In the year 1740, Mr. Whitefield had 
 preached at Williamsburg at the invitation of Mr. Blair, 
 our late commissary. But we being sixty miles distant 
 from Williamsburg, he left the colony before we had an 
 opportunity of hearing him. But in the year 1743, a 
 young gentleman from Scotland had got a book of his 
 sermons, preached in Glasgow, and taken from his 
 mouth in short hand, which after I had read with great 
 benefit, I invited my neighbours to come and hear it; 
 and the plainness and fervency of these discourses being 
 attended with the power of the Lord, many were con- 
 vinced of their undone condition, and constrained to seek 
 deliverance with the greatest solicitude. A considerable 
 number met to hear these sermons, every Sabbath, and 
 frequently on week days. The concern of some was so 
 
:>9S 
 
 passionate and violent, that they could not avoid crying: 
 out and weeping bitterly, Sec; and that when such indi- 
 cations of religious concern were so strange and ridicu- 
 lous, that they could not be occasioned by example or 
 sympathy, and the affectation of them would be so un- 
 profitable an instance of hypocrisy, that none could be 
 tempted to it. My dwelling house at length was too 
 small to contain the people, whereupon we determined 
 to build a meeting-house, merely for reading. And hav- 
 ing never been used to social extempore prayer, none of 
 us durst attempt it. By this single mean severals were 
 awakened; and their conduct ever since is a proof of the 
 continuance and happy issue of their impressions. When 
 the report was spread abroad, I was invited to several 
 places to read these sermons, at a considerable distance, 
 and by this means the concern was propagated. About 
 iliis time our absenting ourselves from the established 
 church, contrary, as was alleged, to the laws of the land, 
 was taken notice of, and we were called upon by the 
 court to assign our reasons for it, and to declare what 
 denomination we were of. As we knew but little of any 
 denomination of dissenters, except Quakers, we were at 
 a loss what name to assume. At length recollecting that 
 Luther was a noted reformer, and that his books had 
 been of special service to us, we declared ourselves Lu- 
 therans; and thus we continued until Providence sent 
 us the Rev. Mr. William Robinson. This Mr. Robinson 
 was a zealous laborious minister of Christ, who by the 
 
296 
 
 permission of the presbytery took a journey through 
 the new settlements of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and 
 North Carolina. — His labours were extensively blest. — 
 On the sixth of July, 1743, he preached his first sermon 
 to us from Luke xiii. 3, and continued with us preaching 
 four days successively. The congregation was large the 
 first day, and vastly increased the three ensuing. It is 
 liard for the imagination to form an image of the condi- 
 tion of the assembly on these glorious days of the Son 
 of Man. Such of us as had been hungering for the word 
 before, were lost in an agreeable surprise and astonish- 
 ment. We were overwhelmed with the thoughts of the 
 unexpected goodness of God, in allowing us to hear the 
 gospel preached in a manner that surpassed our hopes. 
 Many that came through curiosity were pricked to the 
 heart, and but few in the numerous assemblies on these 
 four days appeared unaffected. They returned alarmed 
 with apprehensions of their dangerous condition, con- 
 vinced of their former entire ignorance of religion, and 
 anxiously inquiring what they should do to be saved. And 
 there is reason to believe there was as much good done 
 by these four sermons, as by all the sermons preached 
 in these parts before or since. Before Mr. Robinson left 
 us, he successfully endeavoured to correct some of our 
 mistakes, and to bring us to carry on the worship of God 
 more regularly at our meetings. After this v^e met to 
 read good sermons, and began and concluded witii prayer 
 and singing psalms, which till then we had omitted. 
 
297 
 
 The blessing of God remarkably attended these more 
 private means, and it was really astonishing to observe 
 the solemn impressions begun or continued in many by 
 hearing good discourses read. Soon after Mr. Robinson 
 left us, Mr, John Blair paid us a visit, and truly he came 
 to us in the fulness of the gospel of Christ. Former im- 
 pressions were refined, and new ones made on many 
 hearts. One night in particular a whole houseful of peo- 
 ple were quite overcome with the power of the word, 
 particularly of one pungent sentence. 
 
 Some time after this the Rev. Mr. Roan was sent us 
 by the presbytery of Newcastle. He continued with us 
 longer than any of the former, and the happy effects of 
 his ministrations are still apparent. He was instrumental 
 in beginning and promoting a religious concern in seve- 
 ral places where there was little appearance of it before. 
 This, together with his speaking pretty freely about the 
 degeneracy of the clergy in this colony, gave a general 
 alarm, and some measures were concerted to suppress 
 us. To incense the indignation of the government the 
 more, a perfidious wretch deposed that he heard Mr. 
 Roan utter blasphemous expressions in his sermons. An 
 indictment was therefore drawn up against Mr. Roan 
 (though by that time he had departed) and some who 
 had invited him to preach at their houses were cited to 
 appear before the general court, and two of them were 
 fined. Six witnesses were cited to prove the indictment 
 against Mr. Roan, but their depositions were in his 
 
298 
 
 favour. And the witness who accused him of blasphemy, 
 when he heard of the arrival of Messrs. Tennent and 
 Finley, fled, and has not returned since, so that the in- 
 dictment was dropped. But I had reason to fear being 
 banished from the colony, and all circumstances seemed 
 to threaten the extirpation of religion among the dis- 
 senters in these parts. In these difficulties, having no 
 person of a public character to appear in our favour, we 
 were determined to acquaint the synod of New York 
 with our case. Accordingly four of us went to the synod, 
 May 1745, when the Lord favoured us with success. The 
 synod drew up an address to our governor, the honoura- 
 ble sir William Gooch, and sent it with Messrs. Tennent 
 and Finley, who were received by the governor with 
 respect, and had liberty granted them to preach among 
 us. By this means the dreadful cloud was scattered for a 
 while, and our languid hopes i-evived. They continued 
 with us about a week, and though the deluge of passion 
 in which we were at first overwhelmed, was by this time 
 somewhat abated, yet much good was done by their 
 ministry. The people of God were refreshed, and several 
 careless sinners were awakened. Some that had trusted 
 before in their moral conduct, and religious duties, were 
 convinced of the depravity of their nature, and the ne- 
 cessity of regeneration, though indeed there were but 
 few un regenerate persons among us at that time, that 
 could claim so regular a character, the most part in- 
 dulging themselves in criminal liberties, being remiss 
 
299 
 
 111 the duties ot religion, •which, alas! is too commonly 
 the case still in such parts of the colony as the late re- 
 vival did not extend to. After they left us we continued 
 vacant for a considerable time, and kept up our meetings 
 for reading and prayer in several places, and the Lord 
 favoured us with his presence. I was again repeatedly 
 presented and fined in court for absenting myself from 
 church, and holding unlawful meetings, as they were 
 called; but the bush flourished in the flames. The next 
 that were appointed to supply us, were the Rev. Messrs. 
 ^^'iHiam Tcnnent and Samuel Blair. They administered 
 the Lord's supper among us; and wc have reason to re- 
 member it as a most glorious day of the Son of Man. 
 The assembly was large, and the novelty of the manner 
 of the administration did peculiarly engage the attention. 
 It appeared as one of the days of heaven to some of us; 
 and we could hardly help wishing we could, with Joshua, 
 have delayed the revolutions of the heavens, to prolong 
 it. After Messrs. Tennent and Blair were gone, Mr. 
 Whitefield came and preached for us five days, which 
 was the happy means of giving us farther encourage- 
 ment and engaging others to the Lord, especially among 
 the church people, who received the gospel more readily 
 from him than from ministers of the presbyterian deno- 
 mination. After his departure we were destitute of a 
 minister, and followed our usual method of reading and 
 prayer at our meetings, till the Rev. Mr. Davis, our pre- 
 sent pastor, was sent us by the picsbytcry, to supply us 
 
300 
 
 a few weeks in the spring of 1747, when our discourage- 
 ments from the government were renewed and multi- 
 plied; for upon a Lord's day a proclamation was set up 
 at our meeting-house, strictly requiring all magistrates 
 to suppress and prohibit, as far as they lawfully could, 
 all itinerant preachers, Sec, which occasioned us to for- 
 bear reading that day, until we had time to deliberate 
 and consult what was expedient to do. But how joyfully 
 were we surprised before the next Sabbath; we unex- 
 pectedly heard that Mr. Davis was come to preach so 
 long among us, and especially that he had qualified him- 
 self according to law, and obtained the licensing of four 
 meeting houses among us, which had never been done 
 before. Thus, men's extremity is the Lord's opportunity. 
 For this seasonable interposition of Divine Providence, 
 we desire to offer our grateful praises, and we impor- 
 tune the friends of Zion to concur with us. 
 
 Thus far Mr. Morris's narrative. Then the Rev. Mr. 
 Davis proceeds to give account of the state of their af- 
 tairs since he came among them, in April, 1747. 
 
 Upon my arrival, I petitioned the general court to 
 grant me a license to officiate in and about Hanover, at 
 four meeting-houses, which after some delay, was grant- 
 ed, on my qualifying according to the act of toleration. I 
 preached frequently in Hanover and some of the adja- 
 cent counties, and though the fervor of the late work 
 was considerably abated, and my labours were not bless- 
 ed with success equal to those of my brethren, yet I 
 
301 
 
 have reason to hope tliey were oi" service in several lu- 
 stances. The importunities they used with me to settle 
 with them were invincible, and upon my departure they 
 sent a call for me to tiie presbytery. 
 
 After I returned from Virginia, I spent near a year 
 under melancholy and consumptive languishments, ex- 
 pecting death. In the spring of 1748, I began slowly to 
 recover, though I then looked upon it only as the inter- 
 mission of a disorder that would finally prove mortal. But 
 upon the arrival of a messenger from Hanover, I put my 
 life in my hand, and determined to accept of their call, 
 hoping that I might live to prepare the way for some 
 more useful successor, and willing to expire under the 
 fatigues of duty rather than in voluntary negligence. 
 The honourable sir William Gooch, our late governor, 
 always discovered a ready disposition to allow us all 
 claimable privileges, and the greatest aversion to perse- 
 cuting measures; but considering the shocking reports 
 spread abroad concerning us by oflicious maliy;nants, it 
 was no great wonder that the council discovered conside- 
 rable reluctance to tolerate us. Had it not been for this, I 
 persuade myself they would have shown tliemselves the 
 guardians of our legal privileges, as well as generous 
 patriots to their country, which is the general character 
 -given of them. 
 
 My congregation is very much dispersed. Were they 
 all compactly situate in one county, they would be sufFi- 
 rrent for three congregations. Many of the church peopk- 
 2 C 
 
302 
 
 also attend. This I looked upon at first as mere curiosity 
 after novelty, but as it continues, and in some places 
 seems to increase, I cannot but look upon it as a happy 
 token of their being at length thoroughly engaged. And 
 I have the greater reason to hope so now, as experience 
 has confirmed my former hopes; fifty or sixty families 
 having thus been happily entangled in the net of the 
 gospel by their own curiosity, or some such motive. 
 There are about three hundred communicants in my 
 congregation, of whom the greatest number are, in the 
 judgment of rational charity, real Christians. Besides 
 some, who, through excessive scrupulousness, do not 
 seek admission to the Lord's Table. There is also a 
 number of negroes. Sometimes I see an hundred and 
 more among my hearers. I have had as satisfying evi- 
 dences of the sincere piety of severals of them, as ever 
 I had from any person in my life; and their artless sim- 
 plicity, their passionate aspirations after Christ, their in- 
 cessant endeavours to know and do the will of God, have 
 charmed me. But alasl while my charge is so extensive 
 I cannot take sufficient pains with them for their in- 
 struction, which often oppresses my heart. There have 
 been instances of unhappy apostacy among us, but bless- 
 ed be God, not many in proportion to the number brought 
 under concern. At present there are few under promis- 
 ing impressions, but, in general a lamentable security 
 prevails. Oh for a little reviving in our bondage! 
 
 I might have given you a particular account of the 
 
303 
 
 conversion of some persons here, as indeed there are 
 some uncommon instances of it; but I shall only ob- 
 serve in general, that abstracting from particular cir- 
 cumstances, the work of conversion has been carried on 
 in such steps as are described by experimental divines, 
 as Allein, Shepherd, Stoddard, Flavel, &;c. And nothing 
 confirms me more in the truth of their opinion concern- 
 ing experimental piety, than this agreement and unifor- 
 mity as to the substance, in the exercises of those who 
 can make the fairest claim to saving grace. 
 
 There is one Isaac Oliver here, whose history, could 
 I write it intelligibly to you, would be very entertaining. 
 lie has been deaf and dumb from his birth, and yet I 
 have the utmost reason to believe he is truly gracious, 
 and also acquainted with most of the doctrines, and 
 many of the historical facts of the Bible. I have seen 
 him represent the crucifixion of Christ in such signifi- 
 cant signs, that I could not but understand them. I have 
 seen him converse in signs about the love and sufferings 
 of Christ, till he has been transported into earnestness, 
 and dissolved in tears. 
 
 Thus, dear sir, I have given you a brief account of 
 what I am persuaded you will readily own to be a 
 work of the Lord. We claim no infallibility, but we 
 must not fall into scepticism. If we could form no judg- 
 ment of such a work, why should we pretend to promote 
 the conversion of men, if we cannot have a satisfying 
 knowledge of it when it appears. Indeed the evidence of 
 
304 
 
 jLb divinity here is so irresistible, that ilTias extorted 
 an acknowledgment from some, from whom it would 
 scarcely have been suspected. Were you, sir, a narrow 
 bigot, you would, no doubt, rejoice to hear that there 
 are now some hundreds of dissenters in a place, where, 
 a few years ago there were not ten; but I assure myself 
 of your congratulations on a nobler account, because a 
 considerable number of perishing sinners is gained to 
 the blessed Redeemer, with whom, though you may 
 never see them here, you may spend a blissful etertiity. 
 After all, poor Virginia demands your compassion, for 
 religion at present is but like the cloud which Elijah's 
 servant saw. Oh that it may spread and cover the land. 
 
 On the west side of the Blue Ridge, a large proportion 
 of the first settlers were dissenters. Nor did they, as far 
 as I can learn, ever meet with any serious obstructions 
 from government. The Rev. Messrs. John Hoge, John 
 Craig, and John Brown were, I think, the first Presbyte- 
 rian ministers who settled there. You do not however, I 
 believe, either expect or wish from me a detail of the 
 churches of this description with an account of the state 
 of religion in each. 
 
 About twenty-five years ago, there was among the 
 churches of that denomination, a very considerable re- 
 vival, the fruits of which are still visible in our country. 
 In promoting this work, Mr. John Smith, in whose 
 charge it is said to have taken its rise, was the most 
 tUstinguished instrument. Mr. William Graham also, 
 
307 
 
 Messrs. Devcrcaux, Jarratt, and Archibald M'Roberl,* 
 are entitled in this view to very respectful notice, as 
 will appear from the following extracts, from the life of 
 the former. 
 
 " The genuine doctrines of the gospel, when preached 
 in due order,and inculcated with any just degreeof anima- 
 tion and fuithos^ seldom fail in producing good cflects, 
 more or less. I had the exquisite pleasure of seeing this 
 realized among the people of my charge, before I had 
 laboured very long. The religious concern among the 
 people of Bath, soon enlarged the bounds of my labours. 
 Such a work could not be confjoed to a corner. It gives 
 mc pleasure now to review these happy times, and the 
 many precious reviving seasons, when the spirit was 
 poured out from on high, and such a number of souls 
 was gathered into the fold of the Great Sheperd. Seve- 
 ral such seasons took place between the years 1764 and 
 1772. In the course of these years a great many souls 
 were, in the judgment of charity, savingly converted to 
 God, and obtained remission of sins by faith in Jesus 
 Christ. Thus commenced the enlargement of my bounds 
 of preaching, which in process of time extended to the 
 circle of five or six hundred miles east, west, north, and 
 ilouth. 
 
 " It has been intimated already, that at my first set- 
 tlement in this parish, I knew of no minister of the 
 
 • Mr. Holt also, it is probable, ought to be added to this Cata'- 
 lop^iie, but I am not acquainted with his liistory. 
 
308 
 
 established church, who was like minded with myself, 
 respecting the doctines I preached, and my manner of 
 preaching them. I stood alone for some time. But in a 
 few years I became acquainted wiih a neighbouring 
 clergyman,* in whom some good thing was found. He 
 had great gifts for the pulpit, and spoke with a degree 
 animation very unusual in his time. 
 
 " In him I found a dear brother, and a faithful fellow- 
 labourer in the Lord. We frequently travelled together, 
 and preached in each other's churches, especially on 
 sacramental occasions. Our joint labours on these and 
 many other occasions, I trust, were not in vain in the 
 Lord. 
 
 " Religion revived on all hands and spread abundantly. 
 The number of communicants increased to nine hundred 
 or one thousand."! 
 
 As the Baptists and Methodists have published to the 
 world, histories of their respective churches, it may be 
 sufficient in this place just to acknowledge their im- 
 portant services in the cause of genuine religion. Of 
 them it may be truly affirmed that they have gone out 
 in the highways and hedges, and compelled many a 
 profligate transgressor to come into the fold of Christ. 
 
 From this review, we are naturally led to conclude, 
 that God is not a respecter of persons or denominations, 
 as the bigots of all parties are apt to suppose. No: vvhe- 
 
 * Mr. M'Robert. 
 
 t See Jan-att's Life, p. 90—102. 
 
309 
 
 iher we offer up our homage to the Great Creator and 
 Governor of the universe by a form, or without a form, 
 as the spirit helpeth our infirmities; whether we devote 
 our infant offspring to God in the ordinance of baptism, 
 or only in the way of prayer and supplication; whether 
 we believe in the doctrine of predestination without hav- 
 ing it in our power to comprehend that doctrine, or set 
 ourselves in opposition to it, without any very distinct 
 conceptions of what it is we oppose; and whatever form 
 of church government we prefer. Episcopal, Presbyte- 
 rian, or Congregational; — in all these cases, the doc- 
 trines of the cross, when faithfully preached, become the 
 power of God, and the wisdom of God to the salvation 
 of perishing sinners. 
 
 Upon the whole, notwithstanding the strenuous oppo- 
 sition which has lately been made to the gospel of Christ 
 and the powerful obstructions it has still to meet, I am 
 disposed to consider the great interests of vital piety in 
 a progressive state in our country. And when party zeal 
 and unprofitable disputations about the circumstantials 
 of religion shall cease to molest the peace of the church; 
 when antinomial licentiousness on the one hand, and 
 Pharisaic self-rightcousncss on the other, shall give 
 place to a faith that worketh by love; when professors of 
 the Christian faith shall no longer mistake the fervors 
 of a heated imagination, or the cold and heartless suf- 
 frages of the understanding in favour of religion, for 
 vital piety; when, instead of misrepresenting the doc- 
 
310 
 
 trines and depreciating the characters of one another, 
 they shall honestly endeavour to preserve the unity of 
 the spirit in the bond of peace: — In a word, when the dif- 
 ferent denominations shall employ as much zeal and 
 union of exertion to promote the great interests of 
 genuine religion, as its opponents do to obstruct its pro- 
 gress, then may v/e confidently expect to see much bet- 
 ter limes in the ciiurchcs of Virginia. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 89,.i 
 
 '%. 
 
. '^'^z y\ ..^^,^^,^/ /% %^.._ 
 
 
 
 '% •JiW'f 
 
 
 
 9. .1.^ *tv^T.*.*_ -^, A-'- 
 
 
 \ 
 
 4* ''^'' 
 
' .'.•'^'■="" %^<-* ••.'..,„■«. ^^^^^-i.