THE HISTORY OF VIRGINIA, FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT THE PRESENT DAY. BY JOH.V BURK. VOLUME III. PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA, PRINTED B Y DICKSOJY & PESCUD, AND TOR SALE AT THE BOOK-STORES OF SOMERVELL & CONRAD, PE- TERSBURG... JOHN CONRAD, tf CO. PHILADELPHIA ...MICHAEL &* JOHN CONRAD, t? CO. BALTIMORE. ...RAPINE, CONRAD, ^ CO. WASHINGTON CITY... .AND BONSALL, CON- RAD, & CO. NORFOLK. 1805. > r *.\ CHAPTER I. Impressions excited amongst the first colonists by. the appearance of the Bay ofChesaf>eakeJ)y the dress, color and arms oj the natives by the pe- culiarity of the climate. Reflections on the vari- ation of the climates of America. How ac- counted for. Almost unvaried sameness of the various nations of American Indians in shape, figure and color almost infinite variety in their language. Indians have a common original Mr. Jeffersorfs hypothesis why it should not be admitted. Cases apparently in support of Ray- nafrs and Buff on* s opinion of Indian incapacity Why inconclusive. A thorough enquiry into the Indian character^ language and descent highly important. Character of Indians better known than when Robertson vurole. Robertson's analy- sis of Indian character and manners examined. The bodily structure and external appearance of the Indian. His beardless countenance* Their insensibility to the charms of beauty, and the power of love. Their limited capacity. The same vices had been objected to the Spartans. Extraordinary similarity in the Indian and Spartan customs and manners. A brief review of their common usages. Their profound respect and deference Jor the persons and opinions of the, old men. Their stoical indifference ^their appa- rent extinction of natural affection in the passion oj patriotism their contempt oj death> an&lieir _ in supporting torture their- tacitur* :. _' : - : ' : . . gtf vV reserve and deliberation The character of their eloquence and private conversation. Their treatment of their children. Their mili- tary habits Both prefer stratagem to force Their mode of forming and preserving friendship. With both war is a season of rest nnd plea- sure Their contempt of cowardice >, and their pe- nalties against it their equality Their disin- terestedness 7 heir refusal to portion the'w daughters Their respect for the laws and an- cient manners Their custom of destroying their deformed children. The general portrait will serve for the Virginia Indian. This enquiry drawn from authentic sources. Plan of In- dian civilization adopted by United States, Its success. Complexion o/ Virginia Indian. The powers and, qualities of his mind his arithme- tic Few abstract ideas JVhy ? Their admi- rable address in managing treaties Their elo- quence Their little knowledge of the useful arts. No written laws. Their absolute freedom. Their appearance when preparing for battle. Their war songs Their punishments Their mode of distinguishing the yearBy months by seasons by hours. --Their notions of re- ligion. The great spirit or master breath. Their idea of a future state. T/ieir festivals. Their domestic relations. Their notions of mar- riage. Influence of the women. Order and de- portment of an Indian assembly. Who were the ancestors of this people Various opinions on this faad. HISTORY. VIRGINIA presented to the first settlers an CHAP. appearance calculated to impress them with feel- * ings of grandeur and sublimity. Immense ib- i mpres - rests, which appeared to have continued undis- sions excit- turbed from the creation : The silence, which ed among reigned through those regions, and which is in- |"'5t settlers terrupted only by the rustling of the leaves, by p^nofof the e;k or butfaloe ; or the waving of the branches u )e Chesa- by the wind ; unless when the death like stillness peake. is broken by the soul chilling tones of the war whoop and the harsh discords of the war song; the cautious and silent step of the Indian moving like a ghost present ideas of sublime and solitary grandeur. No traces of cultivation appeared : The glebe had never been turned up. The earth in its se- parate strata remained as it had been assorted ac- cording to its specific gravities from the begin- ning of the world. THE Bay of Chesapeake was particularly cal- culated to keep alive those impressions. Forests as far as the eye could see, covered the face of the country and descended to the very edge of the water. Several great rivers, whose distance from their sources was manifested by the depth and breadth of their channels, discharged their vast tributes into it in their sight ; while tribes of In- dians made signs to thefn from the shore or sailed round them in canoes, 6 HISTORY OF CHAP. THE dress, arms* and complexion of the native; became new sources of wonder. Their skin wa: of a copper colour, and the character of thei Bythe dress f ace fierce and barbarous: But their Ions color and . , , . . , . . . . .. , .* arms of the black hair and the admirable proportion or thei: natives. bodies were proofs of a radical difference betweei them and the inhabitants of Africa. They ap peared to be a new species equally removed fron the men of Europe, Asia and Africa. THE climates too as well as the complexioi JJy the pc- were different from those of countries lying in pa culiarity of rallel latitudes. The air was much colder than ii climate, the ancient continent. This remark will apply t< every part of the new world, f Heat alone is in sufficient to determine the distance of any placi in America from the equator although it is a to lerably safe and correct measure of latitude ii the other quarters of the globe. The elevation Reflections humidity and extent of the American continents suggested the vast extent of the ocean, which washes it; e * ari " coasts ; the great height of its mountains and the inateTn " direction of its predominant winds, must be tak^r America, into calculation. There are doubtless other cir cumstances : But those, which have been enu- * A cloak of buffaloe or beaver skin, bound with a lea them girdle, and stockings made of roe buck skins, was the whole of their dress before their intercourse with us; what they have addtd since gives great offence to their ok men, who are ever lamenting the degtneracy of their man- ners. Jal's History of America, fiage . t The author of Recherches Philosophicjues sur les Ame- i icy ins supposes the difference in heat to be equal to 12 de- grees, and that a place 30 degrees from the equator in the old con mem is as warm as one distant only 18 from it in the new. Dr Mitchell after observations carried on during 30 years, contends that the difference is equal to 14 or 15 degrees of latitude. Rob. Am* J\otc 37. VIRGINIA. tnerated have a manifest and decided influ- ence. So many circumstances, which do not exist Hovv a<> elsewhere combine with htat in forming the cli- counted for. mates of this region that the old standard must be laid aside or corrected. The near approach of America to the pole; its immense extent; the superior height of its mountains covered with everlasting snow ; its vast lakes and rivers ; its 'almost continued forest ; but above all the north ivest wind, which blowing from the north pole and passing over a hard frozen and elevated ground from which no caloric can escape to warm it, de- scends with all its rigour and severity on the re- gions of North America. These circumstances produce the striking difference between the cli- mates of the old and new world. THE same observations will apply to South America. There the east wind cooled in its pas- sage across the Atlantic and passing to the west over immense swamps and forests which ex- clude the heat and often the light of the sun, mi- tigates the burning rigour of the torrid zone.* * This coldness of the climate which is felt all over North America appears to proceed principally and chiefly from the three following causes, besides ethers that con- spire with tl.em, particularly the nature of the soil. I. America extends further north than any other part of the world and by that means is so much colder. Europe is surrounded by the warmer ocean which is always open, Asia by an icy sea (the Mare Glaciale) and America by a frozen continent which occasions the diversity of the climate in these three continents II. That continent which is thus extensive in the northern parts, is one entire group of high mountains covered with snow or rather with ice throughout the whole year. These mountains rise in the most northern parts of the continent that have been discovered in Baffin's Bay and spread all ; HISTORY OF CHAP. OUR surprize at this variance between the cli~ mates of the old and new world will be lessened, when it is known by actual observation and ex- periment that the climate of V irginia has percep- over it to New England. Hence the coast of Labrador is the highest in the world and can be discerned at the dis- tance ot forty leagues ; and in the western parts discovered by the Russians they tell us '* the country had terrible high mountains covered with snow in the month of July." This was in latitude 58 degrees, and the country southward to that 40 degrees, is by the Spaniards called Sierras Neve- dos, Snowy Mountain ; so a ridge of mountains rise at Cape Tourmente by Quebec and running four or five hundred leagues^ forming the greatest ridge of mountains in the uni- verse which spread over all the northern parts of the conti- nent. These are what we call the Northern Snowy Moun- tains. III. All the countries that lie within the verge of these mountains or north of New England are continually involved in frosts, snows or thick fogs, and the colds that are felt in the south proceed from these frozen regions in the north by violent north west winds. These are the peculiar winds of that country and blow with a violence which no wind exceeds. It appears from many observations that they blow quite across the Atlantic ocean to Europe. The great lakes of Canada, \vhich are inland seas extending north west for twelve or thirteen hundred miles, gives force and direction to these winds which blow from the frozen regions, and bring the cli- mate of Hudson's Bay to the most southern parts of the continent when they blow for any considerable time. Many Imagine that these colds proceed from the snow lying in the woods, but that is the effect not the cause of the cold. They who attribute this to the woods do not distinguish between wet and cold, or the damps of wood-land frosts, which are very different things. These colds are so far from proceeding from the woods that one half of that continent which is the coldest and from which they proceed, has not a wood in it, and is so barren that it does not bare a tree or a bush. It is from this want of woods in the. northern parts and the lakes that these furious winds proceed which are very much abated by the woods. In the woods these cold winds may be endured, but in the open fitld they are insufferable either to man or beast, and that VIRGINIA: t> tibly changed within the last thirty years. The CHAP. * winters are neither so lorg and severe as for- merly, and there is a proportional abatement in the heat. THE causes of this change are obvious. The earth formerly covered with forest and choaked with leaves, weeds and underwood, is now turned up with the plough, and its chilled surface warm- ed by the beams of the sun. Channels are now in all directions cut through the forests, which afford a pa-sage and circulation to the stagnant air* There is moreover a vast increase in popu- lation. It is difficult indeed to explain by those causes the decrease of heat. I orests absorb the rays of the sun and intercept their progress to the even in our southern colonies. Hence, if all the woods in that continent were cleared, Canada and Novr* Scoti* would be as inhabitable as Hudson's Bay, our northern colonies as cold as Canada, and our adjacent southern colonies in the situation of the northern. Let us not deceive ourselves there- fore with the vain hopes of mending nature and abating the rigour of those inhospitable climes ; that is not to be done but by cutting off twenty degrees of that continent in the north and leveling the innumerable snowy mountains. No part of the world can be compared to this in point of climate but the eastern parts of Asia, which are almost con- tiguous to America in the north, and are exposed to this cold wind from the continent. Hence it appears from comparing many observations in both, that our colonies en- joy the same climate with East Tartary, China, Corea and Japan, the products of which are so rich and valuable. Here then we might have many of the most valuable commo- dities for the colonies, and as they are so entirely different from any thing which Britain produces, they might forever keep the colonies from inte .-tiering with the mother country, and preserve a lasting connection and correspondence be- tween them. Most of the staple commodities of America come from the east, as sugar, rice, cotton, coffte, imligoj Sec. W ynne's British Americc^ B 10 HISTORY OF CHAP, earth : But at the same time it is suggested that .__ it must have impeded the progress of the cooling winds and the free circulation of air, which have since received freedom and activity. It is not inconsistent too with the laws of our atmosphere to suppose that the heat is qualified by new cur- rents of air and partial changes in their direction generated by itself.* THIS curious change in the climate of Vir- gina naturally suggests a question of some in- They will terest What would be the probable effects of a extend still general cultivation of the several regions of the fuither earth on the climates of those places ? Would the westward. p rO g ress o f cultivation, which shall every where be equal, abate the rigour of a torrid zone or the in- tense severity of polar ice ? Would it increase or diminish the advantages of temperate climates ?f THE various nations, which by the first set- * The eastern and south eastern breezes come on gene- rally in the afternoon. They have advanced into the country very sensibly within the memory of people LOW living. They formeriy did not penetrate above Williamsbnrg. They are now frequent at Richmond and every now and then reach the mountains. They deposit most of their moisture before they get that far, as the land become more cleared it is pro* bab'e they will extend farther westward. t By the following extract it appears that a revolution of this kind was not unknown among the ancients. Natural- ists affirm, says the ingenious author of Anacharsis, speak- ing of Larissa, that since a passage has been formed to let oft' the stagnant waters, which covered the environs of this town in many places, the air is become more pure and cold- er. They allege two reasons in support of this opinion ; olive trees were formerly very nuroerons and flourishing in this district ; at present they are unable to endure the seve- rity of the winters : The vines too are often frozen, which in former times was never known to happen. rol<2.ji. 284 5. VIRGINIA. tiers were found dispersed over the American continent, in the unvaried sameness of their ap- _ pearance and manners, and the almost infinite The same- variety in their languages, present an interesting ness of subject of speculation to the philosopher : But American inquiry is embarrassed in the outset by a con- , n iani |J! ,. rp,, , , * | j . . dress,shapc tradiction so extraordinary. I he old world is in anc j com . vain resorted to for the solution of this phcenome- piexion. non. Although divided often by seas and almost inaccessible mountains, and still farther re- moved from each other by the restraints of poli- cy; their several languages discover numerous and striking affinities. But the Indians of North America, living in the neighbourhood of ench other ; divided by no seas : although often at peace and alliance, and not unfrequcntly meeting during their hunting, have almost as many lan- guages as there are tribes ; and the affinities be- tween their languages are neither striking nor nu- merous. THE formation of language is a process which The'almosi requires time and labour. Man arbitrarily gives infinite va- names to the external objects which meet his " ety f senses : But there is yet (although not always no- g^Lf" ticed by him) a connection between the names he assigns them and the most obvious properties of the objects ; and this is more frequently the case with savages, who, overlooking nice and fanciful refinements, attend only to what is clear and expressive. Is it then credible that the In- dians once possessing a common language, af- ter branching out and dividing themselves into colonies for the greater convenience of hunting and fishing, should deliberately abandon their mother tongue, and each tribe or confederacy- frame for itself a new language ; and this too when the manners and customs of their fathers in other respects were religiously observed, and 12 HISTORY OF CHAP, the sensible objects to which new names were * given remained the same. Yet the Americans, Indians spite of this contradiction, had certainly a corn- have a com- mon original. Their nations are too numerous, xnon ongU anc j t h e j f ma nners laws, customs and appearance too uniform to admit a different conclusion. Mr, JEFFERSON reckons up no less than forty nations, which at the first settlement of this state inhabited the country from the sea coast to the mountains; and from the Potomac to the most southern waters oi James river. But what are thtse to the innumerable swarms scattered over this continent, or even that inconsiderable por- tion of it uhich constitutes the Ameiican confe- deiacy. These are all alike distinguished by their straight black hair ; the ir erect and we 11 formed stature ; their grave and taciturn deportment; their war whoop, war dances and war feasts ; their songs when preparing for battle : By their skill and indefatigable patience in tracing and sur- prizing an enemy ; by the use of the tomahawk, and their custom of scalping the dead and wound- ed : But above all, by their incredible fortitude under torture. These are prools too decisive of a common original to admit a doubt on this head, and against them, the varieties of language are but dust in the balance. WHENCE then can have arisen this variety of language ? Is it the work of time ? On such a supposition, reasoning from circumstances in Europe, which attach more forcibly from the na- ture of thtir lives to the Americans, their anti- quity rises higher than even the Chinese sera of creation ; and America is the cradle of tiie hu- man race. Mr. Jeffer- THIS opinion Mr. Jefferson appears not un- " willin S to adu l )t: 5 but respected as must be the authority of a man who has bestowed so much VIRGINIA: 13 aften f ion on this subject, and who has contrived CHAP. t( il imine every subject of which he treats with the mild radiance of a rational philosophy, this opinion will scarcely keep its ground against the numerous and forcible objections to which it is exposed ; and he will doubtless feel less reluc r tance in seeing it refuted, when he reflects how powerfully such a conclusion would go in sup- port of the charges of Kaynal, Robertson and BufFon of an original def ct in the moral and phy- sical faculties of the Indian. INNUMERABLE tribes, enjoying a luxuriant soil, and distributed through a great variety of Why it climate, preserving their barbarism from the be- should not ginning of the world ; treading on mines of gold be adnut- and iron, without having made a single improve- te " ment in the useful or mechanic arts, would but too fatally countenance such an imputation The native American would be the most degraded animal of the human race ; and his conquerors would have but too much reason to lear for their children and posterity. THE naturahst who shall attempt to account for the moral phoenomena which every where pre- sent themselves in this region, by analogies drawn from civilization, must infallibly be disap- pointed. We must not argue from cities to the wilderness; from the philosopher instructed in the knowledge of ages, to the savage, \vhose ex- perience is bounded by the forest in which he is impiisoned. Arts and civilization are the off- spring of hard necessity ; of a confined ternton ; ot hunger and ot thirst. They are nursed and brought to maturity by luxury and wealth. It the earth spontaneously and regularly produced every thing wanting and desirable to m n, hecloujtiess ivould not permit his animal enjoyments tube interrupted by labour. What then were the in- 14 HISTORY OF CHAP, ducements to labour in the American, for whom . the earth spontaneously and liberally yielded her productions. Nature made him free and equal with his fellow : His rude weapons gave him so- vereignty in the forest: rte felt none of the tor- merits arising from artificial refinements: His passions were the impulses of nature, and were gratified almost as soon as they arose. THIS was certainly the life of the first inha- bitants of the earth ; and it is nearly the life of several Arab and Tartar tribes to this day. riow- ever the opinon may shock, it is the natural state of man ; and there is reason to believe, that to the end of the world it had continued to be the life of the American, unless as in the case of the Mexicans, cunning assisted by superstition should cajole him into government ; or their po- pulation should be so enormous as to stimulate their latent energies through apprehensions of want. It is not then because the American is de- ficient in sagacity that he has remained so long in ignorance. He wanted only a motive and occa- sion sufficiently powerful to call him into action. IT is but equal justice to acknowledge at the Cases ap- same time, that as far as experience reaches, the parently in facts appear at first view to favour the French 4 support of philosophers with respect to the Indians at least. onncKan n Notwithstanding an intercourse of two centuries incapacity, with the whites, they still preserve their original rudenes and barbarism, thus appearing as it were to defy the effects of time and the contagious in- fluence of example. FROM a number of instances which may be cited, the following are selected, because one of them passed under the immediate observation of the American people, and the other is authenti- cated by the testimony of a respectable historian, who was himself an eye witness of the fact he re- VIRGINIA. IS latcs. He prefaced it moreover, by observations CHAP. which shew that it was neither singular nor un- ' ... common. AT the close of the revolutionary war, the marquis La Fayette took with him to France the infant son of Corn Planter, a chief of one of the members of that confederacy known by the name of the Six Nations ; principally with a view, it is imagine d, to ascertain the capacity of this race for moral improvement. THE young Corn Planter was instructed by the best masters, and as he advanced in years lived in what is called the best company at Paris. Having attained the age of manhood, he returned to Arm nca with a beautiful woman he had mar- ried. His dress on the morning of his arrival be- spoke the gay and thoughtless Frenchman : On the evening of the same day his powder and silk stockings vanished, and he was found with some Indians, who were then on a visit to the govern- ment, brurall}' drunk and wrapped in his blanket. dE had indeed contracted some habits in Eu- rope, which he found it not so easy to relinquish as his dress. His wife as they travelled onwards towards his tribe, was cruelly abused and desert- ed by him. In this situation she was found by Aaron Burr, on his way from Canada to New York, almost naked and depending for her sub- sistence on berries and wild fruits. " Nor can we say," says Mr. Charlevoix,* " that this is owing to their not being acquainted with our modes of life. Many Frenchmen have tried their way of life, and were so pleased with it, that se- veral of them, though they could have lived very comfortably in the colonies, could never be pre- 16 HISTORY OF CHAP, vailed on to return to it. On the contrary, there . never was so much as a single Indian that could be brought to relish our way of living. Children, have been taken and have been brought up with a great deal of care. Nothing had been omitted to hinder them from having any knowledge of their parents : Yet the moment they have found themselves at liberty they have torn their clothes to pieces, and gone across the woods in quest of their countrymen. An iroquois was even a lieu- tenant in our army ; } et he returned to his own nation, carrying with him only our vices without correcting any of those which he brought along with him."* BUT there is no need to look beyond the state of Virginia for testimony. Governor Spotswoodf * We have never been able to reconcile any of them to the indulgences oi' our way of life; whereas we have seen, some Europeans forego all the conveniences of civil life, go into the forests, and take up the bow and the club of the sa- vage. An innate spirit of benevolence, however, some- times brings them back to us. Raynal's History of America. t And here I must lament the bad success Mr. Boyle's charity has hitherto had, towards convicting any of these poor heathens to Christianity. Many children of our neigh- bouring Indians have been brought up in the college of Wil- liam and Mary. They have been taught to read and write, and been carefully instructed in the principles of the Chris- tian religion, till they came to the age of manhood. Yet, after they returned home, instead of civilizing? and convert- ing the rest, they have immediately relapsed into barbarism and infidelity themselves. And some of them too have made the worst use of the knowledge they acquired among the English, by e.nployiiig it against their benefactorss; be- sides, us they uniiappily forget all the good they learn, and remember the ill, ihey are apt to be more vicious and dis- orderly tiian ttie rest of their countrymen. I ought not to quit this subject wi hout doing justice to the great prudence of col. byotswood in this affair. That gentLman was licut. VIRGINIA. 17 kept in pay teachers among some of the Virginia tribes, and had several children belonging to the sachems as hostages, who were carefully instruct- ed in civilization and humanity. In addition to governor of Virginia when Carolina was engaged in a bloody war with the Indians At that crhical time it was thought expedient to keep a watchful eye upon our tributary savages, who, we knew, had nothing to keep them to their duty but their fears. Then it was that he demanded of each nation a compe- tent number of their great men's children to be sent to the college, where they served as so many hostages for the good behaviour ol the rest, and at the same time were themselves principled in the Christian religion. He also placed a schoolmaster among the Sapponi Indians at the salary of fifty pounds per annum, to instruct their children. The person that undertook that charitable work was Mr. Charles (jiiffin, a man of good family, who by the inno- cence ot his life and sweetness of his temper, was perfectly well qualified for that undertaking. Besides, he had so much the secret of mixing pleasure with instruction, that he did not have a scholar but loved him affectionately. Such taltn.s must needs have been blessed with proportional suc- cess, had he not been unluckily re moved to the college, by which he left the good he had bt gun unfinished. In short, all the pains he had taken among the Indians, had no other effect than to make them something cleanlier than the oiher Indians. I am scrry I cannot yive a better account of the state of the poor Indians with regard to Christianity, although a great deal of pains has been taken and still continues to be taken with them. For my part, I must be of opinion, as I hinted before, that there is but one way of converting these poor infidels and reclaiming them fmm bai buri y, and that is, charitably to intermarry with them according to the modem policy of the most Christian king of Canada and Louisiana. Had the English done this at the first settlement of the co- lony, the infidelity of the Indians had been worn out at this day, with their dark complexions, and the country swarmed with people more than it does with insects. It was certainly an unreasonable nicety that prevented their entering into so good natured an alliance. All na- c 18 HISTORY OF CHAP, this a donation was given by Mr. Boyle of En- * gland for the instruction of the Indians and their "" conversion to Christianity.* Yet not in a single instance were these efforts successful. THE$E must certainly be allowed to be fair ex- periments ; but a thousand such facts should not Why in- be permitted to outweigh principles which we find conclusive, every where uniform in nature. To suppose the Indian incapable, by reason of his faculties, of improvement, must presuppose some radical de- fect in his organization, which would class him in another species. But perhaps by attentively ex- amining the cases above cited, the solution of A thorough this p ro bi em w in llot be found so difficult. This IteTidiTn examination \\ill necessarily embrace every thing character, relating to the laws, customs and manners of language this people, a subject than which none can be and descent niore curious and interesting. WHAT a field is here presented to the philo- sopher, if instead of bewildering himself in unna- tural speculations concerning the growth and tions of men have the same dignity, and we all know that very bright talents may be lodged under very dark skins. The principle difference between one people and another, proceeds only from the d ff rent opportunities of improve- ment. The Indians by no means want understanding, and are in their figure tail and wtll proportioned; even their copper coloured complexions would admit of blanching, if not at the first, at the furthest, in the second generation. 1 may safely venture to say the Indian women were alto- gether as honest wives for the first planters as the damsels they purchased from aboard the ships. It is strange, therefore, that any good Christian should have refused a wholesome straight bed fellow, when he might have had so fair a portion with her, as the merit of saving her soul. Col. Win. Byrd'a Journal^ MS. jicncs me. * This was called the professorship of Brafferton, from an estate of that name in England, purchased with the do- nation. VIRGINIA. 1 origin of society, drawn from times and manners CHAP, which will not countenance his analogy, he as- r y cends to the cradle of man. The man of the old world is a coin with the date and impression worn out by time and use: The North American is fresh from the mint, or if it be thought a better comparison, he is a coin which has been locked up from circulation, the impression on which is deep and legible. A CORRECT knowledge of this people would thro^v light on the history of man. An accurate investigation of this continent would advance the boundaries of human knowledge. This is the do- main of nature : Here she sports wild amid her innumerable productions. Avarice had not em- bo welled her in quest of gold ; the axe hath not denied her forests : Kings have not ravaged her surface. She is as she came from the hands of the creator, majestic and lovely. ALL the writers who have treated of the new "world, have specially considered this subject ; and although it may appear strange that in an in- quiry so plain and accessible to fair examination, any variance should exist : No two of them agree in the greater number of particulars ; and not one has given a correct and natural picture of the American Indian. IT may appear arrogance to pronounce sen- tence thus boldly on the resptctable historians of the new world ; more especially, as the cen- sure seems to imply a greater correctness or can- dor in myself. Such idle vanity will not be im- puted to me; I lay claim only to equal imparti- ality and industry with my predecessors. The opportunities of acquiring information on this head may have been more favourable to me. The character of this people is better understood since they have enjoyed an uninterrupted and friendly ?0 HISTORY OF CHAP. I. Character of Indian better known than when Dr. Robertson wrote. Dr. Robert son's anuly sis of Indi- an charac- ter and rnaners ex amincd. intercourse with the United States. Their chiefs ^ led by curiosity or business frequently visit our cities, and many of our citizens have travelled and lived amongst them. IT has become of late the policy of our go- vernment to keep agents in their country, and some of the citizens employed in this service, with a zeal and prudence highly deserving praise, have laboured to acquire a correct knowledge ot their character and langu ige. Without this in- formation indeed they had found it impossible to gain or preserve that ascendance in their national councils, which enables them to allay the fierce spirits of this people. That reserve which is thought peculiar to the American Indian is every day slowly giving place to the social feelings, to which this intercourse has given birth ; and sub- jects concerning which superstition or custom had formerly sealed their lips, are now discussed without scruple or apprehc nsion. The advantages arising from this state ot things, I owe to time ; it would be absurd for chance or fortune to lay claim to the re wards of merit. To follow the several writers who have handled . this subject, would be at once uninteresting and impracticable. Mr. Robertson, in his valuable work, the history of America, has given a ra- pid but at the same time perspicuous analysis of . the arguments of his predecessors. His inquiry certainly contains much ingenious deduction, with considerable learning and research ; and I profess myself indebted to him for the knowledge of several interesting particulars, which derive new force from his manner of relating them. But he has been compelled to take most of his in- formation on trust, and he rests with too much confidence on the imposing authority of Raynal and Buffon, and the suspicious testimony of the VIRGINIA: 2 Spanish writers. The former gentlemen, to whom CFT \P. literature is indebted for so many noble senti- *' ments ; for so much profound and elegant infoi ma- tion, framed a theory concerning the moral and phy- sical powers of the Indian, and afterwards went in quest of facts to support it. With every disposi- tion to arrive at the truth, they were contiually led astray by their desire to maintain their hypo- thesis. The diviner is insensibly interested in the fulfilment of his prediction, tor the rest, Mr. Ro- bertson is almost wholly dependent on the Spanish historians, and these almost with the exception of the intelligent Ulloa and the virtuous and intre- pid Le Casa, are incompetent by reason of their prejudices to examine the merits of the question. The scope of their inquiry is in general too nar- row to allow a correct and general decision : they are either the apologists of Spanish cruelties, or they drew their portraits from a people pining in bondage, and whose energies were broken by despair. It will not be thought surprising that Dr. Robertson was compelled to sanction an hy- pothesis supported by the weight of such power- ful authority. IT seems not improper to premise in this place, that all objections which attach equally to every people in the savage state as well as to the Indian, are totally inadmissible. They stt out to prove a peculiar debility in the physical structure and in the moral faculties of the Indian, and evidence .only of this peculiarity can be properly received. THE first subject of iVtr. Robertsons inquiry, is the bodily structure and external appearance of Bodily the Indian ; " they were not only averse to la- bour," says he, " but incapable of it; and when roused by force from their native indolence and compelled to work, they sunk under tasks which Indian, the people of the other continent could have per- 22 HISTORY OF CHAP, formed with ease." Here he manifestly alludes ___ * to the indolent natives of Cuba and Hispaniola, " and the Peruvians, who, before the arrival of the Spaniards, were unacquainted with every species of labour, and who by the Hepartmientos divided amongst brutal task masters, died by thousands of broken hearts. THE admirable symmetry of the Indian form is primaface evidence of an organization without de- fect ; and the inability to endure fatigue, if i= exist any where to the extent alluded to, is only to be ascribed to an habitual and enervating in Jol nee : Indeed, Mr. Robertson concedes this point where he says, " whenever the Americans have been gradually accustomed to hard labour, their con- stitutions become robust, and they have been found capable of performing such tasks as seem- ed not only to exceed the powers of such a frame as has been deemed peculiar to their country, but to equal any effort of the nations of Africa or Europe." " THE beardless countenance and smooth skin His beard- of the American," continues Mr. Robertson, ksscounte- " seem to indicate a defect of vigour occasioned .nance. j^y some v i ce m hi s frame." Whether beard is essential to manhood, is, I suspect, mere matter of conjecture, and until this fact shall be placed beyond doubts by experiment, it is con- ceived unnecessary to argue this charge. Fortu- nately it has an easier refutation ; the fact is not so ; u at the age of puberty the crinose efflores- cence which is deemed essential to manhood dis- covers itself on the body of the Indian as well as other men :* But with them it is disgraceful to be hairy on the body ; they say it likens them to * Carver. VIRGINIA. 23 hogs : They therefore pluck the hair as fast as it CHAP, appears. But the traders, who marry their wo- " men, and prevail on them to discontinue this . practice, say that nature is the same with them as with the whites.* " They pull their beards up," says Mr. Beverley, ; ' by the roots with muscle shells, and both men and women do the same by the other parts of their body for cleanli- ness sake." THE substance of Mr. Jefferson's information is attested b\ Charlevoix and several other wri- ters. As the fact was considered on all sides in- teresting, I have been at some pains of ascertain- ing how it stands without regard to those antipa- thies and partialities, which prevent a fair decision. The result of my observations, derived from ci- tizeiis who have lived among the Indians, and from several other sources equally respectable, esta- blish beyond ail question the fact in favour of this opinion. THE smallnessof their appetite and their insen- Their in- sibilityf to the charms of beauty are next urged sensibility in proof of some feebleness in the framef of the ^ r ^ s O f American Indian : But those points are likewise * Notes on Virginia, p. 140. t Canada, therefore, is not a desert from natural defects,- but the track of life which its inhabitants pursue. Though they are as fit for procreation as cur northern people, all their strength is -mployed for their own preservation. Hun- ger does not allow them to attend to the softer passions. If the people of the south sacrifice every thing to this desire, it is because the first is easily satisfied. In a country where nature is very prolific, and man consumes but little, the overplus of his strength is turned wholly to population,, which is likewise assisted by the warmth of the climate. Raynafs History cf America* page 27. ,j fide Rob. Am* vol. 1, /;. $$ ond 96 L 24 HISTORY OF CHAP. gVen up by Mr. Robertson after a shew of re- . sjstance. Their ignorance of abstract ideas; their bin> and limited acquaintance with the arts ; their indo- the lower lence and aversion to labour, are peculiarities of love* growing rather out of their moral condition than their physical structure. It is also objected to the Indian, that he is a cold and tyrannical hus- band, an unnatural son, a father without sensibi- lity or affection; that he is selfish, treacherous and cowardly. I cannot omit introducing the compendious answer of Mr. Jefferson to these unnatural speculations. 4v MON s. BUFFO N has indeed given an affecting picture of human nature in his description of the man of America. But sure 1 am there never was a picture more unlike the original. He grants indeed that his stature is the same as that of the man of Europe. He might have admitted that the Jroquois were larger, and the Lenopi or De- lawart- s taller than the people of Europe gene- rally are. But he says their organs of generation are smaller and weaker than those of the Europe- ans. Is this a fact ? 1 believe not, at least it is an observation I never heard of before. They have no beard. Had he known the pains and trouble it cost the men to pluck out by the roots the hair that grows on their faces, he would have seen that nature had not been deficient in that re- spect. Every nation has its customs. 1 have seen an Indian beau with a looking glass in his hand, examining his face for hours together, and plucking out by the roots every hair he could dis- cover with a kind of tweezers made of a peice of fine brass wire that had been twisted round a stick, and which he used with great dexterity. They have no aidour for their females. It is true they do not indulge those excesses nor discover that fondness which is customary in Europe; but VIRGINIA. 25 this is not owing to a defect in nature but in man- CHAP, rers. Their soul is wholly bent upon war; this is what procures them glory among the men and makes them the admiration of the women. To this they are educated from their earliest youth. \Yhen they pursue the game with ardour; when the} bear the fatigues of the chase ; when they sustain and suffer patiently hunger and cold, it is not so much for the sake of the game they pur- sue, as to convince their parents and the council of the nation that they are fit to be enrolled in the number of warriors. The songs of the women ; the dance of the warriors ; the sage council of the chiefs ; the tales of the old ; the triumphal entry of the warriors returning with success from battle, and the respect paid to those who distinguish themselves in war and in subduing their enemies ; in short, every thing they see or hear tends to inspire them with an ardent desire for military fame. If a young man were to dis- cover a fondness for women before he' had been to war, he would become the contempt of the men and the scorn and rebuke of the women; or were he to indulge himself with a captive taken in war, and much more were he to offer violence in order to gratify his lust, he would incur inde- lible disgrace. The seeming frigidity of the men, therefore, is the effect of manners and not of na- ture. Besides, a celebrated warrior is oftener courted by the females, so that he has no occasion to court, and this is a point of honour which the men aim at. Instances similar to that of Ruth and Boaz* are not uncommon among them. For * When Boaz had eaten and drank, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the heap of corn, and Ruth came softly and uncovered his feet and laid her down. D Ruth, 3. 7. 26 HISTORY OF though the wometi are modest and diffident, and so bashful that they can seldom lift up their eyes and scarce ever look a man full in the face, yet being brought up in great subjection, custom and manners reconcile them to a mode of acting, which judged of by Europeans, would be deem- ed inconsistent with the rules of female decorum and propriety. I once saw a young widow whose husband had died about eight days before, hast- ing to finish her grief, and who by tearing her hair, beating her breast and drinking spirits, made the tears flow in greatest abundance, in order that she might grieve much in a short space of time, and be married that evening to another warrior. The manner in which this was viewed by the men and women of the tribe who stood round silent and solemn spectators of the scene, and the indifference with which they answered my ques- tions respecting it, convinced me that it was no unusual custom. I have known men advanced in years, whose wives were old and past child bearing, take young wives and get children, though the practice of polygamy is not common* Does this savour of frigidity or want of ardour for the female ? Neither do they seem to be defi- cient in natural affection. 1 have seen both fa- thers and mothers in the deepest affliction when their children have been dangerously ill, though I believe the affection is stronger in the descend- ing than the ascending scale, and though custom forbids a father to grieve immoderately for a son slain in battle. That they are 'timorous and cow- ardly,' is a character with which there is little reason to charge them, when we recollect the manner in which the Iroquois met Mons. , who marched into their country, in which the old men who scorned to fly or survive the capture of their town, braved death like the old Romans VIRGINIA; 2 in the time of the Gauls, and in which they soon CHAP, after revenged themselves by the sacking and burning of Montreal. " BUT above all the unshaken fortitude with which they bear the most excruciating tortures and death when taken prisoners, ought to ex- empt them from that character : Much less are they to be charactized as a people of no vivacity, and excited to war or motion only by the call of hunger and thirst. Their dances, in which they so much delight, and which to an European would be the severest exercise, fully contradict this, not to mention the long marches and the toils they cheerfully and voluntarily undergo in their military expeditions. It is true that when at home they do not employ themselves in labour or the culture of the soil, but this again is the effect of custom and manners which has assigned that TO the province of the women. Rut it is said they are averse to society and a social life.. Can any thing be more inapplicable than this to a people who always live in towns or clans ? or can they be said to have no republic, who conduct ail their affairs in national council ;, who pride themselves on their national character ^ who consider an in* suit or injury done to one individual by a stran- ger as done to the whole, and resent it accord- ingly ? In short, this picture is not applicable to any nation of Indians I have ever known or heard of in North America. The Indian of North America being more within our reach, I can speak of them some what from my own know^ ledge, but more from the information of others better acquainted with him, and on whose truth and judgment I can rely. From these sources I am able to say, in contradiction to the represent- ation, that he'is neither more defective in ardour, or more impotent with his female than the white 28 HISTORY OF reduced to the same diet and exercise. That he is brave when an enter prize depends on bravery ; v education with him making the point of honour consist in the destruction of his enemy by stra- tagem and the preservation of his own person free from injury ; or perhaps this is nature, while it is education teaches us to honour force more than finesse ; that he will defend himself against an host of enemies, always choosing rather to be killed than surrender, though it be to the whites f who he knows will treat him well ; that in other situations also he meets death with more deliberation, and endures tortures with a fin ness unknown almost to religious enthusiasm with us. ''THAT he is affectionate to his children, care- ful of them and indulgent in the extreme ; that his affections comprehend his other connections, weakening as with us from circle to circle as they recede from the centre ; that his friendships are strong and faithful to the uttermost extremity ; that his sensibility is keen, even the warriors weeping most bitterly on the loss of their chil- dren,- though in general they endeavour to appear superior to human events ; that his vivacity and activity of mind is equal to ours in the same situ- ation : Hence his eagerness for hunting and his fondness for games of chance. The women are submitted to unjust drudgery. This I believe is the case with every barbarous people ; with such force is law. The stronger sex, therefore, impose on the weaker. It is civilization alone which replaces women in the enjoyment of their natural equality. That first teaches us to sub- due the selfish passions, and to respect those rights in others which we value in ourselves. Were we in equal barbarism, our females would ifc equal drudgery. The man with them is VIRGINIA; 39 less strong than with us, but their women stronger CH \P. than GUIS, and both from the same obvious rea sonb : Because our men and their women are ha- bituated to labour and formed by it. With both n ces the sex which is most indulged with ease is least athletic. An Indian man is small in the hand and wrist for the same reason for which a sailor is large and strong in the arms and should- ers, and a porter in the legs and thighs. They raise fewer- children than we do: The causes of this are to be found not in any difference of na- ture, but of circumstances. The women very fre- quently attend! ; g the men in their parties of war and hunting, ch;ld bearing becomes extremely inconvenient to them. It is said, therefore, that they have procured abortions by the use of some vegetable, and that it even extends to prevent conception for a considerable time after. Dunng these parties they are exposed to numerous hard- ships, to excessive exertions and to the greatest extremities of hunger. Even at home the nation depends for food through a certain part of the year on the gleanings of the forests, that is to say, they experience a famine once in every year. With all animals, if the females be badly fed or not fed at all, the young perish , and if both male and female be reduced to like want, generation be- comes less active, less productive. To the ob- stacles then of want and hazard which nature has opposed to the multiplication of wild animals for the purpose of restraining their number within certain bounds, those of labour and voluntary abortion are added with the Indian. No wonder then if they multiply less than we do. Where food is regularly supplied, a small farm will show more of cattle than a whole country can of buf- faloes. The same Indian women, when married to white traders who feed them and their children 30 HISTORY OF CHAP, plentifully and regularly, who exempt them from excessive drudgery, who keep them stariqnuiy and not exposed to accident, produce and raise as many children as white women. Instances are known under these circumstance s of dieir raising a dozen children. An inhuman practice once prevailed in this country of making slaves ot the Indians.) It is a fact well known with us, that the Indian women so enslaved produced and raised as numerous families as either the whites or blacks among whom they lived.'* IT is a singular fact that almost all these de- The same fects and vices were formerly objected to the Spartans by their enemies. They were alter- nately ferocious,* selfish or cowardly ;f insensi- ble to the charms of beauty ; fond of destt o} ing their neighbours ; dullj and inactive in times of peace; full|| of perfidy and dissimulation in their dealings and treaties ; delighting^ in war as af- fording them an intermission of labour; unsoci- able** in their private intercourse ; austereft an$ often inhuman in their treatment to their chil- dren ; ungallantfj and barbarous in their man- vices had Spartans. * Plato de leg. l.t.l.fi. 630; lib. 4. 705,. t Pericles afi Thucyd. lib. 2. cap. 37. \ Herodotus lib. 1. cafi. 66, |j Eurifi. in Andrvm. r. 446. jirisiojihanes inpace^ v. et 1067; in Lycisf. v. 630. Tf Passim in historia. ** Pcricl. aii Thucyd. lib. 2. cafi. 37. ft Ibid. JJ Platodeleg. lib. 7.t. ll.fi. 806. VIRGINIA. $ ners ; enemies* to the arts of elegance and re- CHAP, finement, and like the beasts of the field, station- ary in their understanding, f Yet this little com- munity of savages have astonished the world by their achievements, and have bequeathed to pos- terity the most sublime examples of patriotism and glory. The Indians, like the Spartans, might reply to their enemies by the remark of the lion, who, when he was shewn the figure of an animal of his own species at the feet of a man, contented himself with observing that lions were not sculptors. "J AN ordinary observer, who is acquainted with their history, cannot avoid being struck with the close resemblance between the customs and manners of the two people. The fact is men- tioned not with any view of building any theo- ries of a common original on this coincidence. Such an idea would be indeed preposterous. BUT it may serve to abate the prejudices which several ing.-nious men have circulated against the Indians, by shewing that in the great leading points of their character they are almost identi- fied with a people, who lived in the midst of po- lished communities, unaffected by their arts or re- finements ; preserving for. ages their primitive manners, notwithstanding the wide and intimate intercourse which they held with all the Grecian cities and the dominions of Persia. IF the Spartans, surrounded by innumerable temptatations and^ inducements and always pos- * Plato de leg. lib. 7.t. ll.fi. 806. t Plutar. Jfioth.in Lycurg. t. l.fi. 52. Ide.m Jfi&th. cont.t. 11. /i. 217. is, fi. 50, vol. S. HISTORY OF CHAP, sessing- the power and means to alter their condi- tion, held firmly notwithstanding, to the maxims and manners of their fathers, the main objection, to the capacity of the Indian for improvement va- nishes ; all the arguments applying with ten fold force in favour of a people for an infinite number of ages, separated from the world, and who in the short glimpse they had of the arts and civilization of Europe, witnessed only the most enormous vices. IF in viewing this subject, owing to the frailty of human judgment, I should be thought to be led astray by a rage for hypothesis, I can at least promise that my mode of treating it shall be fair and impartial. The authorities on which this coincidence of manners is imagined to be found, shall be accurately quoted and the reader may decide for himself if it be actual or merely imaginary. THE first point of resemblance between the Indians and Spartans, is their respect for old age; their profound respect and deference for the per- sons and opinion of the elders of their nations. To this sentiment amongst both there is neither exception, or qualification : The war chief loaded with scalps and the commanders of phalanxes being alike under its controul. *' EVERY nation," says Carver, speaking of the Indians, " pays great respect to old age. The ad- vice of a father will seldom meet with any extra- ordinary attention from the young Indians : Pro- bably they receive it with a bare assent : But they will tremble before a grandfather imd submit to his injunction with the utmost alacrity: The words of the ancient part of their community are esteemed by the young men as oracles. If they take in their hunting parties any game that is reckoned by them uncommonly delicious, it is Their're- spect for old age. VIRGINIA. 33 immediately presented DV them to the eldest of CHAP. their relations. Nothing, says Charlevoix, can ex- ceed the respect of the young |>eople to the aged. " Old age," sa\ s the elegant author of Anacharsis, " in o^hcr countries devoted to contempt, raises a Spartan to the summit of honour.* The other citi- zens and especially the youth, pay them all the re- spect, \\hich they will in their turn require to be paid to themselves. The law obliges them to give way to the aged man wherever they meet him, to rise to him whenever he enters where they are, and to keep silence when he speaks. He is heard with deference in the assemblies of the people and in the halls of the gymnasium. " To multiply further the prx>fs of their corres- pondence in this p ;int would be ouh a waste of time. It is sufficient that it is established by the admis-ion ot the satiiisisof those people THE stoical indiftlrer.ee; the apparent extin- Thtirstoi- guishment of all natural affection hi the passion c! u differ* of patriotism, is alike observable in the Indian and Spartan. " \our son is killed \\-ithoutquit- ting his ranks," said some person to a Spartan mother. " Let him he buried," was her an- swer, " and let his brother take his place." Ano- ther was told her five sons were slain. " I do not come," said she, " to inquire of them, but \vhether my country has any thing to fcar."| If you inform an Indian that his children ;" -T? Ca '7e- 38 HISTORY OF CHAP, because they will not check that free and martial spirit, which is one day to constitute their nrinci. pal.character. " The children of savage>," adds Charlevoix, " when they leave their cradle are not lievcd when you left Quebec thai the sun had burnt up all the forests which render our country inaccessible to the French, or that the lakes had so fur overflown their banks that they had surrounded our castles, and that it was i in pos- sible for us to get out of them. Yes, Yonnondio, surely you must have dreamt so, and the curiosity of seeing so great a wonder has brought you so iar. No'v you are undeceived, since I and the warriors here present are come to assure you that the Senekas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Onei- lest the drunken Indians should knock them on the head. Our warriors have not beavers enough to pay for all the arms that they have taken, and our old men are not afraid a! the war. This bell preserves my words. We carried the English into cur lakes to trade with the Utawawas and Quato^hies, as VIRGINIA. 39 confined in any manner, and as soon as they can crawi upon their hands and feet, they let them go where they will, quite naked into the water, into the woods, into the dirt and into the snow, the Adrondacks brought the French to our castles to cany on a trade which the English say is their's. We are born free ; we neither depend on Yonnonclir nor Corltar. We may go where we please, and carry with us whom we please, and buy and sell what, we please: If your allies be your slvfi, use them as buch ; command them to receive no other but. your people. This belt preserves my words. We knocked the TwicktWics and Chictaghicks on the head, because they had cut down the trees of peace, which were the limits of our country. They have hunted beavers on our land. They have acted contrary to the customs of all Indians, foi they took none of the beavers alive; they killed both maic and temale. They broi.glit the Saiaius into iheir country lotake part with thtm after they had con- ceived ill designs against us. We have done lessthan either the English or French ; they have usurped the lands ot so many Indian nations and 'chased them irom their own coun- try. This belt preset ves my words. Hear, Yonnondio, what 1 say is the voice of all the Five Nations. Hear what they answer , open your ears to what they speak. The Se- ntkas Cayugas, Onondagab, O'lCicias ai.d Mohawks say, that vviien they buried the hatchet at Cadarckut (in the j>re- Sciice ci' youi predecessor) in the middic ot the tort, they planted l he tree of peace in the same place, to be there- care- fully 4 >rLhei\ed ; that in case ol letiear for soldiers that fort nuj;ni LK- a rcndezvr us tor merctiun:* ; that in piacc ol arms and anununilion of war, bi overs and rnercnuiuit^c should oi.iy enter Hit re. i% Htar, Y nnnndio ; take care for the future that so great a number ot aoiditrs as app.ar there do i?ot rhoak the tree ol peace plaii'ed in so sn^aii a tort. It would be a great loss ii jfier it had MJ eas.lytaktii HK>t, you sluKiid sir.;; is growllt and prevent Us covciin^ y-ur courary and our's with it* brancncs I assint v u in the name of ti>c Five Naiions, Ihui our wuriiotb shal! tiance to the c;.luintt >l peace under Ub leaves, aiui bi.ail remain c:iuei on ;ht.ir malb, and shall never dug up tue n.u het t:il t .eir u'eituxn, Yonnondio oc * Indian names for (/;? ^overwore of Vtnadtand A. England. 40 HISTORY OF CHAP, which makes their bodies strong, their limbs supple, and hardens them against the t filets of the air." The treatment of the young Spartan, as given by ftnacharsis, would equally stand for the Indian. " His delicate limbs,' 1 says he, " are not confined with bands which prevent their mo- tions ; no care is taken to stop his tears, but the}' are never excited by menaces or blows. He is accustomed by decrees to solitude, darkness and the greatest indifference in the choice of eat- ables. He is alike stranger to the impressions of terror, listless restraints and tmjnst reproaches. Continually occupied in innocent sports, he en- joys all tl:e sweets ol life, and his happiness hast- ens the expansion of the powers of his body and the fboullics of his mind." Their mill- Do rot rheir military habits and customs pre- taiy habits ciselv correspond ? War with both is a season of an: cus- festivity. For then were immediately suspended toms. those manual labours, which were looked upon as beneath the dignity of freemen. " IT is not in this mournful way," says Kay- nal, " that the savages meet victory. They march out in the midst of festivity, singing and dancing ; the young married women follow their Corlear, shall either jointly or separately endeavour to attack the u-ujitry \\hich the Great Spirit has i^ivcn to our ances- tors. This belt preserves my words, and this other the au- thority which ihe Five Nations has ^iven me." Then Garaogttla addressing himself to Muns. Le Main, said, " Take courage, Chinese, you have spirit; speak, ex- plain my words; forget nothing ; tell all that your brethren and friend say to Yonrondio, your governor, by the mnuth of Garnngula, who loves you and desires you in u< vcpt of thit> present of beaver, -''nd t>,ke pu:t with nv in nv least to which I imiu y,n TI is present is sent to Yonnonciio on the, pail of the 1-ivt Nations.'* VIRGINIA. husbands for a day or two; but without shewing any signs of grief or sorrow. These women, who never once cry out in the pangs of childbed, would scorn to soften the minds of the defenders and avengers of their country by their tears or even by their endearments." Anacharsis thus describes the preparations for battle among the Spartans: " On the day of battle, the king, in imitation of Hercules, sacrifices a she goat, while the Byte- players play the air of Castor : He then sings the hymn of battle, which all the soldiers with their brows girt with crowns, repeat in con- cert." BOTH the Spartans and Indians in their wars Bothprefet prefer art and stratagem to force. Nor does this stratagem proceed, as has been insinuated, from any want to force * oi courage : But because the life of a citizen was valued at a high rate, and their commu- nities being small, it would be impossible in the inidst of incessant wars, to preserve them, without such a maxim, from extermination. " It is true," says Charlevoix speaking of Iri'dians, " that in their wars they expose themselves as little as may be, because they make it their chief glory never to buy the victory at a dear rate ; and because of their nations not being numerous they have made it a maxim not to weaken them t But when they must fight, they encrease their strength and cou- rage. They have been in many actions with our brave men, who have seen them perform things almost incredible." WITH the Spartans too, " the success which has been obtained by prudence is preferred to that which is gained by bravery only." STILL more striking is their coincidence in Their ties the manner of forming and preserving the ties of friend- of friendship. "Then it is," says Anacharsis, shl P- 42 HISTORY OF CHAP. that they (the Spartans) begin to contract those intimate connexions, which are little known in other countries, and more pure in Lacedemon than in the othtr cities of Greece. It is permit- ted to each of them to receive the assiduous at- tentions of a virtuous young man, attracted by the charms of beauty and the still more powerful charms of virtue, of which beauty is the em- blem. The youth of Sparta is thus as it were di- vided into two classes, the one consisting of those who love, and the other of those who are be- loved. The first, destined to serve as models to the second, carry even to enthusiasm a sentiment, which produces the most noble emulation, and which with the transports of love, is in reality only the passionate tenderness of a father for his child, or the ardent friendship of a brother for his brother." " THE ties of friendship," says Raynal, " among the savages are almost as strong as those of nature, and .more lasting. These are never broken by that variety of clashing interests which in our societies weaken even the tenderest and -most sacred connexion. There the heart of one man choos.es another in which he deposits his in- most thoughts, his sentiments, his projects, his sorrows and his joys. Every thing becomes common between two friend;; ; their union is for lile. They fight side by side, and if one fall, the other constantly dies upon his friend's body. If they are separated in some imminent danger^ each calls upon the name of his friend ; each in* vokcs his spirit. This is his tutelar deity." .WITH Loth, war was a season oi rest and plea- sure.* The contempt of cowardice and the pe- * The intervals of the day are past in different amuse- ments j for they are then subjected to fewer labours than VIRGINIA. 43 nalties attached to it, were the same with both. CHAP. Their equality ; their disinterestedness ; their * ' refusal to portion their daughters ; their respect " for the laws and their ancient manners ; their cus- tom of destroying their deformed children, were precisely the same. ' THE general portrait of American manners General will serve for the Indian of Virginia. In every Portrait W H1 lineament the resemblance is complete. To re- y- rve view, therefore, each step on the scale would be a ir ^ n ' vain and useless repetition. Suffice it to say that the character of their faces, their persons and man- ners, is the same. There are, notwithstanding, several incidents in the history of Virginia, which having passed immediately under the observation of the whites, will tend to confirm the correct- ness of the portrait, and have the effect perhaps of removing all scepticism on this subject. IT will be certainly granted that the official acts of our state governments during their colonial and independent existences, and -their talks and treaties with this people, afford a proof of a nature the least suspicious and unquestionable. It will be conceded at the same time, that no vernments on earth have an equal opportunity of observation and intercourse with them. The In- dians subject to the Spanish governments in North and South America are, it is true, beyond com- parison more numerous : Thev live moreover in tlie midst of their conquerors* But these Indians have lost almost all distinct traces of thtir origi- nal manners; they have in general abandoned the hunter state: They are workers in the mines; they are cultivators, mercha t or artisans: But they were before they sook the nek! : Itnu-y be ^akl that war h to them a time of leisure and rest. 44 HISTORY OF CHAP, above all, they are slaves. With them the rude virtues of their ancestors are forgotten. With the exception of the natives of Chili and a few roving tribes, this is a just picture of the Spanish Indians. These are certainly improper subjects for a fair examination. THE Indians in the vicinity of the United States, on the other hand, together with their in. dependence, preserve their original character and manners, and even their language. Their chiefs, as I have before stated, led by business or at- tracted by curiosity, visit our cities ; and the wise policy of our government keeps regular agents amongst them, with the double view of securing their friendship and improving their condition. Here then we have the subject to be examined, together with the occasion and the means for a fair investigation, IT may not be improper to state, that a plan of Plan of In- improvement for the Indians was drafted during ciyili- t | ie administration of Mr. Washington, which with some interruption has been constantly in operation to this day. It was conceived by coL Ha*wkins of North Carolina, a man, by his pati- ence, temper and sagacity, admirably calculated for so arduous and delicate an employment. The history of this mission I have from the mouth of this gentleman ; and the picture of Indian manners is drawn from materials obligingly furnished by him. They were not indeed so ample as I could have wished, Mr. Hawkins having been able to spare but a short time to this communication. I have his promise, that at no distant day he will transmit a more full and satisfactory account of all the peculiarities of custom, of laws and man- ners among this people. His project to introduce civilization, he re- presents to have beuiatone time hopeless.. VIRGINIA; 45 ing 1 announced to the Creek nation the object of CHAP. his mission, he was able, after repeated disap- I " pointments and mortifications, to procure at length an assembly of the nation. By the means of a female interpreter, whom he was obliged previously to instruct in the elements of English, he slowly and perspicuously developed his plan of civilization : What must have been his feel- ings, when, instead of the approbation he had rea- son to expect, each) section of his report was sa- luted by a rudeness which decency cannot name ? THE same contempt of the plan proposed was manifested at succeeding meetings. The san- guine temper of the projector, added to his ad- mirable patience and address, alone prevented a total and immediate failure. By well timed pre- sents to the chiefs ; by a marked and flattering attention to the women, who have considerable weight in this and the neighbouring tribes ; by the intrinsic value of the plan itself, and the excellent capacity cf the people to whom it was addressed ; but chiefly by the unvarying amenity of his face and manners, he first procured silence and attention, and gradually established conviction. The dawn of civilization begins to appear. By a vase and liberal policy, mechanic tools and in- struments of husbandry are distributed amongst the most industrious and deserving. An excellent breed of cattle range along the extensive prairies with which this country abounds : The other do- mestic animals are introduced, and, at the time I am now writing, the Creeks and their neighbours are approaching the social state with a rapidity of which there is no example in the annals of man- kind. CONTRASTED with a policy so noble, how sink the petty expedients, the puerile and wicked ambi- tion oi kings. Here we see government, according HISTORY OF The com- figure o^ n the Indian. to its true and original intendment, resolving it- self into a scheme of ethics : Instead of ravaging the earth ; burning its cities and murdering its inhabitants, we behold it reclaiming the horrid wilderness to culture, audits roving savage to arts and humanity. How consoling to humanity; how grateful' to science, must be the success of this experiment. How delightful the sensations of the intelligent projector, who lives amongst them like a father in the midst of his children. The result of his observations oh' their character and manners, together with whatever else I have thought accurate, shall be treated under the pro- per heads, and if they add little that is new or in- teresting, they shall at least reject the rubbish of unnatural conjecture and preserve only what is genuine and authentic. THE face of the Indian when arrived at matu- rity is a dark brown and chesnut. By a free use of bear's grease and a continual exposure to the sun and weather, it becomes harder and darker. This, however, is not the natural complexion. In infancy they are much fairer. * Their hair is almost invariably of a coal black, straight and long ; their cheek bones are high, and their eyes black and full of acharacter of wildness andferocity that mark their unappeasable thirst of vengeance, and their free and uncontrolled indulgence of every fierce and violent passion. But the educa- tion of an Indian, which commences almost with * " They are very swarthy," says Charl^voix speaking of the Canadians, "and of a dirty dark red But this is not their natural complexion. The frequent frictions they use gives them this red, and it is surprising that they are not blacker ; being continually exposed to the smoke in winter, to the great heat in summer, and^n all seasons to the incle-r inencies of the air." 47 his birth, teaches him that dissimulation, which CHAP. masks the thought and smooths the countenance, *' is the most useful of virtues ; and there is a con- tinual effort to check the fierce sallies of the eye and keep down the consuming rage of his bosom. His eye, therefore, is generally averted or bent downwards : The terrible complacency of the ti- ger is no inapt illustration of an Indian visage. THE figure of an Indian is admirably proper- His figure, tioned beyond any thing that has hitherto been seen of the human form. Tall, straight; their muscles hardened by the continual action of the weather ; their limbs supple by exercise and per- haps by the use of oil, they outstrip the bear and run down the buck and the elk. No such thing is to be found as a dwarfish, crooked, bandylegged, or otherwise mishaptn Indian.* A circumstance so uncommon, which appears thus to put a check on the gambols and irregularities of nature , has been attempted to be accounted for in various ways. The speculations of Dr. Robertson contain every- thing which has been said on the subject. *' SOME authors search for the cause of this appearance in their physical condition. As the parents are not exhausted or over fatigued with hard labour, they suppose that their children are born vigorous and sound. They imagine that in the vigour of savage life, the human bodv naked and unconfined from its earliest age, pre- serves its natural form, and that all its limbs and members acquire a juster proportion than when fettered with the artificial restraints which stint its growth and distort its shape. Something, without doubt may be ascribed to the operation of these causes, but the true reasons of this appa- * fievcrley, Hist. Virg.p. 140. i8 HISTORY OF CHAP, rent advantage which is common to all savage L nations lie deeper and are closely interwoven with " the natnre and genius of that state. The infancy of man is so long and helpless that it is extremely difficult to rear children in rude nations. Their means of subsistence are not only scanty but pre- carious; such as live by hunting must range over extensive countries, and shift often from place to place ; the care of children as well as every other laborious task devolves upon the women. The distresses and hardships of the savage life, which are often such as can hardly be supported by per- sons in lull vigour, and must be fatal to those of more tender age. Afraid of undertaking a task so laborious and of such long duration as that of rearing their offspring, the women in some parts of America procure frequent abortions by the use of certain herbs, and extinguish the first sparks of that life which they are unable to che- rish. Sensible that only stout and well formed children have force of constitution to struggle through such an hard infancy, other nations aban- don or destroy such of their progeny as appear feeble or defective, as unworthy of their protec- tion. Even when they endeavour to rear all their children without distinction, so great a propor- tion of the whole number perish under the rigor- ous treatment which must be their lot in the sa- vage state, that few of those who labour under any original frailty attain the age of manhood."* Thepowers THE pow r er and qualities of their minds are and qiialw su( ,h as we should expect from their state of so- mind. ciet > r - In a state of nature the mir d of man dif- fers but little from the animals around him. Oc- cupied in supplying his wants or gratifying his Tol. % fl. T VIRGINIA; 49 resentments, he has but little time or inclination CHAP. for the labours of calculation or the refinements L of abstraction. The sensible objects with which he is most conversant impress themselves on his memory in the order and degrees of their im- portance; but their classification and the faculty of generalizing them by an idea and term that shall take in all the particulars and classes, are the result of deep thought and intense reflection. For this, leisure and application are necessary. But the time of the Indian after returning suc- cessful from the chace or victorious from the bat- tle, is too valuable to be employed in such trifles. His duty it is, to spread the feast ; to hear the praises of the old men and the congratulations of the women ; to attend the great council of the na- tion and to sing the history of his own exploits : If any time remain after discharging those duties, he exercises himself in shooting the arrow or throwing the tomahawk ; or stretched at length along the grass enjoys that luxury of indolence which constitutes the supreme blessing of his ex- istence. THE idea of numbers is therefore very limited among the tribes. Some of them can reckon a thousand, while others cannot exceed ten : To express any greater number they are compelled to resort to something indefinite. As numerous as the pigeons in the woods or the stars in the heavens, is a mode of expression for any greater number. For the same reason their language has no term for the abstract ideas of time, space, universal, &.c. There is however a conjecture, which if true, will prove that the Indians of Virginia had a more copious arithmetic. It is suggested that Tomocomoco or Uttomacco- mac was sent to England by Powhatan, for G SO HISTORY OF the purpose of procuring an exact account of the number of the people of England, Tomocomoco made the attempt till his arithmetic failed, but before he would be sent on such an errand, he must have been abte to reckon the Powhatans, and these according even to the lowest estimates amounted to eight thousand. They have at the same time a method of obviating this want by hyeroglyphics or sensible representations, which combine at the same time the elements of draw- ing and arithmetic ; an account of which is thus given by Raynal.* " Ihfi conqueror leaves his hatchet on the field of battle, having previously engraven upon it the marks of his nation, that of his family, and especially his own picture ; that is to say, an oval with the figures marked on his own face. Others pj.iut all these ensigns of honour, or rather trophies of victory, on the stump of a tree, or on a piece of the bark, with coal mixed up with several co- lours. To this they add not only the history of the battle, but of the whole campaign, in hyero- giyphic characters. Immediately after the gene* ral's picture are those of his soldiers, marked by so m.iny lines ; the number of prisoners pointed out by so many little images, and that oi the dead by so many human figures without heads. Such art the expressive and technical signs which in all original societies have preceded the art of wriijng and printing, and the voluminous libra- ries which fill the palaces of the rich and idle, and encumber the heads of the learned " YET is this prople, thus rude and unlettered, full of genius and the most admirable capacity for peace or war. It is truly astonishing to see * Raynal's History of Americ^ jiage 4 1 VIRGINIA: the patience and address with which they manage the most important treaties : VViih what accuracy they divide their discourse under several heads ; never omitting an} thing interesting or impor- tant to the purpose, embellishing it as thty pro- ceed with touches of native delicacy and senti- ments that often rise into the sublime ; and how without any knowledge of the principles of gram- mar there should be often found so much point and precision in their language. The eloquence of their speeches it may be safely affirmed has never been matched by the productions of any people in a corresponding state of society. IT is owing to che same causes that tliey have made but few improvements in the useful aits. Iron But few im- has been thought necessary to the progress of ci- provements vilization, and an ignorance of the uses of this in us valuable metal an infallible index to a state of ex- arts trtme rudeness and barbarism. Vet the Indians of this continent were ignorant of the Ui>e of iron. Instigated by no wants ; impelled by no neces- sity ; satisfied with the rich productions, which they found scattered profusely on the surface ; regarding indolence next to war as the chief bles- sing : Is it wonderful that thty had not penetrated the bowt is of he tarth, and subjected its pon- derous orts to the tedious and doubtful operation ot lire ?* * " If they have brought noting to perfection anv more than the most sagacious am 'Is, it is probably because tntse people* havirij* no ideas bu su ; as relate to their present wants, the equality that subs' > > between them lays every individual under the necessity of thinking for himself, aiul of spending his whoie lite in acquiring this occasional learning Hence, it may !>t reasonably inft-rr. d, ihat the sum total of ideas in a society of savages is no more than the sum of ideas of each individual." Raynai's History of America, p.. HISTORY OF CHAP. I. No written laws. The cus- toms and jiiar.ners of the Indians IT has been said that the Indian is the most im- provident of animals ; that satisfied with his present enjoyments, he wastes no thought on the mor- row, and that repeated calamities have added no- thing to his care or foresight. This may have been true of some of the tribes in South America or in the islands. The North American, and mort especially the Virginian, always had their public stock hoarded. Powhatan and the other s^ c hems carried on a continual trade with the first cjlonists for corn, and we find that Raleigh, Baltimore and Pain derived their principal sup- port from similar sources. But the quantity of labour and industry required for raising this su- perfluity was comparatively nothing. A few did nor, us in established societies, work for the sup- port of the whole, and for the purpose of ena- bling the rich to vend their surplus commodities in foreign markets. Here every man laboured for himself or for the common stock, and a few days in every 3 ear were sufficient for the maintenance of each ID an, and by consequence, of all the mem- bers of the tribe. 1 HE Indians of Virginia have no written laws, but their customs handed down from age to age in the traditions of their old men have all the force of the best defined and positive institutions. IN or is this respect acquired by the fear of punish- ment. The aborigines of Virginia, whatever may bt pretended, enjoy eel complete freedom. Their sachems made their own tools and instruments of husbandry : They worked in the ground in com- ir-.on with the other Indians. They could enter into no measure of a public nature without the concurrence of the matchacomoco or grand coun- cil ; anel c ven after this body had elecided on the merits of the question, the consent of the peo- ple at large was necessary to sanction their pro- VIRGINIA: 53 ceedings. If the voice of this council be in fa- CHAP. vourof war, the young men express their approba- tion by painting themselves of various colours so ^is to render their appearance horrible to their ene- mies. In this state they rush furiously into the council : They begin the war dance, accom- panying their steps with fierce gestures expres- sive of their thirst of vengeance, and describing the mode in which they will surprize, wound, kill and scalp their enemies. After this they sing their own glories ; they recount the exploits of their ancestors and the ancient glories of their nation. * " WHEJJ any matter is proposed in the na- tional council, it is common for the chiefs of the several tribes to consult thereon apart with their counsellors, and when they have agreed, to de- liver the opinion of the tribe at the national coun- cil, and as their government seems to rest wholly on persuasion, they endeavour by mutual conces- sions to obtain unanimity. Their only controuls are their manners and their moral sense of right and wrong, which like tasting and smelling in every man, makes part of his nature." " AN offence against these is punished by con- tempt, by exclusion from society, or when the case is serious, as in murder, by the individuals whom it concerns, "f * Jeff. dji. sor. t Imperfect, says Mr. Jefferson, as this species of co- ercion may seem, crimes are very rare amongst ihem ; in- somuch that were it made a question, wether no lav/, as among the savag Americans, or too much law, as amcn^ the civilized Europeans, submits man to the greatest evils, one who has seen both conditions of existence would pro- HISTORY OF ' THE Indians of Virginia had no idea of distinct and exclusive property ; the lands were in com- Mode of mon, and every man had a right to choose or reckoning, abandon his situation at pleasure. Their mode of computation, as with us, was by units, tens and hundreds : there is no light on the records by which we may discover its limits or extent. Analogy affords no helps on this occasion. The Iroquois could reckon a thousand, whilst other tribes, almost in their neighbourhood, could count no farther than ten. " THEY reckon their years by winters/ or co- honks as they call them, which was a name taken from the note of the wild geese, intimating so many times of the wild geese coming to them, which is every winter " " THEY distinguish the several parts of the year by five seasons, viz. The budding or blos- soming of the spring; the earing of the corn, or roasting ear time ; the summer, or highest sun ; the corn gathering, or fall of the leaf; and the winter, or cohonks." " THEY count the months by the moons, though not with any relation to so many in a year as we do : But they make them return again by the same name, as the moon of stags, the corn moon, the first and second moon of cohonks." " THEY have no distinction of the hours of the day, but divide it only into three parts, the rise, the power and lowering of the sun ; and they keep their accounts by knots on a string, or notches on a stick, not unlike the Peruvian Quip- ppes."# nounce it to be the last, and that the sheep are happier themselves than under the care of the wolves. Notes, T/rg. page 133. * JBevcrleir* VIRGINIA. 55 As it suiter! the prejudices or theories of wri- ters, the Indian has been represented as an aihe- ist, or Mancr cean ; or to have been impressed Their reli- with notions ol the deity, full of the most won- lon * deriul rtiinenient and sublimity. The most monstrous coniradictions on this head are to be found even when the sume country and the same tribes are the subjects of iheir inquiry. Charle- voix, and in general all the clerical writers, with the exception of father Hcnnpin, pietend to have discovered in their customs and traditionary his- tory, traces ol scripture knowledge, and even glimpses of the gospel. My information on this interesting subject is derived from Mr. Hawkins and an intelligent interpreter, who has lived forty years among the Creeks, and who attended a de- putation of the Creek sachems on a mission to our government. Hib information corresponds exactly with two of the chiefs who were tole- rably versant in English, and whose replies discovered an excellent capacity and a shrewd- ness derived from some acquaintance with the world. THE Indians, according to their concurrent re- port, entertain some vague idea of a pre -existent Their no- cause, whose faculties and attributes are superior to tion of a those of man and other animals : But with them God* this is more a matter of fancy than belief. It is not considered as a necessary tenet : No penalties are conceived to be attached to infidelity either in this world or the next They erect no temples to him ; they seek not to appease his wrath, or solicit his pardon and protection by prayers and sacrifices* They have no days set apart for his worship. They never kneel or prostrate themselves before the sun or any of the other striking emblems of his power and goodness. They return no thanks lor their success in battle or in hunting, or dQ 56 HISTORY OF CHAP, penance for their sins, as being the causes of their * afflictions. But acting in all things as if they were independent and even co-ordinate beings, they scarcely admit his superiority and appear indif- ferent to his resentments. THE causes of this indifference will be found in the Indian character. Man has every where been in the habit of drawing a portrait of the Al- mighty from his own image. The moral attri- butes of this being are also copied from the ope- rations of his own mind. The principal features of the Indian character are his complete equality, his resptct for the rights and independence of others, his sense of his own dignity, and his con- tempt of the slavish forms of ceremon) in use in ci- vilized states. These attributes, by a similar pro- cess, he transfers to his God, and we may rationally inier on those grounds that any extraordinary at- tention would be equally disagreeable to this spi- TheirMas- r j t an( j unworthy of him. The name for this in- f Great* 11 vibiblc bein is ' literally translated, Master Breath, Spirit^ or the cause of breath, by which, they mean life to other animals. IT is curious to observe among savage nations the almost invariable disposition to spiritualize the deity. One would suppose that the first no- tions of rude beings on this head would be sug- gested by objects of sense. But perhaps a more intimate acquaintance with their language and re- ligion would shew that matter is not wholly ex- cluded from their idea of a Supreme Being. THE Iroquois and other nations of North America, with the exception of the Mexicans and Natchez, called this being by the title of the Great Spirit, and some of the finest flights of their eloquence have allusion to the agency qf this being* VIRGINIA* 57- TH EIR ideas of a future state are equally CHAP, vague and uncertain. They believe that those _ who have been distinguished as successful hun- ters or hardv warriors, or such as have figured in the national council, will be treated with mark- ed attention by the Master Breath on their arri- val in the region of spirits ; and that this Being will afford them every assistance in forming an establishment in their new country : But that the cowards, or as they call them, the old women, will be punished by neglect and contempt, and obliged to shift for themselves. Here again we behold the anxiety of man to transfer his institu- tions to heaven Contempt and an exclusion from society were the principal penalties in an 1: uin community, and their Master Breath in their theology is made to discharge the duties of an Indian sachem or matchocomoco. BUT whatever may be entertained of the sub- stance of their deity, they have taken care to fill their paradise with every object gratifying ta the sense. Clear rivers, abounding in delicious fish ; woods ever green and affording a haunt to* the deer, the elk, the wild turkey and the buf- faloe ; a serene sky ; beauty glowing with eternal youth unsusceptible of decay, and presenting in- cessan ly virgin pleasures ; manhood strung with a vigour untired, and renewed by enjoyment; These are the enviable qualities of the world of spirits. IF we believe the accounts of Smith and Be- verley, the Indians of Virginia were grossly su- perstitious and even idolatrous. According to them they have a sensible representation of the deity, whose titles indifferently were Okee, J^///- opcos, or Khvasa, as a sanctuary for w r hich they have erected temples, or quioccasan. But if this H 58 HISTORY OF CHAP, were any thing more than a fable some traces of .' it would be found amongst the Ordering Indians, cr more particularly among the immediate de- scendants of this people. The Tuscuroras, the Nanticos, the Conoies and Tuteloes, who with other tribes emigrated westward, would have preserved some tradition "at least of opinions so novel and extraordinary. " THEY do not look on it as one being," says Beverley, " but reckon there are many of the same nature ; they likewise believe there are tu- telar deities in every town."* This seems to sa- vour of the heathen mythology : Yet notwith- standing this he says : ALTHOUGH they have no set days for per- forming the rites of religion, they have a number of festivals which are celebrated with the utmost festivity. " They solemnize a day for the plen- tiful coming of their wild fowl, such as geese, ducks, teal, &c. for the returns of their hunting seasons, and for the ripening of certain fruits : But the greatest annual festival they have is at the time of their corn gathering, at which they re- vel several days together. To these they univer- sally contribute, as they do to the gathering of the corn : On this occasion they have their greatest variety of pastimes, and more especially of their war dances and heroic songs ; in which they boast that their corn being now gathered, they have store enough for their women and children, and have nothing to do but go to war, travel and to seek for new adventures." THERE is a second annual festival, conducted with still greater solemnity. It commences with a fast, which exceeds any thing of abstinence * Hist. Wrg.fa 160, VIRGINIA. . known among the most mortified hermits* This CHAP, fast is succeeded by a feast. The old fire is put ^ J^;_ out, and a new fire called the drill fire elicited by * the friction of two pieces of wood. They sprin- kle sand on the hearths, and to make the lustra- tion complete, an emetic is taken by the whole nation. At this meeting all crimes except mur- der are pardoned, and the bare mention of them afterwards is considered as disreputable. At the close of this festival, which continues four days, a funeral procession commences, the significa- tion of which is that they bury all the past in ob- livion, and the criminals having tasted of the de- coction of casina are permitted to sit down by the men they have injured. THE ceremony of huskanawing returns after 311 interval of fourteen or sixteen years, or more frequently, as the young men happen to arrive at maturity. This is intended as a state of proba- tion preparatory to their being initiated into the class of warriors and counsellors. The candidates are first taken into the thickest part of the forest and kept in close and solitary confinement for se- veral months, with scarcely any sustenance be- side an infusion or decoction of some intoxicating roots. This diet, added to the severity of the dis- cipline, invariably induces madness, and the fit is protracted for eighteen days. During the pa- roxisms they are shut up in a strong enclosure, called an huskanaw pen, " on of which, 1 " says Beverley, " I saw belonging to the Pamaunkie Indians' in the year 1694. It was in shape like a sugar loaf, and every way open like a lattice for the air to pass through." When their doctors suppose they have drunk a sufficient portion of the intoxicating juice, they gradually restore them to their senses by lessening the quantity of th potion, and before they recover their sr.nses they 6 again until the next animal festival. COURTSHIP was short, and like their marriage unembarrassed by ceremony, if the presents of a } ouiig warrior are accepted by his mistress, she is considered as having agreed fo become his wifq, and without any farther explanations to her family, she goes home to his hut. The principles that are to regulate their future conduct are well under- stood. He agrees to perform the more laborious duties of hunting and fishing; of felling the tix-e, erecting the hut, constructing the canoe, and of fighting the enemies of the tribe. To her cus- tom had asigned almost all the domestic duties ; to prepare the food ; to watch over the infancy of the children. The nature of their lives and cir- cumstances added another, which with more pro- priety, taken in a general view, should have been exercised by the male. It belonged to the wo- men to plant the corn, and attend all the other productions of an Indian garden or plantation. But the labour required for raising these ar: was trifling, and the warriors being engaged m hunting and war, had neither leisure nor incli- nation to attend to objects of such inferior con- sideration. To compensate for this seeming hardship or neglect, the women had several valuable privi- leges, that prove their importance and the respect all to be happy ; and we should offend him were we to iive in a perpetual state of constraint and uneasiness. This system agrees with what one of the Miamis said to one ot our missionaries. My wife and I were continually at variance j my neighour disagreed equally with his j we have changed -wives, and, are all satisfied. RaynaTa History of America? ,(> HISTORY OF CHAP, entertained for them by the men. All the ftonours g^ of an Indian community are maternal, and the " children, in the event of a separation, belong to the wife. The husband is considered only as a visitor; and, should any difference arise, he takes up his gun and departs : Nor does this separation entail any disgrace upon the parties. IF any crittit be due to the accounts of our early Influence of historians, the women in the Powhatan contede- ihe women. rac y had considerable weight. Some of the tribes had even female sachems, a regulation which could not have been tolerated by freemen and warriors if, as has been imagined by some histo- ans, they had been regarded only as objects of contempt and ill usage. What agitation and sor- row were not excited by the death of Poca- hontas, and how anxious the inquiries of her fa- mily respecting her health and her feelings, her content and her return ; and in what a touching strain of sublime and unaffected eloquence does the Shawanese chief describe the murder of his wives and his children.* IT appears by the same account that there was a considerable vehemence and ardour of desire among the Virginians. Powhatan had several yowig wives; and as the strongest inducement which could have been held out, he proposed to captain Smith, as a reward for betraying James- town into his hands, fifty young and beautiful wo- men, independent of the territory of Capahowsic. THE climate of Virginia is favourable to the tender impulses of desire ; and the natural abun- dance every where scattered over this del'ghtful region left them at leisure to resign themselves to the indulgence of its delicious pleasures. It was * JVe/e*. VIRGINIA. 63 iio uncommon spectacle to see groups of young CHAP, women almost naked, frisking with wanton mo- desty in the wild gambols of the dance ; whilst the 'voluptuous expression of their eyes and ges- tures invited to soft and tempting dalliance. Even the decent Pocahontas did not disdain to mingle in those pastimes. Crowned with a wreath of leaves and flowers, she sometimes led the cho- rus and presided in the dance.* Nor should this be regarded as a deviation from the rules of mo- desty and innocence. They acted agreeably to the usage of their country and the dictates of na- ture. Every object inspired happiness and con- tent, and their only care was to crowd as many pleasures as possible into the short span of a fieet- ing existence. THE other domestic relations were attended with few of those tender endearments common in other states. An Indian warrior disdained to submit in anywise to the weakness and impotence of sensibility. He hears with an unmoved coun- tenance the death of his father and children, and even the ruin of his nation. Education teaches him the meanness and folly of being affected by any reverses. But though he submits in silence and seeming resignation, his soul is torn with sorrow. This is still more true of the other sex. The women, though they disdained to cry out in the pains of labour, or even in the agonies of death, are often inconsolable for the death of a friend, son or husband, and every day visit their graves. THE political condition of the Indians of Vir- ginia, like that of all the Indians of North Ame- rica, was still more extraordinary. Their rights * 'See Vol. I. and Bcterky 64 HISTORY OF CHAP, were so ample as scarce to have any limits; their duties so limited as hardly to have any existence : Yet at first view their government, with its appa- ratus of cockarouse, werowances and sachems, has the appearance of regal government ; and the opinion that the authority was hereditary, and that there is an exact mode of defining the descent would argue a fixed and regular tyranny. IN order to have clear ideas on this subject, we should clivest ourselves of all attention to names* An Indian sachem had no attributes in common with a king : Yet whenever we hear of a sachem or werowance we are apt to associate the idea of icgal authority. The sachem amongst all the tribes was a magistrate either hereditary* or elec- tive, according to their various customs : But in ail cases without tribute, revenue or authority. His duty was invariably to stay at home, whilst the war chief, who was elected for his merit, was fighting at the head of his warriors ; to preside in the great council, where he had but a single voice ; and in the absence of the warriors to watch over the safety of the aged, the women and children, an office of so little estimation that amongst several of the tribes it was frequently filled by women. * They must be of an age fit to govern ; and if the he- reditary chief is not of age, they choose a regent, who has all the authority, but who exercises it in the name of the minor. In general these chiei's do not receive any great marks of respect, and if they are always obeyed, it is be- cause they know how far their commands will have force. It is true also, that they entreat or propose rather than com- mand, and that they never exceed the bounds of the little auihority they have ; thus it is reason that governs ; and the government is the more effectual as the obedience is more 1 voluntary ; and that there is no fear of its degenerating into tyranny. Cawer'9 History cf *4mcrica } fiagc 18.- VIRGINIA; e A FACT in confirmation of this is related by CHAP. Charlevoix. A female chief of one of the tribes of the Hurons made repeated attempts in council to procure the admission of a Christian mis- sionary, but without success. NOR is it the sachem only that is without power in those singular communities : There is nothing like what we conceive of authority* any where among them. Even the great council of the na- tion can do nothing but by advice or persuasion, and every individual is at liberty to refuse obedi- ence to its dtcisions. EVEN in war there is no such thing as an im- perative direction from a general to his soldiers: Yet notwithstanding this uncontrolled licence, the advice of the chiefs is scarcely ever rejected. f MUCH is said in our early historians of the ty- ranny of Powhatan, yet not a single fact is brought * This body of counsellors or assistants is the first of all ; the second is that of the elders ; that is to say, of all who have attained the age of maturity. I never could learn ex- actly what this age is : The last is that of the warriors ; it comprehends all that are able to bear arms. This body has often at its head the chief of the nation, or of the village ; but he must have distinguished himself first by some brave action, otherwise he is obliged to serve as a subaltern, that is to say, as u common soldier, for there is no rank in the armies of the savages. Carver's History of Amerca, /uzgc 19. t A great party may indeed have severa 1 chitfs, because they give this title to all those who have ever commanded ; but they are not the less subject to the commander of the party, a kind of general without character; without real au- thority, who can neither reward nor punish ; whose soldiers may leave him when they please, without his having a right to say any thing to them on that account, and who neverthe- less is scarce ever contradicted. So true is it, that amongst men who govern themselves -by reason, and are guided bj 66 HISTORY OF CHAP, forward in support of the assertion. Opechancaf-' _. K { } iiough was said to have been jealous of Nematta- now; ytt he had no means of ridding himselt of this warrior. The speech of Okaning, a young In- dian without title, is an evidence of the free and manly character of their thinking. The Poto- macs and the Eastern Shore Indians refused to take part in the massacre, although they were so- licited by Opechancariough : Japazaws, when ask- ed by the same chief to kill Kaleigh Crawshaw,- politely refused, although the request was backed by a present of beads and copper. But it is use- less to multiply proofs when not a single act of severity is specified; nothing beyond vague and unsupported assertion. THE order* and deportment of an Indian as- sembly would not have disgraced the gravity and dignity of a Roman senate ; and the effect pro- duced upon a spectator, who is unacquainted with their language and even prejudiced against them, is in the highest degree impressive. JNor is this effect produced by the grandeur of archi- tecture or the splendor of dress. The council is honour and a zeal for their country, independence does not de- stroy subordination; and that a free and voluntary obedience is gent rally the most to be'depended on : For the res the quail* ties required in a war chief, are to be fortunate, brave and disinterested. It is not strange that they should obey without difficulty a man in whom these three characters are known to be united. Carver *s History of America, fiage 19. * Nothing is more edifying than their behaviour in their public councils and assemblies Every man ubject to inovatrons owing to the intercourse of the different tribes or their con- nexion wiih the Europe-tins. A mixed language was thus framed by the intenua- ryine; of the French and Indians in Canada) which was countenanced by the French government. VIRGINIA; to their conjecture from Santa Fe, the mines of St. Barbe, or some province bordering on thtr Mt-xi- can empire. The other relation is to be found in Charlevoix >s travels. According to the informa- tion of an Indian of the Otchagra tribe. " ABOUT two years ago, some Spaniards, who came (as they say ) from New Mexico, intending to get into the country of the Illinois, and drive the French from thence, whom they saw with ex- treme jealousy approach so near the Missouri, came down this liver and attacked two villages of the Octotatas, who are the allies of the Ajoues, from whom it is also said they are derived. As- these savages had no fire arms and'were surprized > the Spaniards made an easy conquest, and killed a great many of them. A third village, which was not far off the other two, being informed of what had passed, and not doubting but these con- querors would attack them, laid an ambush into which the Spaniards heedlessly fell. Others say, that the savages having heard that the enemy were almost drunk and fast asleep, fell upon them in the night. One of the Otchagra chiefs (adds Charlevoix) shewed me a Catalan pistol, a pair of Spanish shoes, and I know not what drug, which. seemed to be a sort of ointment, a part of the spoil taken on this occasion." How many facts of this* nature might have been preserved if eve*n a slight attention had been bestowed on this subject, and what advantages would not result from such an inquiry. We might see the cradle of Indian population, and the language of the founders of this people : We might observe the successive emigrations, and mark the changes of dialect in each : We might compare those several dialects with each other and with the modier tongue. Charlevoix judi- piously remarks that the languages of nations a 76 HISTORY OF CHAP, ford the best proof of their origin. We * _ have an opportunity of comparing the Mexican " tongues with those spoken on the north of Asia, and decide a question in the highest degree inter- esting to a knowledge of the globe and its inha- bitants. As it is, we know scarcely any thing on this subject. We have been for two centuries inti- mately conversant with the Indians of Virginia, and yet perhaps there is not a single man ac- quainted with the language of the Powhatans ; u few wretched remnants of tribes once numerous and warlike still exist amongst us, and no effort is made to snatch from extinction a record so cu- rious, and which would one day prove so valu- able. IT is suggested by an American historian that three radical languages prevail throughout North America: The Sioux, the Huron and the Al- gonquin ; that by an acquaintance with the two latter, a person may travel one thousand five hun- dred leagues without an interpreter, for though each nation has a particular idiom, yet he can make himself understood by all ; even amongst the Indians of New England and Virginia. Those to the south of the St. Laurence as lar as Virginia, speak the Huron. Another I SHALL subjoin another speculation on this speculation head by the author of the British empire in North America. THERE have been many conjectures, says Wynne, concerning die origin of the different nations of Indians in America, it being taken for granted that they are emigrants from some other country. But as the Indians are very careful and solicitous to hand down their history from father to son, the account they give of themselves seems most deserving of credit. The Hurons and six VIRGINIA. 77 confederated nations, and all. the other tribes to the southward, except the Chickesaws, agree thai they came from the setting of the sun into this country. The Chickesaws came from South America since the Spaniards took possession of it. The Indians on the great lakes north of the river St. Laurence, and those between that river and the bay of Fund) and quite to Hudson's Bay, northward, except the Esquimaux, assert that they came from the northward." M. LE PAGE DU PRATZ, being extremely de- sirous to inform himself of the origin of the Ame- rican nations, was continually enquiring of the Another, old Indians concerning it, and was at last so for- tunate as to meet with an old man, belonging to the nations of the Jazous, called Moncucht-ape, \vho was a man of sense and genius, and hav- ing been possessed with the same curiosity as himself, had spared no pains nor fatigue, to get information of the country from whence the north American nations came. With this view he travelled from nation to nation, hoping to discover the country from whence their fathers had come, or to approach so near it as to get some sure intelligence, and more particular tradi- tions concerning their origin. In this expedition he spent eight years, and M. Le Page du Pratz having insinuated himself into his good graces by all sorts of kindness, had from hira the fol- lowing account : " HAVING lost my wife and children, I re- solved to travel in order to discover our original country, notwithstanding all the persuasions of my parents and relations to the contrary. 44 I TOOK my way by the High Grounds that are on the eastern bank of the river St. Louis, that I might only have the river Oubach to i in order to join the Illinois at the village of Ta- 78 HISTORY OF GHAP. maroua, a considerable settlement of the Cana- 1 dian French. As the grass was short 1 arrived there in a little time. 1 staid there eight days to- rest myself, and then continued my route along- the eastern bank of the river Su Louis, a little above the place where the river Missouri faili> into it. " I THEN made a raft of canes or reeds and crossed the river St. Louis, and when 1 was near the opposite shore I suffered my raft to be carried down the stream till I came to the conflux of the two rivers. Here I had the pleasure of seeing* the rivers mix, and of observing how clear the waters of the river St. Louis are before they re*- ceive the muddy streams of the Missouri* I landed here and travelled along the north sid of the Missouri for a great many days, till at last I came to the nations of the Missouris. Witl* them I staid a considerable time, not only to re- pose myself after rny fatigue, but also to leani their language, which is spoken or understood by a great many nations. In this country one- scarce sees any thing but large meads, above a day's journey, and covered with large cattle* The Missouris seldom eat any thing but flesh; they only cultivate as much maize as will serve for a change, and prevent their being cloyed with beef and game, with which their country abounds* During the winter which I spent with them, the tiiiow fell to the depth of six feet. As soon as the winter was over, I resumed my journey along the banks of the Missouri, and travelled tilt I came to the nation of the west There I was told that it was a long journey to the country from whence both they and we came, that I must yet travel during the space of a moon (a month) to- wards the source of the Missouri ; that then I should turn to the right and go directly north. VIRGINIA. 79 and at the end of a few days I should meet with another river, which ran from east to west, quite contrary to the course of the Missouri. Then I might fall down this river at my ease upon rafts> until I came to the nations of the Loutres or Ot- ters, where I might rest and receive more ample and particular instructions. 4< lN pursuance with these directions I travelled up the Missouri during a month, being afraid of turn ing to the right too soon, when one night af- ter I had kindled my fire and was going to rest, I perceived some smoke at a distance to wards the place where the sun sets. I immediately concluded that this was a party of hunters, who purposed to pass the night there, and that probably they might be of the nation of the Loutres. I imme- diately made towards them, and found about thirty men and some women. They seemed to be surprized, but received me civilly enough. We could only understand one another by signs. After I had been with the m three days, one of the wo- men being near her delivery, she and her husband left the company in order to return home by the easiest road, and took me along with them. 0VVE travelled up the Missouri seven easy days' journey, and then went directly north for five days, at the end of which time we came to a river of very fine clear water. When we came to the place where the hunters had left their ca- noes, we all three embarked in one of them and fell down the river until we came to their village. I was very well received by them, and soon found that this was indeed the nation of the Loutres, \vhich 1 was in quest of: I spent the winter with them, and emplo}ed ni) self in learning their lan- guage, which they told me was understood by all the nations which lay between them and the great water. 80 HISTORY OF " THE winter was scarce ended when I em- barked in a canoe with some provisions, a pot to cook them, and something to lie on, and descended the river. In a little time I came to a. very small nation, whose chiefs happening to be on the bow, bluntly demanded, Who art thou ? What business hast thou here with thy short hairs? I told him my name was Moncht-ape ; that I came from the nation of the Loutres. tie saw plainly that I was not one ol the nation, and wondered at my speaking the language. 1 told him that I had learned it of an old man whose name was Salt- tear. He no sooner heard the name of Salt- tear, who was one of his friends, than he invited me to stay in the village as long as I would. Up- oil this i landed and told him that Salt tear had ordered me to see an old man whose name was the Great Roe buck. This happened to be the father of the chief: He ordered him to be called, and the old man received me as if 1 had been his own son. and led me to his cottage. The next day he informed me of every thing I wanted to know* and told me 1 should be very .hospitably received by all the nations between them and the great waters, on telling them I was the fs lend of |Jie Great Roe buck. 1 only staid there t\o d-iys longer : 1 then put on board my canoe a store of provisions, prepared from certain small grains less than French peas, which afforded an excel- lent food, and immediately embarked. I con- tinued to sail down the river, not staying above a day with each nation on the way. " The last of these nations settled about a day's journey from the sea, and about the race of a man (near a league) from the river. They con- cealed themselves in the woods for fear of the bearded men. I was received by them as if I had been ons of their own countrymen. They VIRGINIA. 81 are continually upon their guard, on account of the bearded men, who do all they can to ciury oft' young people, without doubt to make them slaves. They told me these bearded men were whiles, and had long black beards, which fell down upon their breast ; that their bodies were thick, and short ; that their he. ds were large and cover- ed with stuffs ; that they were always clothed, even in the hottest seasons, and that their clothes reached to the middle of their legs, which, as well as their feet, were also covered with red or yellow stuffs ; that their weapons made a great noise and a great fire ; and that when they saw the red men (the natives) were more numerous thaji themselves, they retired to a great canoe, (a small ship without doubr) which contained about thirty of them. They added that these strangers come from the place where the sunsets (trie, west) in quest of a soft yellow wood, which yields a yellowish liquor of a fine smell, and which dyes a fine yellow colour; and that observing they" came every year as soon as winter was over to fetch this wood, they had, according to the advice of the old men, cut down and destroyed all the trees, since which time they have not beet* so often troubled with the visits oi these bearded men ; but that they still visited every year two adjacent nations, who would not imitate their po- licy, because the yellow wood was the only wood their count* y produced, and that all the neigh- bouring nations had agreed to arm and join toge* ther the approaching summer, in order to de- stroy those bearded men at their next coming, and rid the country of them. As I had seen fire arms and was not afraid of them, and as the route they purposed to take was the way to the nation, I was in quest of, they proposing my going along 82 HISTORY OF with them, I was readily agreed, and as the mer came I marched with the warriors of the na- tion to the general rendezvous. The bearded mvn came later than usual this year. While we waited for them the natives shewed me the place where they used to lay their great canoe (the ship), It was between two high and long rocks, which forn.ed the mouth of a shallow river, the banks whereof were covered with yellow w r ood. It was agreed to lie in ambush for the bearded men, and that when they were landed and weie busy in cut- ting the yellow wood, we should rise, surround them ai>d cut them off. At the end of seventeen days two great canoes appeared, and they came to 'their usual place between the rocks. The fkst thing the bearded men did after their arrival (for there were two men privately placed upon the rocks to observe (hem) v. as to fill certain wooden vessels with water. At the end of the fourth day they landed and went to cut the wood. They had no sooner began to cut than they were at- tacked on ail sides, but notwithstanding our ut- most efforts we kihed but eleven, all the rest fied to their little canoes and gained their great ones, which soon launched into the great waters and disappeared. Upon examining the dead 1 found them to be less than we are and veiy white ^ their bodies very thick and their heads very large. About the middle of their head their hair was 1< ng. " THEY wore no hats as you do, but had their heads bound ab ut with a great deal of some sort of btuff Their clothes were neither of wool or buck, but of something like your old shirts, very soli and fine and of different colours (silk with- out doubt). The covers of their legs and feet were all of a piece. 1 endeavoured to put on one of them, but my feet were too large* Of the VIRGINIA: 3 eleven that were killed only t\vo of them had arms, powder and ball. I tried these pieces, and found that they did not cany as far as your's. Their poavder was mixed of three sorts of grain, large, middle and fine ; but the large made the .greatest part. The^e were the remarks I made upon the bearded men, after which, leaving the warriors with whom I came, to return home , I joined those nations who were settled upon the coast farther to the west, and we followed the coast which is directly between the north and the west. When we came to these settlements I observed that the days were a great deal longer than with us, and the nights very short. I asked them the reason of it, and they could give me none. I rested with them a considerable time. Their old men told me that it was in vain for me to proceed farther. Tht\ said that the coast extended itself yet a great way between north ai-.d west, and that it afterwards turned short to the west, and having run for a considerable distance it was cut by the sea directly from north to south. One added, that at low water one might see easily rocks and shallows in the channel which hud formerly b< en dry land. They all joined to dissuade me from travelling any further., assuring me th it the coun- try was cold and desart, destitute of annuals or inhabitants, and advised me to re* urn to my -own count- y. I accordingly took their novice, and returned home by the way that 1 came." Such is the account Moncht ape gave of his tra- vels, and M. Le Page du Pratz observes, that the g/od sense and probity of the man left him but 'little room to doubt of the truth of it. tie also thinks it probable that the bearded men ire the inhabitants of some isle in the neighbourhood of Japan. The distance in a straight lire iroin the Yazcus to the farthest nation Monchc-ape vi- 84 HISTORY OF CHAP, sited upon the shores of the north-western ocea\i, according- to the best estimate M. Du Pratz could make, from die number of his days' journies and rate of travelling, seems to be about an hundred leagues." IT may not be uninteresting to state the ground Ground of of the opinion in favour of a Welsh discovery of ' a America. It is extracted from the manuscript /Weteh^ journal of colonel William Byrd, who in 17i7 original* was appointed one of the commissioners on the part oi Virginia to decide the long contested question respecting limits between Virginia and Carolina. The writer visited the Tuscarora set- tlement, and received the tradition in the midst of this people. It is but justice to add that he was a man of admirable capacity and of the most pointed regard to veracity and honour. '' THIS tradition, altho' much alter'd by Jbe- ing handed down through so many generations, might have come originally from a colony of an- cient Britons, who some centuries ago left their own country and were driven to America. These strangers, after several migrations, settled at last among the Tuskeruda Indians, under the name of the Doegs. This clan retain'd the British lan- guage till the year 1060, as appears by the certifi- cate oi a Welsh clergyman, who had been among thtm. This reverend gentleman's name was Morgan Joi.-es, \\ho wrote the following accptmt, of which there is no reason to doubt the truth,, the same having been since confirmed by other travellers. " THESE PRESENTS may certify all persons whatsoever, that in the )ear 1660, * I being then an inhabitant of Virginia, and chaplain to ma- jor general Bennet of Nansemund county, the said general Bennet and sir Wiiiiam Berkeley sent two ships to Port-Royal in Carolina, which VIRGINIA. is sixty leagues to the southward of Cape Fear ; and I was sent therewith to be their minister. " UPON the 8th of April we set out from Vir- ginia, and arrived at the harbour's mouth of Port Royal the 19th of the same month, where we waited for the rest of the fleet that was to sail from Barbados and Barmuda, with one Mr. West, who was to be deputy governor of the said place. As soon as the fleet came in, the small vessels that were with us sailed up the river to a place call'd the Oyster Point. " THERE I continued about eight months, all which time being almost starv'd for want of pro- visions, I and five more travelled through the wil- derness till we came to the Tuscarora country: There che Tuscarora Indians took us prisoners, because we told them we were bound for Roan- oke : That night they carry 'd us into their town, and shut us up close by ourselves, to our no small dread. 4< NEXT day they enter 'd into a consultation about us, which, after it was over, their inter- preter told us, that we must prepare ourselves to die next morning. " WHEREUPON, being very much dejected, and speaking to this effect in the British tongue : " I have escapt so many dangers, and must I " now be knockt on the head like a dog ?" Then presently an Indian came to me, which I found afterwards was a war captain, belonging to the sachim of the Doegs (whose original I find must needs be from the old Britons,) and took me up by the middle, and told me in the British tongue I should not die, and thereupon he went to the emperor of Tuscarora, and agreed for my ransom and the men that were with me. " THEY then welcomed us to their town, and entertain'd us very civilly and cordially four 16 HISTORY OF CHAR months ; during which time I had the opportunity of conversing with them familiarly in the British language ; and did preach to them three times a week in the same language: And they would usually confer with me about any thing that was difficult therein ; and at our departure they abun- dantly supply'd us with whatever was necessary to our support and well being. 44 THEY are seated upon the Pontigo, now called Pamptico river, not far from Cape Atros, or Hatteras. This is a brief recital of my travels among: the Doeg Indians. MORGAN JONES, the son of John Jones, of Basaleg, near New- Port, in the county of Monmouth. New York, March 10th, 16856. 4r P. S. I am ready to conduct any Welshman, or others to the country." 44 THESE Doegs were probably the descend- ants of those Cambro Britons, who in ihj year 1170 quitted their country, and sail'd away to America, under the conduct of Madoc ap Owen Gwineth, a prince of Wales." ACCORDING to Beverley, the Indians of Vir- ginia, beside the dialects peculiar to the several tribes, had a general language which, like the Algonquin of Canada, was used in treaties and important national concerns. This was said to be the language of the Ocaneeches, which, since the coming of the English was one of the least considerable tribes in the confederacy. A compari- son between these languages would possibly have proved this to have diffi red little from the Algon- quin. 1 find not the name of this tribe in Mr. Jeffer- son's enumeration: The Richahecrians mentioned in the second volume, are also omitted, althougji VIRGINIA. $7 their existence is authenticated by an act of as- CHAP. scmbly. He takes no notice of the Kahuanaws __ noticed by Golden in his history of the Five Na- tions : But after all, these may have been only different names of some of the tribes he has enu- merated. I HAVE at length brought to a close a discus- sion, according to my judgment of great im- portance : but to which the limits of this work do not allow all the attention it merits. It was oiiginally prepared in a more extensive form for a history of the United States, and has doubtless lose much of its spirit and connection by a hasty abridgement. THE following passages, omitted by mis* take, in their proper places, are subjoined as tending to enforce some positions in the narra- tive. SPEECH OF SHEGANABA, AN INDIAN CHIEF. A YOUNG American, named Field, was taken prisoner by the Shawanese Indians. At the con- ciiibion ol peace, he was delivered up by Shcga- naba, an Indian chief, to the American commis- sioners at Fort Pitt. A fowling piece was pre- sented Si icgunaba, who on tLkin^ it addressed the commissioners in the following speech : " CAN a man deserve reward for merely do- ing h.s duty : But as you give it I will receive it; and it any of your people, should come into my country, eithu ltd by curiosity, or driven by the hard hand of the conqueror, he siia.il be treated with the same kindness as young Field. And I tell you trus witn a tongue that never sported HISTORY Of with truth since it has known that falsehood was # crime ; and I confirm it with a hand that never shed one drop of blood in peace, nor ever spared an enemy in battle. " VIRGINIA; 89 " THE Indians of Virginia are almost wasted, CHAP, but such towns or people as retain their names and live in bodies, are here-under set down ; all which together can't raise five hundred fighting men. They live poorly, and much in fear of the neighbouring Indians. Each town by the arti- cles of peace, 1677, pays three Indian arrows for their land, and twenty beaver- skins for protection every year. " IN Ace o mack are eight towns, viz. Matom- kin is much decreased of late by the small pox, that was carried thither. " Gingoteque. The few remains of this town, are joined with a nation of the Maryland Indians. " Kiequotank is reduced to a very few men. *' Matchopungo has a small number yet living. " Occahanock has a small number yet living* " Pungoteque. Governed by a queen, but a small nation. ' Oanancock has but four or five families. " Chiconessex has very few, who jubt keep the name. " Nanduye. A seat of the empress. Not above twenty families, but she hath all the nations of the shore under tribute. " In Northampton, Gangascoe, which is al- most as numerous as ail the foregoing nations put together. " In Priiv;e George, Wyanoke is extinct. " In Charles City, Appamattox extinct. " In Surry, Nottavvayes, which are about a hundred bow- men, of late a thriving and increas- ing people. u By Nansamond. Menheering has about thirty bow- men, who keep at a stand. " Nansamond. Aboui thirty bow-men: They have increased much of late. M 90 HISTORY OF " In King William's county, Pamaunkie, has about forty bow. men. who decrease. " Chickahomonie, which had about sixteen bow- men, but lately increased. ** in Kssex. Rappahannoek, extinct. " In Richmond. Port Tabago, extinct. " in Northumberland. Wiccomo^.co, has but few men living, which yet ket keep up their king- dom, and retain their fashion ; yet live by them- selves, separate from all other Indians, and irom the English." A Theory of the Winds, extracted from the German IT has been generally remarked that those American provinces, which lie in the same latitude with Europe, suf- fer a much severer and longer winter than the latter. The ir.ost northern parts oi the United States lie in the same degree of 'latitude with Great Britain and the chief parts of Germany, but the winter is excessively severe and the summer but short. Neva Scotia, the north part of New En- gland arid the principal parts of Canada, are in the same de- gree of latitude with France and the south parts of Germany; but the winters of the former are very cold and 1 >ng. The south part of New England, New York and the greatest part oi New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the south part of Ca- nada, lie in the same degree of latitude with Spain and Ita y ; but the cold is very severe and lasting. Sometimes indeed the heal of the summer is excessive; but sudden, changes from heat to cold are frequent. Maryland) Virginia and North Carolina are in the same degree oi' latitude with the most southern parts of Europe; but have much moru frost and snow. This severi; y of climate probably proceeds from the north and north-west winds blowing over an immense tract ol land covered with mountains, lakes and forests ; but the svuiu o- inhabitants and the large forests contribute much towards it. At the time when Tacitus wrote his history of Germany, it appears that its winters were much more severe and lastiug than at present. It is therefore probable that the seventy of climate will abate in America in propor- tion to its culture and population. VIRGINIA. In the country of the Datawares they have warm sum- mers, the hottest mont'is are July and August, w hen woolen clothes cannol be worn. Even in autumn, as late or la er than Christmas, but little frost is seen, and if ven in a clear nig hi the ground should freeze, it thaws again soon after su'i rise. In general the winter is> mslci weather, being chiefly, rainy, damp and changeable ; after a lew clear days rainy and f>ggy weather are sure to follow. The river Mus- kingum being a very slow current, generally freezes once or perhaps twice in a season. The snow is never deep nor remains long- on the ground. The winter between 1779 and 1780 was called remarkably severe, as the snow fell once two ieet deep. In eight days it was gone, and the cokl weather lasted only till Ft binary. In the land of the Iroquois the col 1 is more intense and the snow deeper. The difference of one hundred miles to the north or south makes likewise a grea 1 difference in the temperatire of the air. Near the river Sandusky the cold is much severer with a greater quantity of snow, than on the Muskingum, and on the Scioto ihe snow hardly ever remains on the ground. The \%ea her varies also considerably on the east and west sides of the Allegheny mountains : For in Pennsylvania the cast wind generally brings rain, but never on the Ohio, where the east wind seldom ever blows, and never above 12 hours at a time; but the south and west wind bring rain, and the rains from the west generally set in for a whole week. It even rains sometimes with a north-west wind. All storms of thunder and lightning rise either with south-west or north-west winds ; but in Pennsylvania thejiorth-wesfc v.'inds bring clear and fine weather. CHAPTER II. The project of Spotswood revived after his dis- missal. 'The removal of Spotsivood accounted for. A more particular account of his project. The Outaivas and the Outagamis. They inter- rupt the French communication between the St. Laurence and the Mississippi Spotswoodivishes to conciliate them is Jrustrated by the timidity of Britain and the wakeful jealousy of France. Comparative view of the French and British co- lonies. Foundation oj their respective claims. Administration of Gooch. Colonial troops for thejirst time serve out of the continent. Unsuc- cessful attack on Carihagena. Spotswood ap- pointed to command the colonial troops He dies in the midst oj the preparations His character His humane policy towards the Indians. Tus- caroras Their subjugation. The long contested boundary with Carolina adjusted during his ad- ministration. Wm. Byrd his journal oj this liansaction. Return oj Gooch with Virginia troops. An assembly. Governor's communica- tion. Burgesses condole with him on account of the unfortunate expedition against the Spaniards Adjourn without making any provision for the objects recommended by t/ie governor His dis- appoifitment and chagrin. Spaniards make a descent on Georgia ttritish men of war on sta- tion, dispatched to her assistance. Detection of an Indian conspiracy to rise upon the whites Express with an account of the discomfiture of tin- Spaniards in Georgia. Prodigious increase of Pennsylvania. General Oglethorpe raises a regiment In Virginia. Account of a skirmish between the militia and Sha-ivanese in Augusta. Jjcath and character of commissary Blair. Fail- ure of Oglt thorns attack on St. Augustine. ^Treaty at Lancaster ratified by the commission- ers of Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. A proclamation respecting impressment. Death oj William ttyrd His character. Aspect of Eu- ropean affairs. Project to impose a popish pre- tender Account of this event transmitted to the colomes. An assembly. Governor's communica- tion Replies of council andburgesses full of loy- alty. An increased expansion of mind visible in the communications of government and the newspaper productions about this time. The as- sembly close without providing for objects recom- mended by the governor. Edward Trelaivny, go- vernor of "Jamaica, authorized to raise a regi- ment in Virginia. Classic productions of Ame- rica?! growth. Logan's translation of Cicero's La to Major. William Stith's history. Address of governor to grand jury against Methodists, Mora- vians and Ne\v Lights. Account of the surrender of Louisburg to the New England troops. Libe- rality of Virginia in providing J or the 'wants of the victors of Pennsylvania of the other states. Account of prentender's arrival in Scot- land. Lovalty of council, burgesses. Convo- cation and 'corpora & bodies in Virginia Session closes to fits sniiitMion of the different branches of government. Advice from Boston 0* a pro- jected expedition Goqch appoint ea con imander. Capnd burnt Assembly converted at College. $5 Attempt to remove the seat of government. Assembly re* CH\P. fuse to prepare temporary accommodations in Williams- iurg Dissolved by proclamation. Writs issued for a general election Assembly. Governor recommends to build on the old foundation. This assembly important in talents and character. Bill passes both houses for rebuilding capitol in Wiiliamsburg* General revisal of laws. Go- vernor intimates his intention to leave the colony. Several grants to adventurers beyond the mountains Robinson president Dies. Thomas Lee president. Assembly pro- rogued Assembly petition that one penny per pound be, taken of from the tax en tobacco. Lewis Burivell pre- sident Assembly farther prorogued President permit? Ntw York company to build a tkeat e. Assembly again ft orogited Robert Dinuiddie governor. Assembly dis- solved. Short review of the war in the northern colonits^ vind of the state of arts and science in the other provinces. 96 CHAPTER IL jec of Spotswood revived af- ter his dis- missal. The remo- val of Spots- wood ac- counted for. THE project of Spotswood, rejected during his administration, was adopted after his dismis- sal. This gentleman had given offence to the mini- stry by urging with too much boldness the neces- sity of establishing a chain efforts for the protec- tion of the vast and fruitful champaignes betvveea the Apalachian mountains and the Mississippi. Dia appointed in this expectation he demanded that the people employed in exploring the region be- yond the mountains, should receive compensa- tion from the British government. He had un- dertaken, as he allegtd, the expedition* by de- sire of the government, and its success would re- dound to the safety and honour of the whole em- pire : Nothing, therefore, he added, could be more just than that its expense should be defrayed by the government of the nation.* But an ad- vocation of colonial rights by a royal governor was an example equally offensive and alarming; and he was replaced by Hugh Drysdale, who arrived in 1723, and whose administration would have been utterly unknown but for his signature to a few acts of assembly. OTHER causes have been assigned for the re- moval oi Spotswood. It has been suggested that his intimate knowledge of the country, arid more especially of its true commercial and political in- J Wynne's British Empire in N. dm* -vol. 2. /*. 238. VIRGINIA. 97 terests had rendered him obnoxious to several CHAP, leading families in Virginia, whose private views . _. were frequently traversed by his projects, and their importunities at length effected his recal.* IT may not be amiss in this place to speak A more something more fully of this plan, whose accom- particular plishment was afterwards fraught with so many accountof ^r i i 11 j i. i his project, eventful consequences to the world, and which in its operation lighted up a most destructive war in every quarter of the globe. THE Outawas,* a powerful nation inhabiting The Outa- the banks of the Ohio, almost directly in the wa * French line of communication between Canada and Louisiana, were thought to be well affected to the English interest, and it was proposed to purchase from them a tract of territory on this river. Lower down, and in the same route, lay the Outagamis, incensed against the French, by recent And the injuries, and prepared to embrace any measures . Outagamii calculated to gratify their revenge, and recover their former reputation and prosperity. They were ia the habit of intercepting the French par- ties passing from Canada and Louisiana, and their 7 hey ha(J ferocious courage had inspired with terror the ^^i!" l j' e ? neighbouring Indians, who considered them even communT- more terrible than the warriors of the Five Na- cation be- tions. The t rench perceived that the destruc- twcen the tion of this people was essential to the security of St - Lau- their possessions ; and the conduct of the Outa gamis having rendered them obnoxious to all the neighbouring tribes, with the exception of the Kickapous and Mascontins, a confederacy took * l\ ynne's British Empire in America, vol. 2. fi t 238, f Now called the Twightees. N HISTORY OF SpotswootT wis 1 csto conciliate them Is frustrat- ed by i he ti- midity of Britain and the jea- lousy of France. place of those tribes in conjunction with France" to cut them off'. THE Outagamis were at this time besieging Detroit, for the purpose of delivering it into the hands of the English, to whom they \vere favour- ably disposed, when they were attacked by a su- perior body of French and Indians, and after having performed prodigies of valour, were al- most exterminated. The nation, however, not- withstanding its losses, could still arm five hun- dred warriors, and they had lately united them- selves with the Sioux, the most numerous nation belonging to Canada, and with the Chickasaws, the most powerful tribe in Louisiana.* OCCUPYING thus the avenues of communica- tion, the Outawas and Outagamis, though lately enemies, might have been both by some address united in :t project for repelling the encroachments of France. * One part of this plan had actually been attempted by Spotswoxxi :f But it was ren- dered abortive by the timidity of the British go- vernment and the wakeful jealousy of France. lie proposed, by a great colonial force assisted by European troops, to attack the western Spanish settlements, and he doubted not by a chain of posts judiciously chosen, and the friendship of those Indians, to cut off all communication and concert between the French dependencies in America, and immediately to gain possession of the provinces of Spain, who was then actually at war with Great Britain. J Dry sdule was succeeded by Gooch, a brigadier general on the British esta- blishment, who passed acts of assembly for the first time in 1727. Wynnes British America, vol. 1 . Ibidem* \ VIRGINIA. 89 IN order to a correct knowledge of this admi- CHAP. iiistration, it becomes necessary to speak some- n - thing ot the French and English colonies; and" th** views and pretensions ol those great rivals respecting their territorial rights in North Ame- rica. TH E English were in possession of the sea coast, Compara- the harbours, the mouths and banks of the rivers ; tlve vicvv and some, though a very inconsiderable number, had made a few settlements at more than one hun- dred miles from the coast. The French were not possessed of an} sea coast or harbours on the continent, properly so calJed ; but had con,. lined their plantations to the two great rivers, St. Laurence and Mississippi ;* the one running south and the other nearly north, their sources being at no great distance from each other, and forming a line almost parallel to the sea coast in- habited by the English. HERE was a territory sufficiently ample for all the purposes of wealth and even ambition, if am- bition ever could be satisfied. But the rooted spirit of rivalship and hostility existing between these powers since the earliest times, sought out pretexts for quarrel even in those remote i eg ions ; and war with all its horrors must be transferred from the desolated and drenched plains of die old world to stain the verdant bosom of the new. THE French claims were founded on a sup- Foundation posed discovery by La Salle of Louisiana, in- of tb '. ir re * eluding the Mississippi and its branches, and or. the ro}al charter. The English charters extended the Bt itish settlements from the Atlantic ocean to the South Sea ; a grant so general as to include not only the territory which was becoming the * Wynne's British America, ICO HISTORY OF CHAP, ground of dispute, but all the French and Spa- 11 nish possessions in North America. Those grants, however, in their extensive signification, \iere v/aved by Britain from the actual absurdity and obvious impracticability of enforcing them; and their claims became confined to the delight- ful country between the Apalachian mountains and the Mississippi. It was thought unneces- sary to speak of the frontier of New York, the Five Nations occupying the space between that province and Canada; it was 'hoped that this con- ftdtracy being in close alliance with the English, their territory would be secure against encroach- ment. FHANCE, although for a long time she made ro ..vowed objection to this claim, proves by her conduct an tarly determination to resist any at- tempt at an actual settlement of the territory in question ; and for this purpose we find her so e.riy as the year 1716 erecting Fort Frederick, called by the English Crown Point, upon Lake Chan;plajn within the territories of the Five Na- tiors.* This encroachment was noticed by the f ^ < ruoi t of New York ; but it was not deemed of feufficie lit importance to be even mentioned by the British envoys at the treaty of Aix la-Chapelle. In '17^1 tht\ built Fort Niagara, between Lake Erie and Ontario, in the country of the Senecas, by which they completely secured the communi- cation between Canada and Louisiana.^ Yet this n tw aggression did not seem at the moment to have alarmed the British government to a just * Smith's History of Nciv York. t The son of the celebrated bishop Burnet. \ Wynnes British America. VIRGINIA. sense of the pol'rcy of France, and we fin^ that CHAP, in the war of 173^, entered into first with Spain I[ and afterwards with the united strength of the " house of Bourbon, hostilities were principally carried on at a distance, and the right of France to those places was tacitly acknowledged by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelie. DURING the administration of Gooch, Ame- rican troops for the first time were transported Colonial from the continent to aid in the offensive opera- troop* for tions against the enemies' islands. An attack on first ume Carthagena having been determined on, the co- servcouto * lonies voluntarily furnished their quotas, who, under the command of the governor of Virginia, marched in this expedition, and after its lailure returned home and \veredispersed.* AT the commencement of the war of 1739, Spotswood, who still lived retired in Virginia, Spotswood was appointed to command the colomial troops ; a Pi Joimed and he was farther gratified with an assurance ^a^colo- that his favourite project should be carried into nial troops, immediate execution. But his death, which took place shortly after his appointment, again re- tarded its accomplishment ; and the hasty spark of colonial spirit was permitted to bum out for the want of adequate support and well concerted military enterprize from the mother country. THE name of Spotswood has descended to us ^ d eat n with scarcely sufficient alloy to constitute a hu- an j C harao man character. Innocent in his private life ; un- tcr. / impeached in his administration of government; a friend to the liberties of the colony without losing sight of the interests of the mother coun- try; a skilful and enterprizing soldier, he ap- pears a star of no ordinary magnitude amidst the * IVynn, Virg. Gazette, HISTORY OF darkness with which he is surrounded. His only foible was the vanity of recounting his military labours ; a foible for which considerable allow- ance should be made when we consider the unme- rited neglect and ingratitude with which his ser- vices had been rewarded.* Too much praise can scarcely be bestowed on his humane and enlightened policy towards the Indi- ans. This interesting people, reduced in their nu [Fi- bers, and shorn of their savage glories by the hand of civilization, found in the governor a benificent father, equally anxious to relieve their necessi- ties and improve their rninds by a knowledge of useful ftrts and religious instruction. Professors of pure lives and competent knowledge were sent at the public expense amongst the most conside- rable tribes for the purpose of exhibiting a con- stant and lively example before this thoughtless people. The effects, it is true, did not justify the policy of this measure ; but this arose from the mode of instruction in use at this time, and the peculiar character of this people. TH E ill success of his attempts did not deter him from a farther prosecution of this humane project ; and in consequence of the Tuscarqraf massacre in * He was ii> the habit of shewing to his guests a four pound ball that struck his coat. t These Indians were heretofore very numerous and powerful, making, within remembrance, at least one thou- sand fighting men. Their habitations, before the war with Carolina, was on ihe north branch of New rivei, commonly called Connecta Creek, in a pleasant and fruitful country. But now the few that are left of that nation live on the north side of Moratuck, which is all that part of Roanoke below the Great Falis, towards Albemarle Sound. Formerly there were seven towns of these savages lying VIRGINIA, 103 \i 12, the tributary Indians having become ob- CH\P. j( cts of suspicion to the government of Virginia, Sr^tsnood demanded the children of their sa* chtms as hostages, and had them instructed at the university of William and Mary in the rudi- ments of English littranire, and afterwards in mechanic arts suited to their most obvious necessities* Ax the close of his adminibtration the long contested question respecting limits was adjusted by order of the provisional council, between the states of North Carolina and Virginia. This transaction derives its chief interest from the agrency of colonel William Byrd, one of the commissioners, whose journal of the route and proceedings of the mission executed in a stile of rsome of the longest established political maxims of all the colonies. Founded ai different times, under differens charters, com- pelled by the difficulties incidental to a new set- tlement ~nU the hostility of the Indians to exert their utmost means for their own security, their Spaniards GcoMa " VIRGINIA: 107 growth was slow and they felt little power or in- CHAP. clination to contribute either men or money to- _ Ir wards any plan of general defence, or for the re- lief of a distressed and invaded sister The jea- lousy of commercial competition aggravated by religious bigotry, tended still more to weaken their attachments : We find them, therefore, in- variably either declining all aid to each other, or contributing with an air so ungracious, that their bounty lost half its value, as their favour did half its effect. A consciousness of their own prodigious increase in strength, added to their apprehension of French and Spanish encroachment, induced a increase of change in this unwise and selfish policy. About Pennsylva this time they began to regard each other with the nia - affection becoming children of the same common parent. But it was not to each other alone that their conduct and feelings had undergone a change. The revolution of 1688 put an end to the ini- quitous systems of coloi.ial oppression, devised by Charles II. and carried into full operation by his weak and wicked successor. They saw them- selves snatched from the jaws of tyranny and su- perstition by the success of William, ind bless- ed the hand of their deliverance. Henceforth, new principles of government more congenial with the free and hardy character of their minds, began to prevail. Their legislatures were no longer insulted and hastily dissolved ; their citizens no longer liable to arbitrary arrest. With the ex- ception of some commercial restrictions, and even these were generally regarded as doubtfuf if not legal, the conduct of England was that of an af- fectionate and provident mother. No wonder then that the colonies sympathized in her good and ill fortune. No wonder that they regarded with ail the reverence of filial piety muigicd with a, buitnnent of admiration, the venerable parent 08 HISTORY OF CHAP. w ho smote the house of Bourbon on the land and on the waters, and spread every where the lame of English liberty and valour. THERE was but a single exception amongst the colonies to this sentiment, and perhaps we should ascribe this to the peculiar habits and modes of think ing amongst a particular religious sect, rather th in to any want of attachment. Certain merchants oi Philadelphia alarmed for the safety of the frontier, and Irritated at what they conceived the parsimony and obstinacy of the legislature, who refused ta contribute any thing to its security, prepared a, petition to die king, praying that some way should be devised for compelling the attention of Pennsylvania to an object so important to her own safety and that of the other colonies. IN reply to this it was urged by the legislature, that in consequence of the charter of privileges ^ ,1/ied to them by William Penn, their first pro- ] or, and by an act of assembly dated October 4, 1 ('5, they were exempt from all military service. That they had hitherto subsisted without forts or militia; that being a peaceable people, they had given no offence to their neighbours, and as their neighbours had never yet molesteel them, they apprehended they might hereafter subsist in se- curity without any military force. IT is to be regretted that the humane and noble principles of this argument cannot be justified by the circumstances of the world. But so long as feud and violence prevail there is no security in the most peaceful demeanor and the most upright in- tentions. A majority of the assembly which pre- pared this answer were Quakers, a sect whose meek and inoffensive manners and humane pre- cepts, did they universally prevail, would render government superfluous, and make gentle per- suasion and advice atchieve what has been vainh VIRGINIA, 10? attempted by the injustice and wickedness of san- CHAP. giminary penal statutes. It may not be amiss to notice, whilst I am on this subject, the prodigi- 1742. ous increase of Philadelphia, an increase in a great measure to be attributed to the principles of the Quakers, bequeathed by their founder and preserved with a piety not unlike what the Spar- tans felt for the laws of Lycurgus. By a census taken this year, Philadelphia alone was found to contain seventeen hundred houses and ten thou- sand inhabitants. NOTWITHSTANDING the late failure of the Spaniards the situation of the southern colony was critical, and their alarm constantly kept alive by the neighbourhood of St. Augustine. Inform- ation was daily brought to Oglethorpe of the great preparations going forward at this port, and the number of ships of war and land troops which had lately been seen entering its harbour. , The improbability of being able to maintain himself against any serious attack by the proper resources of rhe infant settlement, was immediately obvious, and as the conduct of South Carolina had in- spired him with a strong disgust to the policy of that colony, he turned his eyes to Virginia where a more extensive population and a quicker sensi- bility to the common interest and hononr, was sup- posed to offer a better prospect of assistance. Lieutenant colonel Heron was therefore dispatch- ed with an account of the state of affairs, and with the drums, commissioned and non-commis- sioned officers, to raise a regiment in Virginia. To render the scheme more popular, the princi- ples of enlistment were suited to the wishes of the people, who abhorred the perpetual servitude of an English regular. They were to serve for five years, and be only in America. 110 HISTORY OF A CIRCUMSTANCE oGCinTccl at the time of He- ron's arrival attended with the most fbrtimutc < f- fects to his project. Captain Washington, with a number of officers and soldiers belonging* to the governor's regiment which had been discharged, arrived at Hampton ; and as it is not easy to lay down the habits we have once formed, and the Georgia service was supposed to be less severe than that in which they had been engaged, many of them enlisted with Heron. Skirmish AN account arrived of a smart skirmish in between Augusta county between colenel Patten, at the Shawenese j iea g o f a detachment of militia, and a party of and party tM T -,. ,.,-,, . * / of militia, khawanese Indians. 1 he parties appear to have fallen in with each other by surprize. The In- Pecember. dians immediately halted, and at the first fire kill- 1742. e( j captain M 'Do well and seven men. After this acording to their usual custom, they retreated about thirty yards, and after a pause of ten mi- nutes, when the imprudence of the militia gave them an opportunity, they repeated their lire. The conduct of the militia on this occasion is al- together unaccountable. Although they received a reinforcement they were unwilling to pursue, and retired under pretence of refreshing them- selves. On their return the next morning they found that the Indians had carried off their own dead and stript and scalped the militia,* This intelligence afforded the most serious alarm to all the frontier settlements; and the governor with advice of council took immediate measures for averting the hostility of the Indians, by send- ing commissioners amongst them, and in any event for repelling their future inroads, by send- * Gazettes. VIRGINIA. Ill ing a sufficient supply of ammunition to the fron- tiers. ABOUT this time Robert Dimvirlde and Lewis Bunvell were appointed ^f his majesty's council in the room of William Randolph and John Car- ter, deceased; and Thomas Nelson, junr. ap- pointed secretary in the room of Carter, ar- rived in the colony. A E OUT the same time died Blair, aged eighty- eight, during sixey four yea's a minister of the gospel, fifty-three years commissary of Virginia, president of a college for fifty- one, and a mem- ber of the king's council fifty. To considerable learning he was thought to add in an eminent de- gree the virtues of hospitality and generosity ; whilst his manners in the discharge of his various important duties conciliated the esteem and affec- tion of the most opposite parties and opinions. MEANWHILE an account arrived of the ill success of the attempt against St. Augustine. Ul'success The plan of Oglethorpe \vhich seems never to ^inTsL have been sufficiently matured, was abandoned Augustine*, after a short trial : In a word, the means were found to be *v holly inadequate to the danger and difficulties of the project. He had neither ships to blockade the port and shut out supplies, nor cannon to batter the place, and after having come in sight of the town, he hastily re-embarked and returnd to Georgia * MEANWHILE" the apprehensions excited by SistJulf. the late skirmish between the mi-itia and the * 743 ' Shawanese, was happily adjusted by a treatyf J * Express. t It appears by this treaty that the main body of the Tuscarora nation had not joined the Six Nations at this 112 HISTORY OF CHAP, held at Lancaster in Pennsylvania. The tatfa ^ ** of the Indian orators lasted fcr several days, tween Vir- The governor and council of Pennsylvania, at- ginia, Ma- tended by the commfcstoners of Virginia and ryland and Maryland on the one side, on the other the ora- Pcnnsylva- f ^ Nations, having, with Conrad ma and Six _ X7 . . . ' . & '- . Nations. Weiser their interpreter, discussed the points in dispute, with the order and formality usual in the ratification of treaties, the hatchet was buried and the silver chain of friendship brightened by the delivery of several belts of wampum.* A PROCLAMATION issued at this time, con- taining some particulars worthy of notice. It stated, by advice of the lords of the admiralty, that his majesty's ships had received considerable in- terruption, owing to a mistaken notion, that the act of Anne prohibiting impressments in the co- time, although Mr. Jefferson and even Mr. Golden seem to be of opinion that they emigrated so early as the year se- venteen hundred and twelve. It appears too that some fa- milies of the Conoies remained behind. There lives, said Casassatgeo, in his address to the Vir- ginia deputies, a nation of Indians on the other side of your ountry, the Tuscaroras, who are our friends, and with, whom we hold correspondence : But the road between us and them has been stopped for some time, on account of the misbehaviour of some of our warriors : We have opened a new road for our warriors, and they shall keep to that ; but as that would be inconvenient for messengers going to the Tus- caroras, we desire they may go the old road. We frequently send messengers to one another, and shall have more occa- sion to do so now that we have concluded a peace with the Cherokees. Amongst these Tuscaroras there live a few families of the Conoy Indians, who are desirous to leave them and to remove the rest of their nation amongst us, and the straight road to them lies through the middle of your country. * Cobkn's five Nations, VIRGINIA; 113 Ionics was still in force. He goes on to state CH\p. v/hat is the interpretation of that law, and quoc. . ^j 1 - ing the opinions of his majest} J s attorney and so- Proclama-^ licitor general on the subject the proclamation tion res- concludes by stating the orders of the admiralty **&"% '"- for putting the colony into the best state of de- P ressment ft*r\r!* %: BY COMMAND OF THE GOVERNOR. WHEREAS the lords of the admiralty have signified to me, by a letter dated August 19th, 1743, That the com- manders of his majesty's ships in America hav to procure seamen to make up their complements; and that it appears to their lordships to be chiefly owing to a mistaken notion, that the American act made in the rtign of queen Anne, prohibiting the pressing there, is still in force ; and their lordships being pleased to transmit to me the opinions of sir EdwardNorthey, his majesty's iate attor- ney-general, and of the present attorney and solicitor-gene- ral, that the said act expired long ago ; I have thought fit by advice of the council to have this published, that every- body may be acquainted with the said opinions of these gentlemen learned in the law, on a point which remains here undetermined ; and about which people in these part* are divided in their judgments. WILLIAM GOOCH. Co/iy of the opinion of the late sir Edward Northey, in rela tion to the American at } dated February \0t/i, 1715-16. I am of opinion that the whole American act was intended and appears only to have been intended for jhe war. EDWARD NOR THEY. Copy of the ofiinion* of the present attorney and solidtor-ge* neral, dated July \7th, 1740. We have perused the several clauses in the America^ P 114 HISTORY OF AT this time William Fairfax, son of the pro- prietor of Northern Neck, was appointed of his majesty's council in the place of commissary Blair, /ibout the same time died \ViIliam Byrd, of the council, one of the most distinguished r j iar . tc ters which hud shone out for a long tune in Virginia : A distinction not founded solely on his wealth, which was great, or his station: But his own personal merit. Extensive know* Hischarao ^dg e attaint d by study, improved by observation ^ r . and refined by a familiar acquaintance with the il- lustrious characters of his time, were the qualities universal!) ascribed to him by the prints of the day. How much of this eulogy is just, or whe- ther his character in anywise corresponded with this portrait, cannot be precisely known without a more intimate knowledge of facts. It is uni- versally agreed that his taste for expense, his mu- nificence, not to say profusion, exceeded any thing of the kind hitherto known in Virginia. It is the duty of history to pronounce one part of his eulogy, which, as it is justly earned, will act, and by comparing the several clauses together, it seems lo us, that the act is not, now in force, but expired at the then war. D. RYDER, I. STRANGE. Having received direction from the lords justices for putting- the colony into the best posture of defence, upon the present uncertain state of ^ubiic affairs, I hereby order and require all commanding officers in the several respective counties, to keep themselves prepared and in readiness against any at- tempt that may be made upon this colony from any quarter whatsoever, and to ate tha the militia be kept; under g'>od or- der and discipline, and that they be provided with arms and the law directs* WILLIAM GOOCH; VIRGINIA, 1 15 become him better than a thousand wreaths of false and fantastic adulation. He telt a laudable and rational pride in preserving the antiquities of his country : Nor can we believe that this pro- ceeded merely from the cold spirit of an antiqua- rian. The antiquities he preserved contained ma- terials for an history of his country.* MEANWHILE the aspect of Europe rendered necessary the most pointed attention to the seru- ept. 4, rity of the colony. To give the greater effect to 1744.' the inveterate hostility which appears equally to Projen of have influmed both nations, the court of France . Franre to resolved to make use of the name of the ex popfsii eluded family, and impose a king on England in tender, spite of the wishes of the people. Report of these preparations had already reached England, and a suspicion arising of their true motives, an account was transmitted to the colonies, with ad Nov. 21. vice to put themselves in readiness against the 1745. threatened danger. To carry into effect these intentions, an assembly was necessary, and this body was accordingly convened. The go- vernor's speech, after a short apology for the se- Assembly, veral prorogations, passing slightly over some matters of lesser importance, proceeds to detail the motives which induced the treaty with the northern Indians, and justifies the propriety of purchasing the lands in dispu ! e between tSicm and the governments of Maryland and Pennsylvania, instead of asserting it by arms. From these lo- cal conctrns, it passes to matters of greater magnitude. The battle of Dettiagen and the * IV1SS. copies of his public and private journal are in my possession, and the MSS. copies of the ta'e records from whence I derived materials for my two fir^t volumes, were collected and preserved by him and his son. 116 HISTORY OF daring courage and conspicuous gallantry of the king are placed before the house as objects calcu- lated to raise their devotion 10 his interest and exalt their courage ; and whist this picture is yet fresh upon their imaginations it lays before them the diabolical project of France, in conjunction with Rome, to impose on the English nation a popish pretender. The several answers of the council and burgesses* were mere echoes of the speech. They appear however to breathe a spi- rit be} ond the mere effect of forms. Both the matter and manner ir.dted of the speeches and addresses were certainly improving at this time : ror is it in these alone that amendment is visible. The essays and light pieces to be found in the periodical papers of the clay discover a greater expansion of knowledge, together with a taste aid judgment, which agreeably disappoint, because they are wholly unexpected. BUT the assembly, notwithstanding the ex- August 10. pectation raised by their address, came to a close \vi.huut making any provision for the object re- commended in the governor's speech. A bill had bu-ii brought in to raise a sum for the repair and maintenance of the forts : But in tht course of the debate it was discovered that nothing ade- quate to the supposed exigencies could be gained from the determined economy of the assembly. The advocates for an immediate supply aimed at too much ; and the bill after a long and warm * The burgesses' answer concludes in these guarded words i We have the greatest satisfaction in assuring your honour, that we will concur with you in every measure that is necessary, with that cheerfulness and affection which be- coii'.e a house of burgesses, tender and jealous of the honour of the crown, careful and solicitous for the welfare and pros- perity of this colony."' VIRGINIA. 117 debate was negatived by a considerable majority. CHAP. The governor's language in adjourning them, miu- nifested thee deepest disappointment* but no A<;K ,.- rude nor even impolite expression escaped him. meat. He knew and respected the rights of the assem bly, because that body was well acquainted with their own rights and their power. * Gentlemen of the Council, Mr. Speaker, and gentlemen of the House of Bvrgesse*, I AM now to give you my thanks for the bills you have presented to me : Which, I trust, as I am sure they are cal- culated with that view, will be for the benefit and conveiu- tncy of the people. But, Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses, I did hope, in compliance with what I recommended to you at the opening of this session, and indeed correspondent to your address, you wou'd have contributed, either towards repairing our butteries, which my concern for the public safety prompted me to ask ; or, that the sense of the common danger would have animated you with a more laudable zeal, and warmed you into a vigorous and unanimous resolution) of exerting your utmost efforts to convince your country, at this perilous conjuncture, that you had made the best pro- vision for her true interest and protection. But since every motion of that kind has been rejectel, and more effectual measures, though they obtained the cre- dit of a bill, have been debated into a negative, that such pro- ceed ngs may not be censured worse than they deserve. Gentlemen cfthe Council and House of Burgesses, I do expect from your known affection to his majesty's person and government, that during your recess in your re- spective counties, you will diligently discharge the duty in- cumbent upon you, as well in your military as civil capaci- ties ; by taking special care the several musters be attended with proper officers, the men well disciplined, and provided with arms andammunition ; and by sirictly putting the laws In execution against all disturbers of the peace. 118 . HISTORY OF ABOUT this time Edward Trelawney, governor of Jamaica, was authorized to raise a regiment in Governor Virginia; and the first public exhibition of any thing of Jamaica in the nature of shews or entertainments, was exhi- authonzed fc^ed about the same time. The main objects of cti- !f vif " riosity in this exhibition were a solar, or as the acl- ^irnent in , * . Vijginia. vertisemeni stiled it,a camera obscura microscope, and a musical clock of the most exquisite work- Growth manship, so organized as to play the most la. and im- vourite opera airs and sonatas, with some of the of Htcmure best pi eces of Corelli and other masters. It was recommended to the public by the assurance that the king had bestowed the warmest praise on the beauty of its workmanship and the wonderful principle on which its harmony was founded. SEVERAL other objects of literary curiosity occurred during this period, confirming what has been said of the growth of taste and expansion of intellect. In the neighbouring colony of Penn- sylvania Cicero's Cato Major, or discourse on old age, was translated by James Logan. This was erroneously supposed to be the first classic tran- slation executed in the western world. It has been already shewn that a translation of Ovid's Art of Love by Mr. Sandys was done in Virginia so early as 1624, more than a century before. The newspapers of the day contain a notice from William Stith, the historian, to his subscribers, which shews that his valuable book was then in a considerable state of forwardness. And as you are, no doubt, impatient to visit your private affairs, I shall keep you no longer than to acquaint you, that I have thought fit to prorogue this assembly to the third Thursday in December next ; arid this assembly is ac- cordingly prorogued to thai time. VIRGINIA. THE address* of governor Cooch to the grand jury til' the general court is t)ev:rvmg of notice. It appe.ii s thai swarms of Methodists, Moravians Address of and New Light Presbyterians, presuming on the governor humane and tolerant spirit of the times, hud f *? jury. * WILLIAMSBURG, APBIL 25th. Thursday last being the fourth day of the general court, his honour the governor was pleased to deliver the follow- m charge to the gen icmen of the grand jury; which they afterwards requested his honour to permit to be published. Gentlemen of the Grand Jury, Without taking notice of the ordinary 'matters and things you are called to a 1 tend, and sworn .o make inquisition for, I must on this occasion tuin to your thoughts and recom- mend to your present service another subject of importance, wnich I thank God has been unusual, bu., I hope, will be most effectual, I mean the information I have received of certain fasle teachers mat are lately crept into this govern- ment; who, without order or license, or producing any ttbt inonial of their educu ion or sect, professing themselves mini-.ters under the pretended influence of new light, ex- triror- i ary impulse, and such like satirical and enthusiasti- cai knowledge, lead the innocent and ignorant people into all kinds of drlubion ; and in this frantic and prophane dis- gu se, though such is their heterodoxy, that they treat all other modes of uorship with the u most scorn and contempt, yst as it they had bound themselves on oath to do many things against the religion of the blessed Jesus, that pillar and stay of the truth and reformed church, to the great dis- honour of Almighty God, and the discomfort of serious Christians, thty endeavour to make their followers believe that salvation is not to be obtained in their communion. As this denunciation, ii 1 am rightly advised, in words not decent to repeat, iias been by one of them publickly af- firmed, and shews what manner of sp> it they all of them are of in a country hitherto remarkiblt? tor uniformity in wor- ship, und where the saving crutsis of the Gospel are, con stantjy inculcated, I did promise myself, either that their 120 HISTORY OF CHAP, spread themselves over the country, arid were at- .- _.* ._. U mpting to propagate their doctrines with all the ardour and vehemence of gesture, and boldnes of denunciation, which mark the first moments of a preaching would be in vain, or that an insolence so criminal would not long be connived at. And, therefore, gentlemen, since the workers of a deceit- ful work, blaspheming our sacraments* and reviling our ex- cellent liturgy, are said to draw disciples after them, and we know not whereunto this separation may grow, but may easily foretel into what a distracted condition, by long for- bearance, this colony will be reduced, we are called upon by (he rights of society, and what, I am persuaded, will be with you as prevailing an inducement, by the principles of Christianity, to put an immediate stop to the devices and in- trigues of these associated scismaties, who having, no doubt, assumed to themselves the apostacy of our weak brethren, we mav be assured that there is not any thing so absurd but what they will assert, nor any doctrines or precepts so sa- cmi but what they will prevert and accommodate to their favourite theme, railing against our religious establish- ment ; for which in any other country, the British dominions only excepted, they would be very severely handled. Flowever, not meaning to inflame your resentment, as we may without breach of charity pronounce, that 'tis not liber- ty of conscience, but freedom of speech, they so earnestly prosecute ; and we are very sure that they have no manner of pretence to any shelter under the acts of toleration, be- cause, admitting they have had regular ordination, they are by those acts obliged, nor can they be ignorant of it, not only to take the oaths, and with the test to subsciibe, after a de- liberate reading of them, some of the articles of our religion, before they presume to officiate. But that in this indulgent grant, though not expressed, a covenant is intended, where- by they engage to preserve the character of conscientious men, and not to use their liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, To that I say, allowing their ordination, yet as they have rot, by submitting to those essential points, qualified them- selves to gather a congregation, or if they had. in speaking all manner of evil against us, have forfeited the privilege due to such compliance; insomuch, that they are entirely without excuse, and their religious professions are very VIRGINIA, 121 new sect in religion. Some accounts of violent CHAP, and intemperate expressions on the part of these _ J/; ^ zealots had reached the ears of the governor, and " he conceived it to be his duty to repress the fury of a zeal which threatened the tranquility of so- ciety. GOVERNMENT had not yet learned the secret of subduing the frenzy of religious bigotry by suffering it to waste its powers, and perish by convulsions of its own exciting. But this mis- take was not confined to the governor. Almost all the in ellie:ent men in the colony, and amongst the rest several who afterwards became distin- guished as the champions of an unqualified free- April 24, dom in ever} thing relating to the human mind, 1745. approved the doctrines contained in the gover- nor's charge. Even the venerable name of Pen- justly suspected to be the result of Jesuitical policy, which also is an iniquity to be punished by the judges. I roust, as in duty bound to God and man, charge you in, the most solemn manner, to make strict inquiry after those seducers, and if they, or any of them, are still in this go- vernment, by presentment or indictment to report them to the court, that we, who are in authority under the dtfender of our faith, and the appointed guardians to our constiiuiion and state, exercising our power in this respect for the pro- tection of the people committed to our care, may shew our zeal in the maintainance of the true religion ; not as the manner of some is, by violent oppression, but in putting to silence by sach method as our law directs, the calumnies and invectives of these bo;d accusers, and in dispelling as we are devoutly disposed, so dreadiul and dangerous a combi- nation. In short, gentlemen, we should deviate from the pious path we profess to tread in, and should be unjust to God, to our king, to our country, to ourselves and to our posterity, not to take cognizance of so great a wickedness, whereby the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is turned into fiess. 122 HISTORY OF tflcton, appears in the class of the persecutors,/ a proof that liberality and toleration are not in- stinctive qualities, the growth of an hour ; but the result of wisdom and experience. THE coast of Virginia being left unguarded by the departure of the royal ships for Europe and New England, the governor engaged a Ber- muda built sloop, and armed her for a guarda coasta. A dispatch arrived from commodore \\ ; arren,* announcing the landing of the New En- gland troops under Shirley and Pepperel, in Cha- Exprcss of paurouge Bay, and the capture of the grand bat- the capture terv> This was quickly followed by an express bur 1S * lne surrtn d er * Louisburg and the island of Cape Breton. THIS singular expedition, concerted and exe- cuted with such admirable skill and courage by the New England states, was a profound secret to the other colonies until the moment of its exe- cution ; and was not more honourable to that con- federacy than beneficial in its consequences to all the colonies. Calculated as it was to enhance Liberalit ^ ie re P utat * on * colonial bravery in the esteem drag- VIRGINIA: 129 THERE Is even reason to believe that the Mas- CH.\P. sachusetts assembly, like that of Vi^inia, wink- ed at the popular excesses on this occasion. ged away from thence, beat, plundered and put in the stocks ; and greater outrages committed at night in a re- bellious manner upon myself and his majesty's council, by being surrounded in the council chamber by an anned mob| and assaulted there with brick-bats, and fay their forcibly en- tering the town house, and after vards the same mob as- sembling before my house in a tumultuous manner, and threatening to burn a barge which they then thought be- longed to his majesty, in my court yard ; possessing them- selves of the gates of the town, and threatening to seize all his majesty's officers then in the town and detain them as hostages, and subject them to the violence of their arbitrary and lawless will, in defiance and to the overthrow of his ma- jesty's government; and findi g myself with ^ut a proper and sufficient force for suppressing this insurrection and main- taining the king's authority in the town ; the soldiers of the militia there having refused and neglected to obey my or- ders given them by their officers to appear under arms, for quelling this tumult) and to k ep a military watch \t night; and there being reason to apprehend that the insurrection was secretly countenanced and encouraged by some ill mind- ed inhabitants and persons of influence in the town ; and that the same rebellious rout would be repea'ed the night following; 1 did not think it consistent with the honour of his majesty's government to remain longer in the midst of it, destitute of all proper means for suppressing it, preserv- ing the peace and protecting his majesty's subjects com- mitted to my care, but have retired to his majesty's castle, William, till I Can assemble a sufficient force of the pro- vince militia from the neigbouring regiments in the country, to quell the tumult and lestore his majesty's government and the public tranquility in the town of Boston : For which purpose I would have y u forthwith issue orders to the colo- nels of the several regiments of ihe towns of Cambridge, Roxbury and Milton, and of the regiment of horse; to cause the officers of the respective regiments to hold them- selves in readiness to march at an hour's warning, to suctk place of rendezvous as I shall further order, which I ljopc> K 130 HISTORY OF GHAP. THE importance of the Six Nations ab'out il* this time is proved by the proceedings of almost "* all the colonial legislatures. Apprehensions were entertained that the intrigues of the French had together with such officers and gentlemen of the to\?n of Boston, (of whose duty and zeal for his majesty's service I received an undoubted mark in their message to n.e upon this occasion by colonel Hu chinson) the sheriff and inferior civil officers in discharging their respective duties for the tnaintenance of his majesty's government and restoring the public peace; and at the same time I would have you to draw up letters to be sent wiih those orders to the several colone s, pu porting the occasion of them, and my depend- ence upon the duty ai>d zeal of their respective regiments, for his service ; and then transmit the letters to me fairly wrote, to be signed and immediately forwarded, 1 would al- so have you take the first opportunity to Communicate this letter to the gentlemen of his majesty's council and house of representatives, and let them know that I am greatly con- cerned at their being disturbed in the public business by this rebellious riot and tumult ; and that I desire they would pro- ceed in it, and that I vvill concur with them in any measures for his majesty's service, and the interest of the province ; and doubi not from their known zeal for both of being ena- bled with their assistance, to set all things right now, and pi event such riots in the town of Boston, and breaches in his majesty's government for the future. I shall be likewise glad ot the advice of the gentlemen of the council upon this occasion, and of seeing them here for that purpose; if they think his majesty's service require it. Inclosed 1 send you governor Knowles's answer to the let- ter which I sent him yeistcrday and read over to you first, and which I am sorry has not procured yet the dismission of the inhabitants of the province, lately impressed and car- ried on board his squadron, as also of many other seamen belonging to ouiwaul bound vessels; which I am satisfied he would have clone instantly had not the outrages committed on his officer and the king's government prevented him ; and I am sorry to say that further obstructions are laid in my way by the mobs securing and detaining captain Erskin, as also some petty officers last night in custody ; but 1 have the sutislaction to find that my answer to Mr Knowjes's letter drum hence, has prevtmeU him from putting Ins resolutions VIRGINIA. 131 ?. weakened their attachment to the English inter, est, and the utmost solicitude is discovered to conciliate them by presents : It appears that these exertions were not without success : But in execution, which, had I remaine-l jn Boston, nothing wculd have hindeted I likewise received another lerttr from him between three and four ociock this .morn ing, with an offer of two hundred marines to reinforce the Ostlt, and that he would come with them in person., but i instantly excused myself from accepting his offer (as w>*at must have cast a reflection upon the loyalty of the whol* province to 3\is majesty) by letting him know that I did not retire here for safety to ray own person, but only to shew a public mark of my resentment at the behaviour of the town uf Boston upon this occasion, and until I had collected sufficient of the country militia to quell the insurrection ; and that I had not the least apprehension ol the Castle being in danger from the mob; however, I found ihis morning he had b- ought three of his ships nearer tbe Cas'le, and I hear, design* to come near the next tide; but as I shall dine on board with him to-day, I will endeavour to divert him fr,.m such thoughts, and to influence him to discharge the inhabitants, and as many others as I can n the end, but cat not promise success from the present temper I hear he is in at Erskiir*s being in the mob's possession ; which I earnestly wish could be forthwith remedied. I have only to add, that notwith- standing I think the soldiers oft he militia of the town of Bos- ton have b; en very tardy in their duty on this occasion, and be- haved very ill, I shall be concerned at fixing .a lasting brand upon the town for their failure in it, and therefore, notwith- standing my b< fore mentioned orders (which I will not sus- pend) if they will obey the orders thty have received by .-p- pearing forthwith under arms, and exert themselves vigour* ousiy in dispersing the mob and securing the ring-Ieactxs, und enforcing the execution of the civil authority, so as that I may be sure of finding myself in a condition of sup- porting his majesty's government in the town, arid obtaining satisfaction for the indignities offtrtd it, and the rebellious breaches of the peace* without my calling on the aid of the country regiments, I will yet give them an opportunity of retrieving their own honour and my good opinion of them. 132 HISTORY OP the treaty of Aix la-Chapelle, which took place about this time, rendered this and the other ex- Yi |;<,runce pedients of less value in the tstimation of the co- ot the Six lonists. They imagined, and not without reason,. tnat their own obvious interests as well as the na- tional honour were sacrificed by some of the sti- pulations of this treaty. The encroachments of the enemy on the territory of the Five Nations, the allies of the Knglish, and their project of connecting the St. Laurence with the Mississippi, were parsed over in silence, and a tacit right was thereby acknowledged to these dangerous preten- sions. But what was considered particularly by the people of New England as the most repre- hensible concession, was the surrender of Cape Breton. This island was regarded as the price oi colonial bravery, aid ii was thought unfeeling and impolitic to barter away this first conspicuous garland of American glory. and preventing an infamous reproach upon the duty and loy- al y of the town. Ii is fit thut all grievances should be inquired into and re- dressed, so far as it is in the power of this government to do it : But I am sure the people have sufteied no grievance from the government on this occasion. 1 am, sir, your mosi assured friend and servant, W. SHIRLEY. Some further particulars concerning the riot. On the 17th of November, being the day on which the riot began, a committee of the council and house of representatives was appointed to inquire into the impress whkh had been made of the inhabitants of the province, and the disorders conse- quent thereon in the town of Boston, and on the 29th of November, befoie that committee had made a report, the house of representatives passed several resolves, and ap- pointtd a committee who upon the same day waited upoft the governor at Castle William, with a copy thereof. VIRGINIA, 133 THE new assembly met agreeably to proro^n- CH\P. tion on the third of November, and af ier the UMial l! formalities, proceeded to an immediate inquiry New a* into the question of a site for the new capitol. stmblv. The last prorogation hud taken place with a view Nov 3 - to let the passions of the moment piss away, ard perhaps in the hope of being able to influence particular members by personal solicitations. The governor, notwithstanding his former re- serve, was now the avowed head of the party for retaining the government at Williamsburg, and in his communication he expressly wishes that the public edifices should be erected on the old foundations. A considerable change had taken place in public opinion on this head. In the as- sembly, immediately subsequent to the loss of the capitol, there were but fifteen votes in favour of the present site, and the spirited discussions in the public journals were calculated to increase this majority. The strong resolution manifested by the last assembly on this head had caused its dissolution, and it was supposed that the irrita- tion produced by this measure would tend to confirm the opposition to the present site, yet contrary to all expectation, a decided majority appeared against a removal. Nor can this be as- cribed to any want of virtue or intelligence in this body. By an inspection* it will be seen that * The following: is a list of the burgesses elected for the se- veral counties, to serve in the present general assembly, viz. For AccomaC) Thomas Parramore, Edward Allen, Albemarle) Joshua Fry, Charles Lynch, Amelia, Thomas Tabb, Wood Jones, John Wilson, John Maddison, Sterling Clack, Drury 1541 HISTORY OF CHAP. It contained some of the most respectable names in Virginia. Caroline, John Bylor, Lunsford Lorn ax, Charles City, Richard Kennon, Edward Broadnax, Elizabeth City, William WestwooiJ, John Tabb, JEsser, William Beverly, William Dangerfield, Fairfax, Laurence Washington, Richard Osburne^ Frederick, George Fairfax, Gabriel Jones, Gloucester, Beve.rley Whiting, Francis Willis, Goochtand, George Cavinglon, Archibald Gary, Hanover, W lliam Merhvether, John Chiswell? Henrico, John Boiling, Richard Randolph, James City, Carter Burvvell, Benjamin Waller, Isle of Wight, John Simmons, Richard Gray, King George, Charles Carter, Henry Turner, King and Queen, John Robinson, George Braxton, King William, Bernard Moore, Francis West, Lancaster, Joseph Chinn, Peter Conway, Louisa, Abraham Venable, Charles Barret, Lunenburg, Clement ReacJe, Henry Embry, Middlesex* Ralph Wormley, Philip Grymes, Mmscmund, Lemuel Riddick, William Hunter, JVew Kent, William Hickaday, William Massie, Norfolk, Willis Wilson, William Portlock, Northampton, Littleton Eyre, Matthew Harmanson, Northumberland, Presley Thornton, Spencer Ball, Orange, George Taylor, John Spotswood, Princess Anne, Anthony Wilks, Jacob Elligood, Prince George, Richard Bland, Francis Eppes, Prince William, Thomas Harrison, Joseph Blackwell, Richmond, William Fantleroy, John Woodbridge. Sjlotsylvania, William Waller, Rice Custis, Stafford* William Fitzburg, Peter Hedgeman, Sumj, Robert Jones, Augustus Claiborne, Warwick, William Harwood, Jol>n Langhorne, Westmoreland, John Bush rod, George Lee, York, Thomas Nelson (secretary), Ed. Diggs, James Town, Philip Ludwell, Williamsburg, The Attorney-general, Norfolk Town, Robert Todd, The College, Beverley Randolph. VIRGINIA, SEVERAL acts of an interesting nature were pas- CHAP. sed daring this session. By one the grants in the ** Northern Neck were confirmed as they then stood. Petersburg and Blandford were established as towns, and the use of wooden chimnies was for- bidden in them. Richmond had been established during the preceding session : All precisely at the puints marked out by colonel William Byrd in his journal before alluded to. During the succeeding assembly we discover the same new born fondness for towns. Acts passed for building one in Au- gusta in King William, near Warwick in Henri- co, and at Hunting Creek Ware house in Fair- fax. During this session also, a general revisal of the laws was ordered, and Peyton Randolph, Philip Ludwell, Beverley Whiting, Carter Bur- wcil and Benjamin Waller were appointed a com- mittee to superintend the revisal and prepare the index. During this session too several grants of land were made out in favour of adventurers on tlit other side of the mountains. The houses in Philadelphia at this time amounted to two thou- sand and seventy-six, exclusive of Churches and public buildings. MEANWHILE the governor and his family be- ing on die eve of a final departure from Virginia, the president and council waited on him with an address, dictaied by die sincerest respect for his Goveraor public and private virtues, and the most unafFect- txl regrets, added those of the whole colony, at his departure ; they were followed by the college municipality of Williamsburg. He had been more than twenty two years governor of the co- lony, and notwithstanding repeated differences in opinion with the house of burgesses, not a single expression of disrespect or incivility escap- ed him in his various communications with that body. As commander of the colonial forces oa 13S HISTORY OF His cha- racter. CHAP, a distant expedition, he is equally clear of offence and imputation ; and when after the reduction of Louisbure an important expedition is projected against the French possessions, the Virginians are called upon to enlist under a solemn assurance that they shall be commanded by their favourite Gooch. HE appears by the stile of his communications to have been a man of an excellent capacity. His morality was recomended by the example of his private virtues : But although sincere and in ge- neral beneficial, it was tinctured by a slight shade of intolerance, principally owing to the prevailing apprehensions of popery, and the agi- tation of party opinion in those times. As the reward of his long and iaithful services he was created a baronet. His family formed connections in Virginia, and after his departure he continued the warm and stedfast friend of the colony. Nothing can better establish this fact than his appointment as agent to present and enforce the assembly's petition to the king for a reduc- tion of the tax* on tobacco. He departed OR * The following state of the tobacco trade was published in the London Genera^ Advertiser, by an eminent Virginia merchant, at a time that the ministry intended to have laid u farthing a pound on all tobacco exported. " In whatever light we take a view of the British tobacco plantations, they merit a large sh;.re in the British legisla- ture, and they have been treated accordingly whenever they have obliged to have recourse to parliament. " The general grovuh of tobacco for several years past is computed to be 62 000 hhds. per annum, each hogshead weighing about QOOlbs. net one with another. " The consumption of tobacco in Great Britain is sup- posed rather lo diminish than increase, especially if we do lake not into consideration the quantity' of tobacco used ir* siiiiii which is said to have increased considerably. VIRGINIA. 13 ;the 14th of August, 1749, amidst the blessings CHAP. iind tears of the people, amongst whom he had L. livtd as n wi^e and beneficent iaditr. * The quanti y of tobacco computed to be exported to fo- .reign parts is said to be 50,000 hhds. comunibus annis, winch pays no revenue to the c: own as tobacco, but with regard to ihe balance of the trade w.th foreign nations, it n a) be truly stated at upwards of 400,0001 per annum, be- sides the -mplrymem of above 25 000 tons of British ship- ping; ; of which 400,0001. per annum, after paying the ne- ctsbury charges of foreign insurance and bringing to market, ti ere does not remain to the maker scarce .100,0001. per an- num, the other 300,000 may not be called a duty but is a tax on the maker of 300 per cent, which ihe planters in Eu- rope have not to struggle with; and dur-ng the war is so g eat a load on British tobacco as may be doubted whether it can be supported without additional favours from the le^is* lature. " An additional duty of one fourth per Ib laid on the ex- portation will take away near 50,000i. p; r annum from the n** ker, who then would have only 50.0001. per annum for tMr support; and this is a duty to them of cent, per cetdthe war song: But the influence pf 4u president prevented an encount r, by giv- ing time k>r exphm tions. The Chen kees" aver- red thaube\ x r es^es complained of had been per- petrated by a iVifit rent tribe, and the two nations snoked. together the calumet of peace. THIS incident Irishes a proof that the Indi- ans of Virginia, ca^l tributciry Indians, enjoy- ed their iormer not.o^ of independence, and preserved their unconque^bie spirit and their ex- ternal customs in cktiance o} tnei r melancholy reverse of fortune, and aliho^h surrounded by the genius and power of the \vlite man. LURING this administration the New York company of comedians were permuted to buiiel a thrali e in Willinmsbin, and for the ele- fancies as well as the more erudite pai* s oi litera- ture shone out beneath the patronage aixl exam- ple of the president. Nothing of' the character of this gentleman, so far as I am acquainted, has desccnde cl in aay authentic record to our times : lint his surviving cotcniporaries represent him to have been emintmly profound and polished as a scholai and a gentleman. During his residence in he had bteu comptiied to submit to the VIRGINIA. Hi operation of trepanning in consequence of a frac- CH "^P. ture by a fail from his horse, and Was ever after oc- _ casionally subject to derangements, to which his intense study in almost every branch of human knowledge wrs thought to htve not i little contri- buted, tiis last act was a farther prorogation of the as-embl) to the first Thursday in March in the foi lotting year. BUT it was not in Virginia alone that the in- October 9, fluence of literary improvement began to be fcir. 175 1. In the neighbouring settlement of Pennsylvania Luei -T the progress of inventive wisdom kept pace with I"^',^ any thing that is recorded of the mobt polished tUe colonies age or nation in a given time. So early as t!;c rear 17^0 a newspaper lud been established ii .Philadelphia, and after a short interval a seen .u was set en foot. Thenceforward improvements in political economy rapidly developed them- selves, by the procreative genius of Franklin, at once the humblest and most exalted of hum in k and the spark of colonial. patriotism was fanned into a flame by his terse and 5 )i"i:e.l discussions. FHOM these familiar but useful topics he rose all at once above the horizon in the brightness of a primal planet. The science of electricity had been little more than a collection of independent facts, badly connected and worse understood. Their uses or application had not been so much as conjectured : But the results of the succesful experiments excited the curiosity of philosophers, and amongst the rest, of the young Penr.svha- nian. Some observations on the late ex, ments, communicated to the library company .-if Philadelphia by a Mr. Coilinson, first attracted his attention to this subject. After having as- certained the power of points in drawing and throwing o*F the electrical matter, which hal escaped the notice of ills predecessors, he effect- 142 HISTORY OF CHAP, ed his grand discovery of a plus and a minu$ ____ _ state of electricity. By deductions from this, he explained in a sa- tisfactory manner the .phenomena of the Ley den phial, which had hitherto eluded the sagacity of electricians. He afterwards demonstrated that the electricity did not reside .in the coating, as had been imagined, but in the pores of the glass itself.* HE next suggested his idea of explaining the .phenomena of thunder gusts and of the aurora bo- realis, upon electrical principles, and he conceived the sublime idea of drawing down the forked lightning from the clouds. But there is no end to an enumeration of his virtues and literary at- chievements : Suffice it to say, that his name in. the course of this history will be found associated with the prosperity and glories of his country. COTEMPORARY with him and long united in habits of familiar and friendly intercourse, lived the self taught mathematician Godfrey, the real inventor of the quadrant denominated Hartley's. The ingenious and learned Logan of Pennsylva- nia has collected the evidence on this head, and it must be pronounced irresistible, f The story of this ingenious man, thus cheated of his fame, suggests the fate of the great Columbus, suffering a like injustice from the ingratitude or neglect of posterity. In Boston a press had been establish- ed earlier than in the other provinces. In Vir- ginia until 1736 there was no newspaper, and it was the only one in the colony for many years. Project of BEFORE I close this period it may not be amiss sir William to ta ^ e some notice of an extraordinary project of Keith. sir William Keith for raising a revenue within Franklin's Life. t Miller's Retrospect, VIRGINIA, US 'be colonies by act of parliament. The original CHAP. MSS. is in my hands, bearing- date November, l<28, l)etter than one year after Keith had been superseded in his government by major Gordon. This paper is important as being the earliest evi- dence on record, of an avowed project for raising to internal revenue in the colonies by an act of [he British legislature. The apparent motive of the projector was to provide a regular force against the incursions of the Indians and tire intrigues of France, instead of depending on the precarious and inadequate supplies of the colonial legisla- tures. The more immediate and particular oc- casion was the indisposition constantly manifest- ed by the Quakers, who formed a majority of the Pennsylvania legislation, to war on any account, even of a defensive nature. JUDGING from the character drawn by Benja- min Franklin for this projector, as well us the te- nor of the instrument in question, there is reason to believe that he was in a great measure influ- enced by motives of personal ambition. Thi* project, which is given at length, discovers considerable knowledge of the American tnxle, and it is drawn up with no small art and judg- ment. But the sagacious minister to whose consideration it was recommended by the com- missioners of trade, easily detected the fallacy of its reasoning ; and however insensible he might have been to he suggestions of honour and mo- rality, he declared himself deficient in the hardi- hood necessary for carrying into execution a pro- ject at once so full oi danger and so pernicious to commerce. 144 HISTORY OF Copy of sir William Keith's scheme, presented to the king of Great Britain, November. 1728, and i cj erred in council to tlie lords commissioners of trade. TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY: " May it please your Majesty, " SINCE the observations contained in the following discourse, were occasionally made in your majesty's and your royal father's service abroad, during the space of twelve years; f most humbly beg leave to lay them at your royal feet, as a natural effect of the purest loyalty to your sacixd person, and the only means which is left in my power to serve the public, and to de- monstrate that I am, " May it please your Majesty, " Your Majesty's" " Most humble, most fathful and " Most obedient subject, W. KEITH. A SKORT DISCOURSE ON THE PRESENT STATE it ti SPECT TO GREAT BRITAIN. " HAPPY are the people whose lot it is to be governed by a prince who does not wholly de- pend upon the representations of others, but makes it a chief part of his delight to inspect the condition of his subjects, according to their se- veral ranks and degrees ; who, from the clearness of his own mind, distinguishes the true merit of his servants, leaving the liberties and properties VIRGINIA. of His people to be equally guarded and justly de- fended by a punctual execution of the laws. " THE unbounded extent of knowledge, to be clailv acquired by the judicious inquiry and ap- plication of such a prince will soon abolish the use of flattery, and the pernicious effects of all de- signed misrepresentation. The paths of virtue arid honour, with a strict adherence to truth, will be the only avenues of access to the sovereign's esteem ; and the royal favour in such a reign, will ever be agreeably dispensed, in proportion to the useful conduct and true merit of the parly. " So great an example from the throne will doubtless inspire every honest bi east with a better share of public spirit - men's thoughts will not then be so intent on what they can get for them* selves, as on what they can do for their country. And as for such parts of the prince's prerogative and executive power, as necessarily must be in- trusted with ministers, they will ever be thought an lid vantage and security to a nation ; while the conduct of the ministry principally shines in the support of liberty, which cannot fail to gain the hearts and affections of a free people. " WHEN, either by conquest or increase of people, foreign provinces are possessed, and co- lonies planted abroad, it is convenient and often necessary to substitute little dependent provincial governments, whose people, by being franchisee! and made partakers of the liberties and privileges belorkgingto the original mother state, are jus : ly bound by its laws ; and become subservient to its interests, as the true end of their incorporation. ' EvE.iY act of a dependent provincial go- vernment ought therefore to teiminate in the ad- vantage of the mother state, u to whom it owes itis being, and by whom it is protected ui ail i** T 4(5 HISTORY CfF CHAP, valuable privileges. Hence it follows, that all ad? *I vantagecus projects or commercial gains, in any colon) , which art truly prejudicial to and incon- sistent with the interest of the mother state, must 1 be understood to be illegal, and the practice thereof unwarrantable: because they contradict the end for vhich the colony had a being, and are incompa- tible with the terms on which the people claim both privileges and protection. " \\ERE these things rightly understood amongst the inhabitants of the British colonies in America, there would be less occasion tor such in- structions and strict prohibitions as are daily sent from England to regulate their conduct in many points. The very nature ot the thing would be sufficient to direct their choice, in cultivating such parts of industry and commerce only, as vould bring some advantage to the interest and trade of Great Britain : They would soon find b} experience that this was the solid and true foundation, \\ hereon to build a real interest in the- it n other country, and the certain means to acquire; riches \\ithoutenvy. '*ON the other hand, where the government of a provincial colony is well regulated and all its business and con. me ice truly adapted to the pro- per end and design ot the first seulement such a province, like a choic^ branch springing from the main root, ought to be careful!) nourished, aiid its just interest well guarded. No little, par* tiai project, or party gam, should be suffered to afkct ii : But rather it ought to be considered and \\eighed in the general balance of the \\hole state, as an useful and profitable member; for such is the end of all colonies, and if this use cair-ot be made of them, it vvoulet be better i#r the state, to be \\ ithotit them. VIRGINIA. cf IT has ever been the maxim of all polished na- to regulate their government to the best ad van- tage of their trading interest ; whence it may be helpful to take a short view of the principal benefits ari.-jii.g to Great Britain from the trade of the co- lonies. 4< 1. THE colonies take off and consume above one sixth part of the woollen manufactures t x- p or ted from Great Britain ; which is the chief staple of England, and the main support of the landed interest. kl 2. THEY. take off and consume more ihan dou- ble that value in linen and cal.'icoes, which arp partly the product of Britain and Ireland, and partly the profitable returns made for that product when parried to foreign countries. " 3. THE luxury of the colonies, which in- creases daily, consumes great quantities oi hn- glish manufactured silks, haberdashery, house- hold furniture and trinkets of all sorts ; us also a ver\ considerable value in East India goods. " 4. A great revenue is raised to the crown of Britain by returns made in the produce of tr.e plantations, especially tobacco; which, at the same time helps England to bring nearer to a ba- lance her in profitable tnide with France. tk 5. THESE colonies promote the interest and trade of Britain, by a vast increase of shipping, and seamen, which enables them to earn gveyt quantities of fish to Spain, For meal, Leghorn, -&c. ; furs logwood arc -rice to Holland, where they keep Great Britain considoabi} in the ba- lai.ce of trade \\ith those countries. " 6. IF reasonably encouraged, the colonies are now in a condition to furnish Britain uith as much of the following commodities as it can de- mand, viz. Masting for the iiav} and all sons of kiiibtr, hemp, fiax, pitch, tai, oil, 48 HISTORY OP CHAP, per ore, vnth pig and bar iron ; by means where* iL oi tlie balance of trade to Russia and the Baltic "may be vtry much reduced in favour of Great Lritain. kfc 7. THE profits arising to all those colonies by- trade, are returned in bullion, or other useful ef- fects, to Great Briiain; where the supeifluous cash, and other riches, acquired in America^ must centre ; which is not one of the least secu- rities that B< itain has, to keep tne colonies always iii due subjection.* *' 8. THE colonies upon the -main are thq 'granary of America, and a necessary support ta tht sugar plantations in the West Indies, which could hot subsist wi hout them. " BY this short view of the trade in general, we "may plainly understand that these colonies may be vei} beneficially employed both for Great Bri- tain and tlum.stivis. without int< rfering vvuh any ol the staple manufactures of England. And considering the bulk and end of the whole traf- fic, 'twere pity that any material branch of it should bt depressed, on account of the private and particular interests, \\hich in comparison \vith these, cannot justly be esteemed a national concern; ior if the trade of the colonies be to the advantage of Britain, there is nothing more certain than that the discouragement of any sub- stantial branch, lor the sake of any company or el ** Note. If this maxim was true in 1728, ought not we, of the piesent generation, seriously to consider what will lx the probable consequences ot our trading with Britain for mucks ol luxury and extravagance. A commerce, \vl.ich rmi only luins the balance oi trade against us, and drains us ol our circulating cash, but also keeps m> consunuy and 1 gnacbicu to Her? VIRGINIA. 149 private Interest, would be a loss to the nation. CH\P. tut, hi order to set this point yet in a clearer _.J light, we will proceed to consider some of the most obvious regulations in the Amencaa trade, far rendering the colonies truly serviceable to Great Britain. " 1. THAT all the product of the colonies, for which the manufactures and trade of Britain have -a constant demand, be enumerated amongst the -goods uhich b\ the law must be first transport- ed to Britain before they -can be carried to any other market. * 4 -2. THAT even* valuable merchandize, fotrvl in the English colonies, and rarely any where else, and for which there is a constant demand in Europe, shall also be enumerated, in order to assist Great B itain in the balance of trade with other countries. 44 3. THAT all kinds of woolen manufactures, for which die colonies have a demand, shall con- tinue to be brought from Brrain only, and linen from Grtat Britain and Ireland. 44 '4. ALL other kind of European commodities to bt carried to the colonies, (salt ex-jepied) en- try- thrreof first to be made in Bi itain, before iiuy can be transported to any of the English col >r.ics. 41 5. THE colonies to be absolutely restrained, in their several governments, from laying any manner ot duties on shipping or trade iiom Eu- rope, or upon European goods ti ansporteci iruiii one colony to another. 44 6. THAT the acts of parliament relating to the trade and government of the colonies be re- vised, and collected into one distinct body of -laws, for the use of the plantations and of such as -trade with them. 14 SUPPOSING these things to be done, it will 'evidently ioiiow that the more extensive the traue 15* HISTORY OF ] of the colonies is, the greater will be the advan- tage accruing to Britain therefrom ; and, conse- quently, that the enlargement of the colonies, and the increase of their "people, would still be an addition to the national strength. All smaller im- provements, therefore, pretended and set up top private gain by the lesser societies, in Cireat Bri- tain or elsewhere, although they might have i just pretence to bring some sort of public bcne'lt along with them; yet if they shall appear to DC hurtful to the much greater and more national con- cern of the trading useful colonies, they ought in justice to the public to be neglected in favour of them. It being an unalterable maxim, that a les>er public good must give place to a greaser ; and that it is of more moment to maintain a greater than a lesser number of subjects well employee} to the advantage of any state. %< FROM what has been said of the nature of colonies, and the restrictions which ought to be laid on their trade, it is plain that none of the En- glish plantations in America can, with an) rea- son or good sense, pretend to claim an absolute legislative power within themsevles : So that, let their several constitutions be founded on ancient charters, royal patents, custom by preemption, or what other legal authority you please, yet still they cannot be possessed of any rightful capacity to contradict or evade the true intent or force of any act of parliament, wherewith the wisdom of Great Britain may think fit to affect them, from time to time: And in discoursing on their legis- lative powers (improperly so called in a depend- ent government) we are to consider them only as so many corporations, at a distance, invested \vith ability to make temporary bye laws for themselves, agreeable to their respective situa- tious and climates, but no ways interfering VIRGINIA, 151 leeral prerogative of the crown, or the true te- giMiuvv )> ver of tliv? 11 >;her state. IF the- governors and general assemblies of the se- ooionies would be pleased to consider them- selves in this ligh , o ic woul I think it \vas impossi- ble trR-y could be so weak as to fancy that they re- presented the king;, lords and Commons of Great Britain, within their little districts. And indeed the useless, or rnther hurtful and inconsistent constitution, of a negative council in all the king's provincial governments, contributed, as it is be- lieved, to lead them into this mistake: tor, so lo g as the king has reserved to himself in his privy council, the con: ideratiun of, and negative upon, a;i their laws ; the method of appointing a few of the richest and proudest men in a small colony, as an upper house, with a negative on the pro- ceedings of the king's lieutenant governor, and the people's representatives, seems not only to cramp the natural liberty of the subject there, but also the king'-- just power and prerogative: For it of- ten hap[>ens th.it very reasonable and good bills., sometimes proposed for the benefit of the crown b\ the wisdom of a good governor, and at other tunes offered by the people's representatives, in. bi half of their constituents, have been lost, and the of su % h m tele impracticable, by the ob- of a majority i,i the council; only be- cause such things did not square wkh their pri- vate particular interest and gain, or with the views which they form to themselves, by assum- ing an imagin.-rv dignity and r;ink above all the rest of i he kingS subjects. And as to the security, which it is pretended that either the crown or pro- prietary ma\ have by s teh a negative council, it is i;t quitt otherwise; for that caution \vouldbe imicii better secured ii this council was only a council oi suite to acivibe with the goveuioi, and HISTORY OF be constant witnesses of all public transactions- 3 and it cannot be thought that an officer who is not only under oaths and bonds, but answerable by law for his misdeeds, and removable at pleasure, would, in the face of witnesses so appointed, contradict a rational advice, thereby subjecting himself to grievous penalties and losses : Nei- ther is it to be supposed that these men, if they had only the privilege of advising, would oppose such good bills or other reasonable propositions, as they well knew they had no legal power to re- ject. But while they find themselves possessed ot a pei tmptory negative, without being in any sort accountable for their opinions, it is easy to imagine how such a power may be used on many occasions to serve their private interests and views in trade, as well as to indulge the too na- tural propensity which mankind have, especially abroad, to rule over and oppress their poor neigh- bours. Besides, an artful, corrupt governor will find means by preferments, &c. so to influence, a negative council, that knowing themselves to be under no bonds, or any other valuable penalty to answer the party aggrieved b} their opinions, they may without risk proceed in such manner as to screen the governor in mauy things which other- wise he would be personally and singly bound to account for in a legal and just way. IF then a council of state, only to advise with the governor, shall appear (in all emergencies and cases that can be proposed) to be equally useful, and not attended with the inc n istences, ob- structions and disadvantages of a negative coun- cil ; the one seems to be much preferable to the other, and more agreeable to that liberty and just equality which is established by the common law amongst Englishmen, and consequently less pro- VIRGINIA. 153 dnctive of those grievances and compl >ints which CH \p. have been so frequent hitherto from the planta- ' ^ u i__. lions. " A T first view it will appear natural enough for an Englishman, who has tasttd the sweetness of that freedom which is ei joyed u:-der the happy constitution of king, lords and commons of Great Britain, to imagine that a third part should be formed in the little governments of the planta- tions, in imitation of the house of lords; but if we might rightly consider" it, that part of the constitution is alrt-ady most pro; erly and fully supplied by the lords of his nvjes y's privy council : Jjcsic'es, let us suppose, that instead of an house of lords in Britain, a like number of select commoners were invested with a power to set apart, and to put a negative upon the pro- ceedings of the house of commons, consist! ng 1 of three times the number of persons of equal rank, and representing all the commons of Great Britain in parliament, the inconsistency and un- reasonableness of the tin- g does prtsen ly ob- trude itself upon our minds; and yet, su<:h is the very case of that negative, which is now practiced b} the councils in ,*m<-rica. NEXT to the Iegi>lat've po^er. we shall pro- ceed to consider th civsl jurisdr tion in the plan ~ ,.,,,. . , On the civil tations, which b} their ov n ans is branched out into so ma-iy different forms, almost in each co Icny, thi.t it is scarcely pracricable to reduce them under such heads, in any one di*oou;se, as to make it intelligible to those who are altogether unacquainted with American affairs. " IT is generally acknowlegd in the plantations that the subject is entitled by birth ri^hr u .'o f he benefit of the common law of England; but U S4i HISTORY OF CTTAP. as fhe common law has been altered from time t& timt, and restricted by statutes, it is still a ques- tion in many of the American courts of judica-' ture, whether any of the English statutes, which do not particularly mention the plantations, can? be of foice there until they be brought over, by some act of assembly in that colony whe.it they are pleaded ; and this creates such con fusion, that according to the art or influence of the lawyers and attoVmcs before the judges, who by their education are but indifferently qualified for that service, they sometimes allow the iorce of the particular statutes, and at other times reject the Whole, cpeciaily if the bench is inclinable to be partial, which too frequently happens in these new and unset ltd countries; and as men's liber, ties and proper? its in any a- in try depend chiefly en an impartial and equal administration, of jus- tice, this is one of the most material grievances which the subjects of America have just cause to complain of; but while for the want of schools and otrur proper in struct ioi> in the principles of moral virtue, their people are not so uell quali- fied even to serve on juries, and much less toa/:t on a bench of judicature, it seems impracticable to provide a remedy until a sufficient revenue be found out amongst them, lo support the charge of sending judges from England, to take their circuits by turns in the several colonies on the main, which if it is thought worthy of consideration, will ap- pe^r neither to be improper nor impracticable, and unril that can be done, all other attempts to rectify their courts of law will be fruitless and in ay be suspended. " COURTS of chancery which are known to be accessary in. many cases to correct the severity of the common kw^ jeem to subsist there on a most VIRGINIA; precarious footing; for it does not appear that CHAP. tntre is a proper and legal authority to hold such _ a court in any of 'he colonies; nevertheless, by " custom every where some kind of chancery -is to be found in one form or other; so that when a rich man designs to coutest am thir.gdn dispu'.e with nis poor neighbour, if he can contrive ta bring into cha icery he is sure the matter will rarely or never be brought to issue; which on many occasions proves an iirolerable oppression ; \vherefore, it is hoped that so high a jurisdiction, issuing immediately from the crown, will in due time be put on a more regular and certain esta- blishment. tk A -MILITIA in an arbitrary and tyrannical On the mi- governuient may possibly be of some service to the governing power, but we learn from experi- ence that in a free country it is of little use : The people in the plantations are so lew in proportion to the lands they possess, that servants bting scarce and slaves excessively dear, the men a e generally under a necessity there to \vork hard the .n selves in order to provide the common necessaries of life for their families; so that they cannot spare a day's time without great lovs to their interest; wherefore, a militia th-re would become more burthensome to the pooi people than it can be in any part of Europe; ton , be- sides, it may be questioned how far it would consist with good p b y to accustom all the u le men in the colonies to be AV 11 exercised in arms, it seems at present to be more advisable to ktep up a small, regular standing force in ea -h pro- vince, which might be readily augmented for a time, if occasion did require, and thus, in case f war or rebellion, the whole of the rr f TM.;r droops might JDe without luoo of time uuucd or 56 HISTORY OF CHAP. d'srrihuted at pleasure, ai.d if, as ha? been said beioic, a suitable revenue abroad can be raised lor the defence and support of the plantations, it would be- no diffi< ult matter both to form and ex.- icine a proper scheme of this nature. r productive of envies, jealousies and cares how to -in upon each other's conduct in government or trade, every onetherebx endeavouring to mag iify their pretensions to the favour ot ihe cn> vn, >y becoming mo. e useful than their neighbours to the interest oi Great Britain. But to render the colonies still more considerable to. Britain, aid nrflpma - the management of their affairs much moie eas\ "j 1 ^ n cnt to die king and his ministers at home, it would , or SVf]rVrs be convenient to appoint particular officers in in England. England, oisly ior dispatch of business belong- ing to tte plantations, for often persons tiiat co;ii^ irom America on purpose either to complain or to support their own just- rights, are at a kns how or whereto apply ; this uncertainty does not only fa- tigue the ministers, but frequenth terminates in destruction of the part}, by his being reie iiom office to office, until! both his mov patience be wore out; such things in time may L AJ[ people's afiections, and give them too meai an opinion of the justice of their mother country, uinch ought caiefully to be prevented, fjr where tuere is liberty the inhabitants will certainly < >;- pcct right, and still have an eye towards ouia.. ii one way or other. "IT ma} be considered , therefore, how fur it LK bcrviucoUiC lo put ua tac ci'uvvii'a oiv J. 158 HISTORY OF CHAP. . etfircr*; fa the plantations, of what kind soever, ..L' under the direction of the board of trade, trr-m, " whom they might receive their several depura- tions or appointments, and to whom they ouprht to be accountable both for their receipts and ma- nagement, and if a particular secretary was ap- pointed for the plantation affairs only, or ii the first lord commissioner of that board was permit- ted to have daily access to the king, in order to receive his rrajesty's coirmai ds in all bv.vi- nesses relating to the plantations, the subject's application would be reduced into so narrow a compass, and the board of trade would always be so perfectly acquainted with the king's plea- sure, that great dispatch might be given, even to those distant matters, without taking up too much of the ministry's time, and interfering with other (perhaps) more important business ; the people of the colonies would be pleastfl to find themselves thus equally regarded without tiving one any undue preference to another, and all the rents, revenues, and other profits in any manner arising from the plantations would then centre in one place, where another proper mem- Ixr of the same board might be appointed trea- surer of that particular revenue, to answer all such orders as should be issued from time to time, for the plantation service, and as the re- venue from America would in all probability be increased daily, it may reasonably be expected that the expense of paying the board of trade, and other officers wholly employed in the planta- tion affairs, which is now borne by the civil list, \\ould then more proper!) arise and be discharged out of the American fund, the overplus remain- ing would in time become a most useful stock lor .purchasing oi the proprietary lands, erecting VIRGINIA. I5 forts, and extending the present settlement^ as CH\p. far as the great lakes, or might he applied to such .. n other uses as his majesty should think proper for that service. " ALL that has been said in respect of the im- provement of the plantations rt of the British dominions, the advancement of trade, and universally supporting the glorious cause of liberty, sterns to be reserved by the pe* euliar hand of providence." 160 HISTORY OF TJr MUTELY connected with this project is the proclamation* of governor Dimiiddie, reciting a resolution of the parliament of England, re- specting some proceedings oi the assembly of the of Jamaica. Nothing tends more forcibly * Virginia^ ss. FY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ROBERT DINWIDDIE, Licuttnant-gwernor, and commander in chief of the $ai& colony and dominion. "WHEREAS T have received from the right honourable tlit; lords commissioners for trade and plantations, a copy of the 1 resolution of the house of commons of the 23d of >. y 1757, upon certain resolutions of the assembly of the island oi JuiMtioa, on the 29th of October, 1753, to the emi that his majesty's subjects in this colony maybe fully appiized of tht sense of that house upon such extraordinary clam s; I have, therefore, thought fit by and with the ad- vice of his rrpjtsty's council, to cause the same to be pub- lished in the Gazette, a true copy v hereof is as follows, viz. The order of the day being; read for receiving the report ft m ihe coairriUee of the whole house, to whom it was re- ferred to consider further of the several pnpers which were presented to the hf.u?e upon the 18th and 24th days of Fe- bmary, and the 1 7th day of March, in the last session of p rliamcnt, i dating to the then governor, council, and assem- bly 'i Jamaica, and of the other papers referred to the said committee. Mr. Thomas Gore accordingly reported fro ! n the said committee, the resolutions which the committee had div* f-rtd him to report to the house, which he read in his 1 ! .< f, and afterwards delivered in at the table, where the saif 1 were again read and are as followeth, viz. Evolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, that the resolution of the assembly of the island of Jamaica, contained in the minutes of the said assembly of the 29th. * HISTORY OF CHAP* thing like a strong assertion of rights in the colo> . niiils. Dinwiddie, vvho arrived in Virginia in 1752, was speciall} charged to lay the Jamaica resolutions, accompanied by those of the British parliament, before the assembly, for the purpose of deterring them from any similar pretensions, which would only have a tendency to excite the resentment of the national legislature. 1 HAVE at length brought to a close an * for the re- ceiving and issuing ot public nv ney as the said assen bly shall think proper, is illegal, repugnant to the terms of his majesty's commissions to his governor of the said inland, and derogatory to the rights of thecroxvnof Great Britain. The last resolution of the committee being lead a second time, was agreed to by the fcousc, CHAPTER III. Daivn of Amet ican genius. Confederacy of the American colonies against France. Examina- tion of the causes which led to this event. Past disproportion between English and Fnnch power in America. Reasons of the temporary ascend- ance of France Ohio company. Encroach- ment on their territory. Governor Dimviddie rtsofoes to remonstrate Selects George Wash- ington to bear his message to the French com- mandant on the Ohio. The dangers and difficul- ties of this mission. He delivers the message, and receives a polite denial. The assembly make provision for expelling the Intruders. A regi- ment is raised. -~ Governor of Canada issues or- ders 10 act offensively. Logs town sw prized. Jl^ons. Contreceur issues from the port of Ve- nango with jQO canoes Surprizts the Ameri- can Jort at the confluence of the Ohio and fifo- nongahela -Affair at Little Meadows Death, oj Jumonville. Capture oj the French detach- ment Junction effected between the different detachments at Great Meadows Information is received that a large body of French is ap- proaching Distress and danger of the Virgi- nians. Retutn to Fort Necessity Are attacked by the French and Indians, -who are repuL ed > They sut render on favour able terms Ate haras- sed by the Indians after capitulation Reach - -hmchester in safety. Stobo and Fan Braam 164 CHAP. the hostages T/;eir extraordinary adventures. La Force. Liberal conduct of assembly to the Virginia troops. Governor D'nnmddie is- sues orders that they should agnin cross ihe Al- legheny. Washington remonstrates in vain against this order. Assembly rcjuse to appro- priate funds /or the completion of the regiment and independent companies. Governors disap- pointment and mortification. Virginia regiment reduced to independent companies. Regulations respecting rank introduce d by ttrnish govci rum nt. Washington resigns. General Braddock arrives ivit/i a bod* oj regular troops An ends the council of war at Annapolis. Assembly. Libe- rality of Assembly. Satisfaction oj Governor. The army moves from Alexandria. Washing- ton* by invitation of 1'raddock, acts as volunteer aid. His opim>?i submitted to a council oj Wuv, and adopted T/;e general pushes on 'with the tj.ain body (-ol Dunhar le'/t behind to proceed sloivly with the baggage Army crosses the Mo- nangahtla in order of batd Is attacked ivit am six miles r/ Fort Duquesne by a body of French end Indians Is routed with great slaughter 1 anic of the regular troops. Dtath o/ Brad- dock Coolness and bravery of Washington and the provincials They co^er the tet^ut of the army. T/.eir extreme sufferings in their ret eat. Washington is sent bcjoie to iht camp of Dun- bar. TJr glory; a taste for America* elegance and refinement LS introduced with wealth and commerce : Grown every day better ac- quainted with tae rich and varied ^rodactious of 168 HISTORY OF CHAP. the British classics, their minds are smitten with the delicate and exalted passions which they so fcbly pourtray. r l HIS sera may not inaptly be called the cradle of American literature. Here \\ ere nursed those hard} aisd luminous spiiits, who in arts and arms vert alter wauls to rival the worthies of antiquity. !Names ul.ich tall up images of honour and virtue, of extensive bei^e volt .-net and consummate wisdom were at this time imbibing the sublime precepts and storing up the bright examples of the anci- ent sages. In this sera were slowly formed the eltnents of revolution ; and then first was pro- jected the model of that federal confederacy, which afterwards wrought into a more perfect form was attci dcel with so many eventful and beneficial consequences. BRITAIN saw for a longtime, in this confede- racy, only the means of advancing her own glory and the extension of her empire. She little thought that an union, apparently calculated only to him ble the power of her enemies and exalt l,er own, would one day effect an impairment of 1 er strength and a dismemberment of her terri- tory. IT may not be amiss to examine the causes \vhich ltd to this union. The inquiry w^ill lead us I eyor.d the limits we have prescribed to our- fcclveV; but it uill give us a more clear and corn- pit he nsive view of the comparative relations of the British colonies ; ar.d by shewing it once the \vhole ground, enable us to correct the defects of a more partial and limited prospect. BY an inspection of the map will be seen the vast Disproportion between the 1 nnch and En- glish colonies in North America. The one inha- Li.nig the margin of the ocean and the mouths and banks of ail the rivers as high as their VIRGINIA; \ sources, which discharged themselves into it, CHAP. cpjoytd under a genial sky and an extensive and _ adventurous commerce, ail the blessings which wealth and independence could bestow. The cities were crowded; their fit ids teemed with fer- tility ; and their rapid growth portended at no distant day the total extinguishment of French or Spanish power on the American continent. THE position of the French on the o her hand was in the highest degree unfavourable. Shut out from the ocean, except by the streams of the St. Laurence and the Mississippi, and a few cheerless settlements on the shorts of Acadie, the} seemed in these cold and unsociable regions kss to live than to prolong an existence. But notwithstanding this striking disparity in their stiength, there were some circumstances which seemed to bring the parties more on a level, and which sometimes gave ir ranee a temporary ascendancy over her rival. Although the rovfd charters extended the western frontier of Virgi- nia from sea to sea, the French living at the extremities of her bounds and on the back of her central settlements, resolved to connect those distant points b\ a chain of forts extend- ing from the St. Laurence to the Mississippi. They would thus be able to hold the British colonies as it ? ere in a state of seige They would monopolize the v\ hole Indian trade, and what was of infinitely more consequence, they would have all the numerous bands of war- like Indians which inhabit those vast regions, de- cidedly uncle?, their influence, and could direct their destructive inroads along the vast and unde- fended frontier. THIS plan was not at first openly avowed. It gradually disclosed itseii in me movements of X 170 HISTORY OF the French at Canada, and it was not finally etc* tlaicd until the Indian traders under the Ohio company were seized, and the farther settlement of the disputed territory was interdicted under similar penalties. ANOTHER circumstance had a still stronger ef- fect in equalizing the strength oi the parties. The governors of Canada were generally soldiers of refutation, and had the absolute care and super- iiiU ndance oi Indian affairs ; whereas, the En- glish governois were generally appointed by court favour ; and the province of Indian affairs was kit in the hands of the traders, who had no care of the public good and were actuated only by the most sordid motives and considerations. With the exception of the Five Nations and their tribu- taries, the French had the art. too of conciliating in a l.ign degree the affections of the Indians; there \vas a greater unity and decision in their means : \\ hen .as among the English the best projects \vere often rendered abortive by the cautious jea- lousy and tardy deliberations of their assemblies. So that though the actual force of 1 ranee was in- ciisputably inferior, it was less diffused, more compact and disposable. It could be brought to a given point with more celerity, advantages that often counterpoised the otherwise amazing disparity. IN oidcr to a better illustration of the succeed- ing events, it will be necessary to say something of the Ohio company established and composed of merchants belonging to Virginia and Mary- land, and st-veral rich commoners, and lords in the mother country. This extensive association^ \\hose views were at once territorial and com- iiitrcial,- anxious immediately to occupy the fer. tile country included within their vast grant, dis- jpatchcU biuve^oifc to form a map of the country. VIRGINIA. 171 even to the falls of the Ohio. This project af- CHAP. forded the justest uneasiness and offence to the _-_ natives, who saw that even the wilderness, whi- ther they had retired, did not save them from the rapacity of their invaders. No attempt had been previously made to conciliate them by kindness and presents. Their rights to the lands might have been purchased for a small sum prudently expended in nails, paints, blankets and hatchets. But the avarice and rapacity of speculator? had overlooked or disdained this compromise, un- mindful of the melancholy train of misfortunes to which their conduct would give birth. THE French were not slow in representing this procedure in a stile best calculated to infiamc the passions of this people : Not omitting at the same time to contrast their own just and concili- ating policy with this rude and insolent encroach- ment. BUT independent of the impolicy of alienating a powerful body of Indians, hitherto pacific and favourably disposed to the British, the monopoly of Indian trade exclusively vested in this compa- ny, afforded just grounds of uneasiness to the merchants in general, and their private repre- sentation had a tendency to strengthen the sus- picions and jealousies inspired by the representa- tions of France. EMBOLDENED by these circumstances, the French ventured to extend their encroachments even to the Ohio, and erected a fort at An Beuf, a river which empties irseif into it. Mr. Humsi- ton, at that time governor of Pennsylvania, laid these proceedings before the assembly of that province, and recommended the erection of trad- ing houses, strong enough to serve at the same time as forts for the protection of British traders : But owing to the jealousies existing in the ter 172 HISTORY OF gislature, this plan was only slowly and partially executed, THIS vast project having been now fully and Robert explicitly avowed, the lieutenant governor re- monstrated against, this daring infraction of the> governor. royal grant ; and the national pride was fortunately stimulated by the fears of the frontier settlers, and the importunities of the Ohio adventurers. It was seen that the project of France, if persisted in and allowed time to mature itself, threatened not only the security, but the very exigence of Virginia ; and it was resolved that no time should be lost in defining a point, which, if left to the ambiguity oi construction, would be productive of endless dispute and aggression. THE next care of the governor was to find out a man fit to discharge the duties of an envoy. It could not be concealed that it was attended with great, if not insuperable diffi :ulties. Amongst ci- Vi ized nations, the character of an envoy is re- garded with a sort of artificial veneration. Like the ancient heralds, their persons are looked on as sa. red ; and there is every where a solicitude vneitver they pass, to receiv them with all the forms oi good breeding, and to extend to them the courtesies and civilities of hie. But the ground over which our envoy had to pa^s was wild and solitaiy. and had never been trodden bat by the wolf and the savage, unless occasion- ally perhaps by the silent and advcnturouo foot of tat Indian trader. IT required the union of physical and moral powers to contend successful!) with these difli- cuiiie-s, and to the capacity of executing those dutits with judgment, should be added the san- guine and adventurous temper, whose confidence borders on presumption ; whose anticipation of looks Ukc the workings of prophecy* VIRGINIA. ITS Considerations calculated only to furnish matter CHAP. ci apprehension and danger to ordinary men. served hut to infiame the ardour and ambition c,f George Washington, a youth scarcely yet nine- teen ; and on the first intimation from the gover- nor of hi>> intention, he embraced the proposal viththattrank and unaffected uarmth that bespoke an .r idest COHM ioiiMie^s of his own worth. THIS youth, afterwards called upon to fill so distinguished a station on the globe, wa.s the third son of Augustine Washington, and the great grandson of major John Washington, who has been spoken of in the foregoing part of this vork. He was born at Bridge Creek in West- n.oreland county, the very spot on \\hich his great ancestor had first made a settlement. In his earh >ears he is represt-nted to have betrayed a strong predilection for military liie. Kis \ou-h- ful mind woulH collate and kindle at the recital of British and American prouc-ss, and he bur-t 10 engage in the eonstest which Britain manful iy sustained against the united power of the hou^e ol Bourbon. At the age of fifteen, by his press- ing solicitations, the place of midshipman uus obtained for him : But, according to a recent bio- gn pher, the '* interference of a timid arid affec- tionate mother for a time suspended his mihuuy career." HAVING lost his father at the age of ten, his education wanted that elegant and useful know- ledge oi the glorious incidents and examples to be found in the ancient classics and hib o hardy discipline to be acquired by the study oi ihe mathematics. Writing, vulgar arithmetic ai;d practical surveying, composed the total of hib knowledge of books ; and as his paternal uas not equal to his ideas of independence of rub nuiiel, he mode these obedience to the advice ot Mr. Washington, Irsi'd been erected at the confluence of the Ohio and IVionongfaht la. THE preparations not being yet fully com- pleted, Mr. Washington was directed to march v itli two companies in advance to the Great Mea- clows. This movement i^ represented by a re- ct lit biographer to have taken place at the press- ing solicitations of Washington; and the mo- tives for it are stated to have proceeded from a " fk sire to protect the country, to make himself H'ore acquainted wi.h it, as well as with the situ- ations and designs of the enemy, and to preserve the friendship of the savages." On his march he received information b\ s:>me Indians in friendship with Virginia,- that a party of work- men employed b\ the Ohio compam to construct a fort on the south-eastern branch of the Ohio, had been driven oil' by the French, who were themselves actually employed in completing one at the confluence of the Aileghany and Monong.i- hela rivers, on the very spot which he himstll hi his journal had pointed out as an admirable site for this purpose. It was further stated that they s w a detachment lror this place on their way to the Great Meadows, and offered to act as to the French encampment. VIRGINIA. 177 WASHINGTON lost no time in Imnroving this CHAP. information to his advantage, and having marched __ all night, at die approach of day his guides shew- eel him the French just pitching their tents in the bosom of a retired valley at a small distance from the path, and a few miles to the west ol the Great Meadows. His dispositions were immediately made. Cap- tain Waggoner was ordered to iake a circuit a id make his appearance on an opposite hill, which overlooked the t rench. As soon as the party jf Waggoner made their appearance on the hill, the French hastily ran to their arms : But hearing the shouts of Washington's detachment in their rear, they faced about to defend themselves against a danger more pressing and immediate. Both parties tired so nearly at the same time that it Capture o? sounded like a single discharge : Not another gun fl was fired. Only one man escaped : Twenty one were made prisoners, and the only person killed was Jumonville, the leader of the detachment.* IN this action, inconsiderable as it was, we see the dawn of that genius which afterwards di * According to Wynne, De Villit- r, who commanded afe the fort at Monongahela, seni a formal requisition to Mr. Washington to abandon his p<.st, which he called an en* croachmer.t on the French territory, by the hands of one of his subalterns, called Jumonville, attended by a small party. But he delivering no opinion of his own upon the subject, and immediately afitr he says, " According to the French accounts, Jumonvillt and his party were either killed or taken prisoners by Washington, in a manner contrary to all the rules of war established among civilized nations.** I is certainly improbable that so large a party should have been sent for pacific purposes, and that they should have encamped at a distance fro n tue path, which in the wilder/ ness is considered as an infallible index to hostility. Y 178 HISTORY OF CHAP, rf cted the expeditions to Trenton and Princeton*, It had, however, nearly proved destructive of the fkte oi" the conqueror. A report had gone abroad, originating probably with the prisoners, that Monsieur Jumonville, whilst preparing for a parley and actually engaged in reading a paper, was run through the body by col. Washington, This story, so well calculated to taint the fame and the ieelings of a soldier, was circulated by the industrious policy of France. It became the subject of seveial angry remonstrances: it soon niiide its way into Europe, and all the journals rang with the melancholy story of Jumonville, and with execrations against his inhuman mur* Xkrer. TRUTH and good sense at length slowly over- took the slander: But the refutation of a calum- ny is infinitely more difficult than its propagation^ tnd there were many who still wished to believe it in opposition to the most disinterested and con- clusive testimony. The account of this event, given b} Mr. \\ ashington himself some time after in answer to the inquiries of one of his intimate friends, is marked with frankness and sincerity, lie knew nothing (he said) of such a man as Ju- Inonviile: He could not tell which party fired first ; that it was possible he might have killed him with a musket : But for a complete refuta- tion of the slander, he invariably referred to his officers and soldiers, who were then alive, and who bore testimony to its falsehood and atrocity. SHORTLY after this event a junction was elFect- at ed \\ ith the main body at the Great Meadows, the Great and inmieel lately after, being reinforced with two independent companies of regulars, the detach- ment moved on towards Fort Duquesne under Washington, on whcm, by the death of colonel JYy, devolved the command of the expedition*- VIRGINIA. 17$ But previously, a small stockade was erected at CHAP. the Great Meadows, for the security of their . IT - horses and provisions. At the westernmost foot of the Laurel Hill, cm^y fourteen miles distant Inr rma- fiorn their stockade, they were met by a party of Indians, who in their figurative language informed a | arge them that the enemy \vere approaching, as nnme 8 Life . VIRGINIA; m their youthful leader. He had early taken post CH\P. on the outside of the fort, ani in the midst of danger he exJurted his companions by his counte- nance and example. THE French fought under cover of the trees and long grass, and as it was nat thought pru- dent to attempt taking it by storm, the battle was protracted from ten in the morning until night. No impression was yet made up jn the works. The French were ignorant of the force of the g irrison, but from the obstinacy of the defence UK re was every reason to apprehend that the con- quest if indeed attainable, would be attended with great drifio.iilties and loss. Famine, it was true, was an auxiliary certain and fatal : But the gairison might be relieved by the militia, and in tiiat event they w mid be placed between two fires, and their own retrtat perhaps cut off to 3r ort Duquesne. These consideiations induced De Villier to propose terms, and a flag of truce was dispatched to Air. Washington for this pur- pose. But the proposed capitulation contained conditions too humiliating to be brooked by tne aspiring spirit of the youthful leader, and they were sent back with the sole or i declaration, t ; itt no necessit) or danger should tver i idace so ) isc a surrender of iiis own honour and that of ,113 brave companions. AN answer so full of spirit and dcterminatioi was attended with the proper effect on the -ni \ 1 of M. De Viiiier. He found ni nself co up-lied to recede fro n nis haug'ity dejimd of unoili- tional submission, and in the c >arse of the ni.* it it was stipulated that the garrison should m tr-m out with the honours of war ; should be permit- ted to retain their arms aad baggage, and to 182 HISTORY OF CHAP, march without molestation into the inhabited ._ _. .1 . parts of Virginia.* SOME stipulations were inserted in favour of" the French, which are not mentioned by any his- torian, but which from their intimate connection with several important transactions are well enti- tkd to notice. IT appears that a Frenchman of the mme of La Force hid considerable influence among the various tribes of Indians at the back of our settle- ments, and that af.er the seizure of Fort Du- quesne, he had been appointed to use his best address to procure exact information of the state of the v irginia frontier, and to embroil the sa- vage neighbours. Young Washington having re- ceived information that this emissary was travel- ling in disguise through the country, had him ar- jested, and in his possession were found papers confirming the suspicions against him, and dis- closing a part of the plans and policy of France. A man possessed of such formidable powers it v as deemed impolitic to treat according to the common usages of war, and the resentment of governor Dinwiddie according with his ideas of prudence, La Force was by his orders brought to Williamsburg and thrown into prison. THE opportunity to redeem this man, *>o me- ritorious for his activity and sufferings, immedi- * According to Wynne, the terms were, that both par- ties should retire : The provincial* to Will's Creek, within the acknowledged confines of Virginia; and the French to thtir former situaiion at Monongahcla. Vol. %.fi 26. And again, he says, " Washington embraced the propo- sal and deliverer] two officers as 'nosta^t-s lor the restitution avc said, that we absolutely refused their first and second proposals, and would consent to capitulate on no other terms ihan such as we obtained. That we were wilfully or igno- rantly deceived by our interpreter, in regard to the word a*- sassination, I do aver, and will to my dying moment; so will every officer that was present. The interpreter was a Dutch- man, little acquainted with the English tongue, therefore might not advert to the tone and meaning of the word ir English ; but, whatever his motives were for so doing, cer tain it is, he called it the death* or the loss, of the sieur Ju monviile. So we received, and so we understood u. until *c our great surprize and mortification, we found i otherwise in a literal translation. That we left our baggage and horse! at the Meadows is certain ; that there was not even a possi bility to bring them away is equally certain, as we had eveq VIRGINIA; Conjecture having with some probability esti- mated their killed and wounded at two hundred. If the nature of the action be considered, this horse belonging to the camp killed) or taken away dip ing the action ; so that it was impracticable to bring any thing off that our shoulders were not able to bear; and to wai6 there, was impossible, for we had scarce three days provi- sions, and were seventy miks fiom a supply, yet, to say we ame off precipitately is absolutely fals* , notwiths'anding they did contrary to articles, suffer their Indians to pillage our baggage, and commit all kinds of irregularity ; *e were \vith them until ten o'clock the next day ; we destroyed our powder and other stores, nay, ven our private baggage to prevent i'.s foiling into their hands, as we could hot ' ring it off. When we had got about a mile from the place of action* we missed two or three of the trounced, and sent a pa fly- back to bring them up ; this is the party he speaks of We brought them all safe off, and encamped within three mil 9 of the Meadows. These are circumstances, I think, thub make it evidently clear, that we were not very apprt-hensivo of danger. The colours he speaks of to be left, was a large flag of immense size and weight ; our regimental co- lours were brought off and are now in my possession. Their gasconades, and boasted clemency, must appear in the most ludicrous light to every considerate person who reads Vii- lier's journal ; such preparations for an attack, such vigour and intrepidity as he pre ends to hare conducted his march nith, such revenge, as by his ewn account appeared in his attack, considered, it will hardly be thought that compas- sion was his motive for calling a parley. But to sum up the whole, Mr. Villier pays himself no great compliment in saying, we \vere struck with a pamck when matters were adjusted. We surely could not be afraid without cause, and if we had cause after capitulation, it was a reflection upoa himself. I do not doubt but your good nature will excuse the bad- ness of my paper, and the incoherence of my writing; think you see me in a public house in a crowd, surrounded with, noise, and you hit my case. You do me particular honour in offering your friendship : I wish I may bs so happy as always to merit it, and deserve your cof respondence, wnich I should be glad to cultivate. Wa9kington?9 Life* z 186 HISTORY OF \ CHAP, disproportion will not be thought surprizing . * 11 * The Indians and Canadians must h ive been more exposed, and thtir great superiorly of numbers would have only aggravated this evil, while the Anglicans were covered during the whole of the action. IN these first specimens, we bei:old the dawn- ii.gs oi future greatness. Nor are tue symptoms kbs pronging at the failure at the v'jreat Mea- dows than b} the victory at the LitlVe. In the first the foiesight, decision and impetuosity o the young man, during his first essay, are visi- ble : In the second those qualities are un ited with steadiness and coolness. The names of Bullet, of Mtrcer, and of several others afterwards con- spicuous lor their courage and patriotism, are to be lound in the muster rolls of that day ; nor can it ever be uninteresting to see from what humble beginnings the glories of the country have pro- ceeded. WASHINGTON had scarcely commenced hisv inarch towards the inhabited parts of Virginia, \\i.en in defiance of the terms of capitulation, he found himself interrupted by the Indians, who hovered round them, occasionally appearing on thtir wings, or hanging on their rear, i lenept- ing their stragglers. Their persons and effects weie not secure for a momen'. What they d d not steal by night, they would openly lay their ki,.i.is forcibly on by city, and every moment in- drgnity ihe most mortji\ ing was addtd to robbe- r\ ai.d outrage the most w*mtr>n, by the unre- siraintd licen e of regular and brutal btrbar ty. Ni^ht brought on no r pose ; for no eye could close amidst the terrors of the war whoop and ti-i- sc 1 i)ig knife* At Icn&t i, spent vvi f h faiigue a d \va eei by tiui^ger aud vvattliin^s, they reach- Cu vviii Chester. VIRGINIA; 187 THE house of burgesses, with a liberality that CHAP, reflects honour on th< ir understanding, approved the conduct of the officers and soldiers eng iged in this expedition in a vote of fchunks, and gave three hundred pistoles as a re ard of their bra- very, and a temporary relief to their immediate necessities. MEANWHILE governor Dimviddie, without attending to the condition of the Virginia regi- ment or the circumstances of the country, issued ciders that it should again pass the Allcgany. The companies expected from Carolina and Ma- ryland had arrived, but the regiment was not complete ; nor was it yet sufficiently recovered from the hardships of the lute expedition. The troops were in want of articles of comfort and even of the first necessity, and their minds had not yet forgotten their late terrors and humilia- tion. It required time, added to the utmost ad- dress of a beloved commander, to restore their former confidence and inspire tljem again with ITiilitary ardour. IN spite of these obvious considerations, they were ordered immediately to seek an enemy more than double their numbeis and flushed with their late victory ; to dispossess the French of >ort Duquesne or construct one in some eligible site for observing the movements of the enemy, and affording protection to the trembling inhabitants of that frontier. Against these orders, so marked by precipitation and iblly, colonel Washington protested in the strongest terms. But die go- vernor was, not of a temper to give up any opinion he had once formed, and he reluc'.andy prepared to carry into execution the orders under the di- rection of colonel Jones of North Coroiiaa, on devolved the ducks of comuiaiicier in ciiicf. HISTORY OF BUT the funds necessary for these objects were yet to be found. For although a governor of Virginia might issue his commands for the levy and march of troops, he had no means of paying a single company, unless by the constitutional mode of legislative supply. He entertained, however, little doubt that the widom of the house of burgesses would provide for an object so in- teresting as the security of the frontier and the national honour. In these expectations he was confirmed by the address of that body in reply to his communication at the opening of the ses- sion ; an address at once bespeaking ardour and capacity. In this, for the first time, they take no- tice of the trench project of stretching their frontier across the British settlements from the " St. Laurence to the Mississippi, and to secure the same by forts built at the most convenient places " They take notice of the invasion of the colony, and the forcible possession of the lands of the Ohio company, contrary to the faith of treaties, and declare that those measures are calculated to rouse their indignation, as th^y are to demand the most serious and strict attention. They cannot doubt, they add, that the British colonies will exert themselves in a mutual assist- ance and unite with them in the common cause. But whatever they do, say they, we are deter- n.ined on our part to withstand the impending danger, and to pursue every measure in our pow- er to deft at these pernicious attempts of our ene- mies, that we may convince the world we have nothing more at heart than a zealous discharge of duty to the best of kings, and the sincerest regard to the safety and true interests of the co- lony. BUT notwithstanding these warm professions, the assembly refused to advance a shilling to tli VIRGINIA; tfomp T etion of the regiment, a-d even to the sup- port of the independent companies in the pay of the king, which were sent expressly to the as- sistance of the colony, and the project of Din- ttkMie was necessarily abandoned. NOTHING will better describe the governor's Sept. sth, disappointment and regret at this unaccountable obstinacy than his speech in proroguing the ses- sion. Gentlemen of the Council \ Mr. Speaker and gentle- men of the house of burgesses, THE impending danger from the violent incur- sions of the French, their threats and depreda- tions, were the only motives for calling you toge- ther at this time ; and the lives, liberties and properties of your constituents, are in such im- minent hazard, I did not in the least doubt but that before this to have strengthened my hands with a proper supply to frustrate their malicious intentions, and especially when I received from you such strong and repeated assurances, that you " were determined on your parts to with- stand the impending danger, and to pursue every measure in your power to defeat these pernicious designs of your enemies." 1 thought I might reasonably admit the pleasing hopes that " you would effectually provide for your country's pre- servation, and convince the world that you had nothing more at heart than a zealous discharge of your duty to the best of kings, and the sincerest regard for your country's welfare. " How great then, gentlemen, must be my sur- prize, and with what amazement must that country and the world see such high expectations cast down so low ; see you called upon in the day of your ouatry'i> distress, declaring your knowledge of 190 HISTORY OF her danger, and declaring the greatest zeal for her service, yet find these declarations only a flourish of words; and that inconsistent with them, and our purpose for meeting you, with- hold } our aid, and thereby leave the enemy at full liberty to perpetrate their destructive and unjust designs. THE independent companies ordered by his majesty, clothed and paid by him, and now em- ployed in your immediate defence, you absolute- ly, by your resolve to me, deny subsistence to: A thing unprecedented in any' of his majesty's dominions where they have been employed in their defence from incursion or threatened inva- sions. I have my master's service and the safety and honour of Virginia so much and so truly at heart that 1 cannot but be deeply affected with a conduct so contrary to her interests, and not alto- gether unconcerned for you, gentlemen of the house of burgesses, that you should appear in so bad a light to his majesty, and give such ill im- pressions to the neigbouring colonies. However, as I find you are determined not to do what your duty to his majesty and the present obvious danger indispensably require, 1 think it proper to avoid augmenting unnecessary expenses, particularly incomenient at this time, and, there- fore, to put an end to your continuance here, I do berth} prorogue you to the seventeenth day of October next, and you are accordingly prorogued to that time. IT is difficult to account* for this sudden re- volution in the opinions of the assembly. Per- * Wynne, who was a man of penetration, and appears to have drawn his information of the events he relates Irom the mofct authentic bouiccs, gives this incident with scvcrg} VIRGINIA. 191 haps they were of opinion that the means of the CHAP. colony should not be wasted in the chemerical project of fighting for deserts and wilderness so remote from their inhabited frontier, and which seemed to be the comnon property of nature ; they thought too, perhaps, that the expenses of equipment should be defrayed by the Ohio adventurers, or what is more probable that the expedition of the > rench, as it was a com June, vance of this place, and had made only six miles; 1755 and the difficulties of the way were increasing at every step. Trees were to be felled ; the matted underwood to be cut away ; rude bridges to be thrown over creeks and torrents, to admit the passage of waggons and artillery. It became ob- vious that by an adherence to this plan the season would be lost for any effectual service, and the enemy would have time to receive reinforce- ments, which would render the success of the expedition very doubtful, if not entirely despe- rate. These observations were constaivly en- forced by the anxious solicitations of colonel Washington, from his bed where he was con- fined by a burning fever, brought on by fatigue of body and mind, THIS gentleman, in whose knowledge the ge- Washintr- neral is said to have reposed considerable confi l n ' s dence, urged the propriety of leaving the wag- * Whilst the army was encamped at Fort Cumberland, a large body of Lidians of different nations arrived} and vrtre kindly received by geneiul Braddock. Tuey were drawn up before the army in single files, and addressj.fi f- ter the Indian fashion, in a speech full of metaphor and alie- gory. The Indians replied, and mutual friendship was and confirmed by several belts of wampum. iicn bub- 198 HISTORY OF CHAP. _in_._ milted to a council of war and adopted. The gene- ral pushes on with the main body.. gons, heavy artillery and baggage behind with the rear guard, to follow 'by easy marches, and to press forward in person with the flower of the troops, some light artillery and stores.* THE reasons urged by him in support of this advice were, that according to all their in- telligence the French were at present weak on the Ohio, but hourly expected re in for cements; th-.it during the present excessive drought these re-inforcements could not arrive with the neces- sary quantity of provisions and other supplies, because the river La Bceaf, on which they must necessarily be brought to Venaago, did not then afford water enough to admit of their portage down it. By a rapid movement, therefore, it was extremely probable th-.it the fort might be reached with a sufficient force to carry it before the arrival of the expected aid ; but that if this measure was not adopted, such were the delays attendant on the march of the whole army, that '* rains sufficient to raise the waters might reasona- bly be counted on, and the whole force of the French would probably be collected for their re- ception ; a circumstance which might render the success of the expedition extremely doubtful. "f THIS opinion was submitted to a council of war held at the Little Meadows ; and it was de- termined that the general should advance at the head of a select corps to consist of fourteen hun- dred men, unincumbered with waggons save what was necessary for the transportation of the artillery. The baggage and provisions for this force were to be transported on pack horses. The * Lift of Washington. j Ibid. VIRGINIA. 199 remaining part of the army was to remain behind CHAP. v. ith all the heavy baggage, under the command __JIL of colonel Dunb-.tr. COLONIAL LVNES had been previously left for the defence of Fort Cumberland, and it was de- termined to construct works at the Little and Great Meadows to afford a refuge in the event of any adverse fortune to the retreating army. YET, notwithstanding the unincumbered state of the army, they took up four days in marching only nineteen miles from their late position at the Little Meadows to the great crossings of the Yo- hcgany.* This delay arose from the absurd ap- plication of European tactics. The march oPfco- iumns, the passage of defiles, and the complex machinery of cavalry, of cannon and baggage, may do for the extensive and open plain in Eu- rope; but in the dark and continued forests of America, this system is in the last degree mis- chievous and pedantic. Here every thing is to be done by surprize. You must adopt the Indian method of fight. The single file; the eye and the ear continually on the watch ; the body like the leaves ; the cover of the oak ; the silent step ; the swiftness of the deer. These are the pioper- ties that laugh to scorn the cumbrous tactics of Europe. Mr. Washington beheld with regret this pernicious system adhered to, and laments it in a letter to hU brother. " 1 found, " said he, 4i that instead of pushing on with vigour, with- out regarding a little rough road, they were halting to level every mole- hill, and to erect bridges over every brook, "f * Life of Washington Ibidem. 200 HISTORY OF IT took up nearly one month to complete the remaii der oi the journey, a distance of not more than eighty miles : On the ninth oi July the ar- my came in sight of the Monongahela, on the opposite side oi which, and at six miles distance, was seated Fort Duquesne. IT is difficult to account for the blind presump- tion and security of general Braddock on this oc- casion. Accounts well authenticated stated that a considerable reinforcement from Canada had been seen navigating Lake Ontario in batteaux, and were directing their course to the Ohio. The arrival of this force at Fort Duquesne was after- w ards confirmed by some friendly Indians, toge- ther with the intelligence that most of the tribes inhabiting the Ohio, Mississippi and their branch- es, had been allured into a co-operation with the French. Possibly he mistook the silence and so- litude of the country through which he passed, as the effects of the fear his name and presence had inspired ; and the little interruption in his march from the Indians as an evidence that all idea of resistance was abandoned and that the fort would be evacuated at his approach.* COLONEL Washington was not at hand to re- move these impressions. The violence of his disease had confined him to the camp at the Lit- * This conduct is thus related by Wynne : " Having by this means lessened his line of march, he carelessly pro- ceeded with great expedition, insomuch that his rear was left near forty miles behind ; and being so incautious as sel- dom to bestow time to scour the woods he was to pass thro* though earnestly entreated by sir Peter Halket to proceed with caution, and to employ the Indians thai were with him in scouting the woods, suffered himself when he had ad- vanced within ten miles of the fort, to be surprized by an eunbuscade of French and Indians. Vol. 2. 41. VIRGINIAN 201 tie Meadows, and he did not join the army until the eighth of July, too late to remedy the mischief, if indeed his influence could at any time have extended so far. He arrived in a covered wag- gon, exhausted by disease and the fatigues of his journey : But the ardour of his spirit and the urgency of the crisis would not permit him to take any repose, and he immediately entered on the duties of his station. IN the morning of the 9th, general Braddock made preparations for passing the Monongahela. ^he arniV A chosen body of three hundred light and un cros* the incumbered men, under the command cf colonel Mononga- Gage, passed as the advanced guard for the pur- hela in or * pose of covering the army and scouring the coun- t , ero d * try. These were quickly followed by a party of two hundred, who were instructed to act as a re- serve to the other detachment. The general himself, with the column of baggage, artillery and the main body of the army, passed the river at one o'clock, and proceeded in order of battle in the route of the other detachment, which moved slow, and halted occabionally for the coming up of the crntre. The general had ad- vanced but a short distance from the bank, when a quick and heavy fire was distinctly heard in the front and left flank, and the main body advanced to support it. But bef >re this could take place parties of three hundred and two hundred suc- cessively fell back on the main body, to which they immediately communicated their panic and confusion, and fr jm which no eibrts or exertions could afterwards relieve them. The firing now extended to every point Nothing could now Fort Du* be more unequal than the circumstances of the two armies. The French drawn up in the form of a crescent at the skirt of a thick forest which 202 HISTORY OF CHAP, appeared to have been studiously cut into this A . ] * ' . iorni, and their position was strengthened by par- ties oi Indians, who concealed in the grass and shrubs, ambuscaded the whole ground on the flanks almost to the edge of the river. The route ofBiadciock la\ directly in the cer.tre of the trench position, and they had it in their \ o\\er to attack him at any moment with the greatest advantage. It was thought prudent, however, to let him ap- proach to a gentle eminence, at about one hun- dred yards of their certre, where a most de- structive fire was pourtd in fj oni behind the felled trees and brushwood, with which the French had masked their whole position at the skirt oi the wood. The volley from the French centre was the signal for the Indians, who, after firing fiom the grass and bushes, spread themselves over the plain. THE same fatal principle of maneuvering that retarded the march, was closel) observed. The British w eie draw n up in tw o lines with the artil- And routed j i n the C entie; and they presented a solid *ith nreat .* , , , r , J * ,-, daughter. l' oint black front to the fire of the enemy. Lvery thing that depended on courage was performed by 'the general, ije was distinguished in front on horse back, endeavouring to dispel the fears of the troops., and crying out to them to advance, his face pictured with the violence of his inter- nal tmoiions. The officers followed his gallant example. But no exhortations ; no example could concjuer the panic of the troops. For three hours the battle had lasted without the least intermis- sion in the slaughter, or in the panic and confu- sion. The British yet kept their ground : But their firmness arose rather from obstinacy than courage. No entreaties of the officers could in- duce them to fire with qny precision or effect. Their ammunition was wasted, and they gathered VIRGINIA. 20* themselves into a body twelve deep, in defiance CHAP. of every effort to order, and in titir coniuMon bhot down their own men. In vi'in die unfortu- nate general attempted to restore order, he had already five horses shot from under him ; and l,oth his aids \\ere killed at his si e. Nearh half t'le duty of forwarding the orders of th< comm in chief, amidst an incessant fire of marksmen of three hours continuance, lie had two horses shot under him and four bullets through his clothes, yet he came off unhiut, and contributed by his coolness and activity to save the shattered renums of the army. After the battle he \vas dispatched to the camp of colonel Dunbar to procure bome comfortable provisions for the troops, at u place he arrived at the following evening ; and in a short time he was joined by the a rim , exhibit- in a picture of wretchedness iuffijient to melt into compassion every beholder. THE absence of Durbar from the battle of Monongaheia was esteemed a fortunate incident. For a-nidst the panic that prev tiled, numbers would have been rather an injury; and but ior the provisions found in his c.mip, no human ex- pedient could have savxci the lives oi Uic :06 HISTORY OF CHAP. AT this place died general Braddock,. a rnnri T j* by his ardour and resolution, his noble contempt of death, his generous thirst of fame, deserving a better fate. His misfortunes and those of the army arose from a fatal mistake, into which he had fallen in common with all the officers of the regulars serving in America; an obstinate perse- verance in the principles of the art of war a> eon. ducted by large armies in, Europe ; a too high opinion of the courage and discipline of British regulars, one somewhat bordering on contempt for the provincial troops. It WAS owing to this blind and fatal p>es imption that the provincial corps was left be! *n ' at tort Cumberland, at the Little and Great Meadows and with Dunbar : And that only three companies of Virginians were retained with the main army, and even these per- haps merely in compliment to Mr. Washington and the colony, which was the immediate theatre of action. BUT a mistake so general, that it becomes a sort of popular belief, ought to affect only in a slight degree the fame of the commander in chief. In Europe his adherence to system, added to his genius and courage, would have probably in- sured success to his efforts. In any event, his magnanimous courage, added to his misfortunes, will raise up for him advocates among the brave ; and the traveller as he walks on the banks of the Monongahela, and contrasts the proud array and majestic spectacle of Braddock 's passage of the river in the morning, with the afflicting vie\v of a shattered army with their dying general rcpas- sing it in the afternoon, will mingle with his re- flections on the capricious tenure of human great- ness, a sentiment of sorrow for the ikte of this gallant spirit. VIRGINIA. 207 MEANWHILE it became necessary to adopt CHAP, some plan of operations better suited to the pre- _ suit condition of the army. The number of the worses was reduced, and those remaining were 10 exhausted that all hope' of bringing off the itores, artillery and baggage> was necessarily ibandoned. An attempt to defend any of the in- jermcdiute positions in the present panic of the irmy, was looked on as equally chimerical, and ;olonel Dunbar, on whom devolved the com- nand, after destro} ing ever) tiling superfluous, o prevent their falling into the hands of the ene- n) , proceeded with the utmost expedition to Fort Cumberland, from whence immediately after, inder pretence of wintering and recruiting, he narched to Philadelphia. To every man of judgment in the army there ppeartd but one mode of alleviating the present nisfonunes and averting consequences still more lisastrous. It was certain that on the departure >f the army, innumerable detachments would iescend the Alleghany with fury, and deluge he frontiers. A strong garrison at Fort Cum- >erland or some other commanding position, phere the rt mains of the army might fortify hemselves, could alone furnish an efficient bar- ier to these irruptions. Instead of this, the sick nd wounded were left at this post with only two om panics of provincial militia, whilst the re- nainder, consisting of sixteen hundred choice nen, were transported to a quarter where they ould be of no immediate advantage. THE conduct of the regular troops had a con- iderable effect in abating the long established no- ion of their great superiority : on Mr. Wash- ngion in particular it excited a strong disgust ; viiiist the prowess of the Virginians affected -him \itii Aiibure and admiration. In his letter to the 208 HISTORY OF governor, after dwelling on the courage of the Virginia troops, he adds, " the dastardly beha- viour of the regular troops (so called) exposed those \\ho were inclined to do their duty to cer- tain depth ; and at length in spite of every effort to the contrary, they broke and ran as sheep be- fore the hounds, leaving the artillery , ammuni- tion, provisions, baggage, and in short every thing a prey to the enemy ; and when w r e endea- voured to rally tht in in hopes of regaining the gu;iind, and what thty had left upon it, it was with as little success as if we had attempted to have stopped the wild bears of the mountains or the runlets with our feet, for they would break in spite of every effort to prevent it." THE immediate consequences of this disastrous battle were the exposure of all the frontier settle- ments to the destructive incursions of the savages. Parties of French Indians had already approached Fort Cumberland, which they surrounded, and even penetrated in several points to the Blue Ridge, n.aiking their track with blood and desolation. Dispatches arrived every hour of atrocities, whose bare recital are shocking to the feelings of human nature, and neither age, innocence nor sex offered any stay to those barbarities. In this desperate crisis the lieutenant governor thought proper immediately to summon an assembly, as the only effectual mode of affording a remedy to the complicated distresses of the country, and this body accordingly convened on Tuesday the 4th of August. THE session, which was short, w r as wholly oc- cupied in providing for the wants and security of the colony, and however cautious they might have formerly been in disbursing the monies of their constituents, it appeared that when the crisis aiot,e VIRGINIA, answering to their ideas of necessity they coii!d be genenrjs if not profuse of the public resources.* A* order was made for raising- a regiment, to consist of sixteen companies, and funds were set a part for this and other services, beyond what had hitherto appeared of colonial bounty. The command of this body was given to colonel Wash- ington with the command in chief, as his coin- mission specified, of all the force* raised and to be raised in Virginia, and with the uncommon privilege of naming his oivn field officers. NOTHING certainly bespeaks more forcibly the opinion thus early entertained of his capaci'y thim this appointment : Nor was this reputation ibund- ed, as too often happens, on the glare of a single achievement : But on the consummate prurience and address displayed during a course of the most adverse fortune. It is the mind that pre- serves its tenor in the midst of revu's.s thai is alone formed for true greatness THE situation of the colonies at this time sug- gested to Dr. Benj imin Franklin the propriety of adopting some efficient plan of union amongst the British colonies ; arid commissioners froai New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Khode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland met at Albany for ihis purpose. * Mr. Marshall erroneous' y supposes tha' the a was in session when the news arrived of B -ulclock's d- feat. Independent of the (late* the lan.^u : .g.? of the communication to both houses, effectually 'ieitr i:es pMint. " I am truly sorry,'* he says, " for the occasion '>{ t tiling you together so suddenly, but the unevp-cted and i< \\ defeat of general Rraddock at Motion^ ...i.it is absolutely necessary to call the as-,e;ubiV ic, 2 C 210 HISTORY OF ^ Dr. FRANKLIN attended here as a si< i;er iiuiu Pennsylvania, and produced a plan,, oi Ai- which, from tbe place of meeting, has been usu- all) termed, " The Albany Flan of Union." Thi& : proposed, that application should be made ior an act of parliament, to establish in the colonies a general government, to be administered by a president- general, appointed by the crown, and b) a grand council, consisting of members cho- sen b) the representatives of the different colo- nies ; their number to be in direct proportion to ; the sums paid by each colony into the general treasury, vith this restriction, that no colony r . should have more than seven, nor less than two representatives. The whole executive authority was committed to the president general. The nower of legislation was lodged in the grand council and president- general jointly ; his consent being made necessary to passing a bill into a law. The power vested in the president and council, v, ere, to declare war and peace, and to conclude treaties with the Indian nations; to regulate trade with, and to make purchases of vacant lands from them, cither in the name of the crown, or of the union ; to settle new colonies, to rmike laws for governing these until they should be' erected into separate governments, and to raise troops, build forts, fit out armed vessels, and. lise other means for the general defence : And, to c.iect these things, a power was given to make laws, laying such duties, imposts, or taxes, as thty should find necessary, and as would be least burdensome to the people. Ail laws were to be sent to England for the king's approbation ; and unless disapproved of within three years, were to remain in iorce. All officers in the land or sea service were to be nominated by the presi- dent-general, and approved of by the general VIRGINIA.^ 211 Council; civil officers were to. be nominated b?; the council, and approved by the presides." Such are the oudines of the pLm proposed, for the consideration of the congress, by Dr. F < nk- lin. After several days discussion, it was unani- mously agreed to by the commissioners, a copy transmitted to each assembh, and one to the king's council. The fate of it was singular. It was disapproved of by the ministry of Great Bri- tain, because it gave too much power to the re- presentatives of the people ; and it was rejected by every assembly, as giving to the presidmt general, the representative of the crown, an in- fluence greater than appeared to them proper in a plan of government intended for freemen. MEANWHILE expresses continually arrived that a large bod} of Indians joined to a select corps of Fren h had issued from Fort Duquesne, and were spreading destr uction on the defenceless fron- tiers of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. So far from being able to restrain the fury of the e irruptions, the regulars and militia pent up in forts, h*d the misery of viewing the desolation, which they could not relieve. The conflagration of houses ; women and children ripped open whilst yet alive; old men knocked on the head ai>.d scalped, and every brutal indignity and mutual lion inflicted on their bleeding bodies by the drun- ken triumph of savages, were rendered familiar by their frequency and repetition* Mr. WASHINGTON, who was on his way to Williamsburg, for the purpose of cotiferri'jqr with the governor on the plan of operations for the campaign ; for the more effectual organization of the militia, and the management of the Indi- ans, was overtaken below Freclericksburg by an express, announcing a new irruption more de- structive than any of the preceding, and he hast- 1S HISTORY OF CHAP. erfr ' back to Winchester, where every object _ .; . bespoke ihe terror excised by these dread I ul in- vaders. " Tht back inhabitants, instead of as- sembling in arms and obtaining safety by nu^ t- ing the enemy, fied into the lower country, and increosc d the general terror. In this state of things he endeavoured to collect and arm the men \\ ho had abandoned their houses, and to remove their wives and children to a distance from the scene of desolation and carnage exhibited on the frontiers ; he gave too the most pressing order* to the new appointed officers, of whose inatten- tion to duty he greatly complained, to hasten their recruits ; and directed the county lieute- nants below the Blue Hidge to order their militia immediately to Winchester. But before these orders could be carried into execution the enemy jecrossed the Alleghany, with their prisoners and plunder, leaving behind them impressions of ter- i-: ; and dismay so deep as no time could after- v arete obliterate or eftace :"# This writer, to illus- ti ate more forcibly his remark F, nuot.es largely irom the letters and dispatches of colonel Washington. Descriptions of scenes so distressing drawn by the principal agent and rendered more vivid by the colourings of his own feelings and observa- tion, produce an effect more striking and drama, tic than the narrative of the historian. But this effect should not be weakened by a too frequent use. Jt may serve to embellish ai\d illustrate & particular situation or incident: But the order of the narrative should not be materially interrupted. Under this impression I shall abstain from quo- t,. tions heedlessly resorted to, and without suffi- cient reason; but i conceive it would be the of VIRGINIA. last *rp-~r of affectation, when writing- arnrrntlve CHAP. of f-ictb, to omit any thing that may conduce to u _ more complete knowledge of those facts, for no better reason than because it has been adopted by another. THE snme writer snes on to give a still more effecting -repetition of these horrors : 4 ' Karlv in the ensuing sprine, the enemy invited by the sac- cess of the preceding year, made another irrup 175B - tiou into the inhabited country, and did great mischief. The number of troops on the regular establishment was toUlly musuflicleTrt f >r the nro- tertio' of the frontier, and it was foun 1 imprac- ticable to obtain effective service from the militia. The Indians divided into small parties, conceal- ed ht-mselves with so much dexterity, as seldom to be perceived until rhe blow \\ as struck. These murders were frequently committed in the very rieighbourhood of the forts, and the detachments from the garrisons, which were e.rij>loyed in scouring the country were generally eluded, or attacked to advantage. In one of these skirmishes, immediately in the neighbourhood of a stockade, %he Americans were totally routed, and cap 1 : tin M*r*.er killed. Such was the confidence of the enemy, that the smaller forts were very frequently -$i>s;t uked, and they had repeated skirmishes* * * In Oiie of these skirmishes, Mr. Donville, an ensign 1n the French servi ;e w.is killed, and in his pocket were found the orders given hiii by Dumas, tK* cosiimandant or 3tc Oti'to, in winch he was obedience 10 orders cuuW ssiduni be euforccU.'"' 214 HISTORY OF CHAP, with such scouting parties as they fell in tvith:* I ll > The people either abandoned the country, or at- Govern,. r templed io secure themselves in small stockade forts, where they were in great distress for pro- visions, arms, and ammunition ; were often surv -rounded and sometimes cut off. With this state of things colonel Washington was deeply affected* " I see their situation," said he, in a letter to the lieutenant governor, " I know their danger, and participate their sufferings, without having it in my power to give them further relief than uncertain promises. In short, I see inevitable destruction in so clear a light, that, unless vigorous measures are taken by the assembly, and speedy assist- ance sent from below, the poor inhabitants novr in forts must unavoidably fall, while the remain r der are flying before the barbarous foe. In fine, the melancholy situation of the people, the little prospect of assistance, the gross and scandalous, abuses cast upon the officers in general, which is reflecting on me in particular, for suffering mis- . conduct of such extraordinary kind, and the dis r tant prospect, if any, of gaining reputation in the service, cause me to lament the hour thai gave me a commission, and would induce me, at any other time than this of imminent danger, to resign, without one hesitating moment, $ command, from which I never expect to reap either honour or benefit : But on the contrary, K\ve almost an absolute certainty of incurring displeasure below, while the murder of helpless families may be laid to my account here. %4 The supplicating tears of the women, and moving petitions of the men, melt me with such r vadly sorrow, that i solemnly declare, if 1'know loy own mind, 1 could offer myself a willing sa- < . Hce to the butchering enemy, provided that \vouid LOU tribute to the -people's -ease."- VIRGINIA 2 * -THESE multiplied disasters .induced colonel CHAP. Washington to propose a new and more e&ctual organization of the militia, and an increase of the regular troops : But the determined economy of the assembly refusing to sanction his projects, he proposed a plan of defence, by establishing a chain of twenty two forts to extend from the ri- ver Mayo to the Patowmac, a line of three him- dred and sixty miles. This project required a force of two thousand men : Bat onh provision, for ten companies could be extorted from the as- sembly, and the project could therefore be only r partially adopted. kt LORD LOUDON at length arrived in Virginia, and in addition to his character as commander in chief, he w&s clothed with the highest civil au- thority, having been appointed governor of the colony. A complimentary address from the re- giment, stating their pleasure at his arrival and appointment, and the readiness with which they 'would execute his commands, was presented to him ; arid a very comprehensive statement of the situation of the colony in a military point of view, and of the regiment in particular, was drawn up and submitted to him by colonel Washington. In this he enumerated the errors which had pre- vented the completion of his regiment, showed the insufficient) of the militia, and demonstrated ihe superiority of an offensive over the defensive systems which had been pursued. After stating the particular situation of the forts, lie proceeded to say, 4 ' it will evidently appear irotn the whole tenor of m\ conduct, but more especially from my reiterated representations, how strongly I have urged the governor and assembly to pursue different measures, and laboured to convince them by all the reasoning I was cupahk oi oiLr- mg, Ql tat iaipo^^iiiL} of covering so exten- lfr fTISTORY OF CHAP, ?7ve a frcrtkr from Inciian incursions, without n.trc force than \ irginia can maintain. 1 have erdeavcijred to demonstrate that it \\ould require kvui n en to remove the cause, than to prevent the effects while the cause exists." " IROCEEDING then to state the services of his regime lit, he added, tl at ui-der the disadvan- tageous restraints which had been enumerated, he- must be permitted to observe, that the regi- ment had not been inactive. " On the- contrary,'* he. said, " it has performed a vast deal of work, and has been very alert in defending: the people, which will appear by observing, that notwith- standing we are more contiguous to the * rench and their Indian allies, and more exposed to their fre- quent incursions than any of the neighbouring colonies ; we have not lost half the inhabitants which others have done, but consider ibly more soldiers in their defence, r or, in the course of this campaign, since March 1 mean, as we have had but one constant campaign, one continued scene cf action since we first entered the service, our troops have been engaged in upwards of twenty skirmishes, and wt- have h.id near OLIC hunditd menkilled and wounded." " AFTER condemning- the ill judged economy shewn in raising men, he proceeded thus to de- scribe the prevailing temper of the day, a temper by no means peculiar to that particular err.. *' We are either insensible oi danger until it breaks up- on our heads; or else, through mistaken notions of economy, evade the expense until the blow is struck, and then run into an extreme of raising r. iiitia. These, after a" age as it were, is spent ii assembling them, come up, make a noise for ?. time, rppuss the inhabitants, and then reUrn, 3 intelligence; and sometimes to diver: the troops, buch an invasion we may expect in March, if measures to prevent it are neglected as ihcv hi- therto have been.' 1 44 THIS statement wns probably presented by colonel Washington in person, who was ptra.it- ted, during the winter, to visit lord Loudon in Philadelphia, where that nobleman met the go- vernors of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Nonh Carolina, and the lieutenant governor of Virgi- nia, in order to rc-ir-iur. vithth-:m on the rrka- siires to be taken in their respective provinces, i'.r the ensuing campaign. He was however, disappointed in his favourite hope of being eru- b-ed to act . offensive;}' against the French o: Ohio. L rd Louden rud determined to d-i :t all his efforts agaii.st the enemy in the northern parts of the continent, and to leave in aid of the middle c ; nd .sout! ern colonies only twelve hun- dred men. Instead of receiving assistance, Vir- ginia was required to send four huudrc-d men to the aid of South Carolina : Yet colonel Wash- ington continued indefatigable in h's endeavours to impress on Mr. Dinwiddiei and on ^he assem- bly, the importance of reviving and properly modifying their military code-, which had now expired, of making a more efficient rrilria !-'.*, and of increasing their number of i 318 HISTORY OP -CHAP. THE assembly prorogued to the 27th of Oc- 1 tober, was dissolved on the 9th oi November, and wri f s were issued for a new assembly to meet on the 22d of the same month. The sole aiten- tion of government was now ciireeted to the de- fence oi the frontiers, and as the late disasters were supposed to flow from the sins of the peo- ple, a fast was enjoined b\ proclamation, for the purpose of averting the anger of heaven. As some alleviation of the present distresses, inform- ation was received that the Cherokecs and Ca- tawbas, hitherto enemies, had smoked the ca- lumet of peace at Fort Cumberland, and had jointly taken up the war club in favour of Vir- ginia, and danced the war dance, the usual pre- face of Indian war. THE campaign to the north, with the excep- tion of the defeat and capture of Baron Diescaw, Was equally inglorious; notwithstanding the great force employed by the colonies, it failed in every one of its parts. Johnson direcu d an expedi- tion against Crown Point, and Shirley against Niagara : But owing to the lateness of the sea- son both were abandoned, and troops put into winter 'quarters. THE plan of operations conceived by the pro- vincial generals appears to have been judicious. Its- first feature was the reduction of Niagara,* for * Niagara is wit) out exception, the r ost important post in America, and secures ii greater number of commu- mentions, through a mere tx ensive country, than perhaps any other pass in the world ; for it is sUuattd at the very <;i fanceofa streighi by which L.ike Ontario is pined to that pf F>ic, which is connected with the otr.cr three great lakt* by the course of the v*st river St. Lawrence, which runs jUirough them all, and carrirs off their superfluous waters t tl)ectan. A htlk abve the fort is the Cataract of Nia>- VIRGINIA. CHAfV the purpose of destroying the commiH?a f ion he- CHA tweeu C.inadx and Loui^htv.t. Hi safety -f * j New York requ'r^d the reduction of Ticonrle- roga and Crown I'oint. l'!i" p^'uSiM* passes gara, the most remaikthlc in t e *oil : for il-.c 41 :.. ai 1 - of water and the jjitatn-.ss ot the full ; the pf j rp< ; dicuiav tall of the water bein< < xacciy otic iu.mlrcd r vx\ thirty -scvun fetrt. Tiiis faU wouid interrupt the cornmerc.- between v ne two lakes, but fora road rn,;d : >y the F e-.ch u^ tlic h;i'.y country thai lies by the s'rei'-^ir ; so liid , .tftir truveli n^ about eight miles, persons m *y feimb k m\<\ ^ro-x^d, without fiirtiier iMetruptioa, to f e L -.k>r line <* Those who travel by land ^re ais j UD!: (ed to cross the streigiit; the lakes be ^ so d^soosecK Miai wi-'h u' a h ,-zu d- ous voyage trie Indiati> caiunit otherwise pass tro-n the no .tu-west t> the s,>uth-east p^r;.s of North \nierca, for many hu idred miles. T e Tort of MM ara : thus naturally commands the Six Nations, ^r.d all h e IndhM T.b.-s :iiat lie to the nonhwatd of tii,, lakes, us well a> tiivine hat are scattered alon^ the bunks of the O vo, ^)tuoachf aiK< *>1.s sibsippi, and, according as it was p^s^ii'ied by the French or English, connccc ; -. \Vi-> t\o\v \is OA ihcm he would gladly visii his t-ieuatn frequently i >SO HISTORY OF CHAP, on Lake Champlain were to have been secured. Fort Duquesne besieged, and Quebre itself threatened by an army by the Kennebeek. But the delay oi lord London, who was appointed the successor of Shirley, paralized. these projects. The want of union and capacity in the British ministry h< d retarded the expedition until the sta sui was oo far advanced. Mr N T c A L M, a ; soldier of reputation, who had L.Ttiy been appointed to the command of all the Fieuch in America, seized this interval of sus- pense and t. mbarrassment to strike a blow that should letrieve the honour of the French arms, Slid establish on a firm foundation the safety of Can ida. He set cut from Quebec w ith a chosen body of French, and by a c- ursecf bold and ju- dick.us maneuvres, having distractc d the atkn- ticn of he Americans, he successively apptaud before the important posts at Oswego and On- ail of v\ hich were carried with scarcely any was proper f -r that purpose that they should allow him to buuc! nimscli an houst, "here he might Jive according to Jus own manner; at the same time, proposing to them ad- vantages in trade for this establishment. His reques' was easily planted The house was huilt, and by degrees tx- tcm et' aril strengthened by various additions, and at last btc -me .- regular fortress, which had evtr since awed the Six Nations, and checked our colonies. ^ As to these immense lakes, which are all in a manner commanded by ?his fort, the reader need only cast his eyes on the map of N.- rth America to be convinced of their im- poiunci-. They afford by fur the most extensive inland na- vigation in the whole universe. Whoever is master of them &,urt sooner or later command that whole continent. They are all surrounded by a tine fruitful country, in a tempe- rate please m climate. The day may possibly come when this noble country, which seems calculated for universal Will biiftVi -p'iy display iisown importance-" tt-.ynnt's British dvi* Vol. 2. /i. 102104^ VIRGINIA. 221 opposition. The earl of Loudon, who had ar- CHAP, rived immediately after these disasters, contented himself with making preparations for the ensuing campaign. FORT Granville, on the frontiers of Pennsylva- nia, was at the same time surprized by a body of Indians, and the garrison with their wives and children driven into captivity ; whilst roving par- ties extending themselves, spread terror and de- solation along the vast extent of undefended fron- tier. THE only offset to the multiplied disasters arose from a spirited incursion into the enem\ 's country, by colonel Armstrong at the head of two hundred and eighiy provincials. He proceeded from Fort Shirky on the Juniata to Kttatinning, the rendezvous of the Morian Indians, who had destroyed Fort Granviile. This settlement hv twenty- five miles above Fort Duquesne on the Ohio ; and his route lay through thick woods and swamps, a distance of at least one hundred and forty miles. On the fifth day he reached the town, at one hundred yards below which he halted, on the banks of the river, and disposed his men in ambush. The Indians engaged in celebrating: one of their festivals, uere attacked at day break, and though wholly unprepared defended themselves with heroic bravery. Captain Ja- cobs, their chief, defended his house through the logs, and repeatedly rejected quarter. The house at length beng fired in several places, ma- ny were su-ftocattd; and Jacobs, his wife, and a child called the king's son, were shot in their at- tempts to escape by the window. Forty Indians perished in this assault, and eleven Knglish pri- soners were released Irom a captivity worse thaa death. HISTORY OF To repress the future incursions of the Indians^' a strong fort was built at Winchester, which was called Loudon in honour of the commander in chief. At the same time the governor of Pennsj l- vania concluded a peace with the Deluwarcs, who inhabited the banks of the Susquehannab. MEANWHILE Dinwiddie announced his in- -July 22, tended departure from the colony ; and the* coun- cil, together with the municipality of Williams- burg, addressed him in language expressive of their esteem and respect. Whilst describing their rep, ret on account of his determination they took occasion to deplore the successless efforts' , of the British fleets and armies. He saikd in the early part of the following >ear, leaving the government, according to established usage and the king's instructions, in the hands of the pre- sident of council, John Blair. > THE characttr of IXinwiddie is marked by few of those points which render a rational being con*' pril 24, S picuous or distinguished. Previous to his ap- 58 * pointment as trovernor, he h id acted as clerk to a collector of the customs in one of the British West Indies. In this sUa VIRGINIA. 225 assailed by the mention of a popish project for the CHAP. destruction of civil and religious liberty upon ni the earth, and the necessity of one great and " common effort among the British provinces, for defeating the intentions of the enemy, at least in America, in attempting to accomplish this desi- rable object, he said defensive war must be wholly abandoned. He dwelt with particular emphasis on his majesty's permission to him to issue com- mistons to such gentlemen of weight as felt the laudable ambition of serving their country, and concluded by declaring his majesty's ex press com- mands to him to pass but such laws only as were actually necessary t\,r the peace and deft nee of the province. The assembly, in their answer, re- gret their inability to engage in offensive opera- tions, but at the same time declare their willing, ness to do all in their power for tix successful ac/* complishment of an object of such peculiar iru terest and urgency. FRANCIS FAUQJJIER arrived on the 7th June, Francis and having produced his commission of lieute Fauquier, nant governor in the council and taken the usual S vt:rnor ' Oaths of office, he issued a proclamation in which all the officers of government were continued. At the same time he dissolved the assembly, and Stafford^ Thompson Ma^on, Thomas Lee, Surry, William Clinch, Heartwell Cockc, Sussex, John Edmunds, John Mason, Warwick, W lliam Digqjs, William Harwood, Westmoreland, Kichurd Lee, Richard Hmry Let, York, Dudley DI^SS. R'-ber. C. trier Nicholas* Co/If ge of William and Mary, George Wy : e, Jamea Town, Edward Champion Travis, Norfolk Borough, William Aitchison, Willicinisburg, The Atiomey-generaU 2 e 226 HISTORY OF CHAP. flJrrcted that a general election of burgesses ,. .' ] L should take place. This body having met by piorogation, chose John Robinson lor their speak- er r, and having presented him to the governor lor his approbation, they petitioned by him thai they might enjoy their ancient rights and privileges. HITHERTO the vessel oi state had wandered through a midnight and tempestuous sea, occa- sionally directed b} flashes which shed a sudden and portentous gleam. Ignorance sat at the helm, and corruption filled the sails ; and nought but the intrepid exertions of the crew had hithtrt osaved the wreck from the shoals and quick sands : when all at once a new light* appeared above the British horizon more glorious than the star of the morning, and the malignant influence of Bute^ sank beneath its ascendant. As it reached its meridian, clouds, and night, and tempest passed away, to lower and rest on tht house oi Bourbon. 1 rom this moment the national character became impressed with images < i glory. MEANWHILE the public attention became stro giy attracted to the operations against Du- Sept. U. quesrce, the conquest of which had been decided on as one oi the most important and necessan ka- tures in the campaign. THE troops, according to the original plan of the campaign destined lor the reduction of this fortrtSb, amounting to eight thousand men, were appointee! to lendezvous at Uayscown. The ge- neral himself, with as many regular^ troops as could be spared irom the service ot the northern department, proceeded irom Philadelphia on the 30lh of November. Colonel Bouquet, with a * William Pitt. f See Juniu*. When that noxious planet," kc. VIRGINIA- 22; body of two thousand men, had been previously CHAP, dispatched as an advance, and from the outlet, the utmost caution was used by choosing advan- tageous posts, and establishing depots of provi- sions and other necessaries to guard against a re- currence of those disasters consequent on the defeat at Monongahela. PURSUANT to the orders of the commander in chief, the Vi ginia troops moved in detachments from Winchester to tort Cumberland. The \vhole frontier of Pennsylvania and Virginia swarmed with Indians, who emboldened by an uninterrupted career of successful cruelty, hung continually on the wings and rear of the mil a body and the advanced guard, and continually harassed the Virginia troops almost within sight of Fort Cumberland. THEIR first object after their arrival at Fort Cumberland, was to open a road from that post to Raystown, where colonel Bouquet was station- ed. A question had arisen by what road the ar- my should march. That by Kaystovvn and Franks had been generally used by the Pennsyl- vania and northern traders; the other led from Wills Creek by the Little and Great Meadows, and was denominated Braddock's. Both these roads had their partisans, and it is not a little curious that Bouquet should have decided in fa- vour of Raystowi as leading directly fro-.u his own state, whilst colonel Wdshin^toa vas equal- ly solicitous that the army should inarch by the Virginia route, with which he had been ucqu tint- ed for many years. It is orobablethat these gtM- tlemen, notwithstanding their zed for die siucess of the expedition, judged more fro >i their ln f >its than from any comparison of du-- advantages of these roads. There is re^soa co believe tuac i 228 HISTORY OF CHAP. q ue t never saw the road of Braddock, and colo* _ nil Washington never that by Raystown. After some consultation that by Raystown was prefer- rtcl, to the great chagrin and disappointment of c and Washington, who persisted to the last, thi aigh ineffectually, in pointing out what he con- ceived the disadvantages, and wh.tt he appre- hrndtd would be the consequences of this reso- His letters, detailing his arguments in support of this opinion, discover a strong and vigorous capacity, together with the faculty but rarely pos- se ssed of setting the strong parts of his subject in a striking point of view, and insisting on them vi'h pc- iiiiar force. They contain at the same tinu innuendos against the folly and arrogance of men in power, and the blunders of th> ir agents in t'is country, which will display the proud feeling oi his own worth and a haughty defiance of au- ti ority. But notwithstanding the ingenious man- i>cr in which he has defended his opinion, there is just reason to believe that he was wrong. THE route of the main body of the army lay through the whole extent of Pennsylvania. If the rum) had assembled at Will's Creek, Braddock's road had been incomparably superior; but as yr^uers stood, to march by ihis route would have added fifty miles to the distance. It was asserted too with some appearance of reason, that the Hay s^ow n road was less subject to an inundation oi its' water courses, and abounded much less \\iih difficult passes and defiles. The official let- ters ol Braddock had described the face of the country tin "U^h which he marched, " to lie across n>oumains and rocks ol an excessive height, vastly SKCJ* ai;d divided by toi rents and rivers." Such til kitst is the opinion oi the ingenious historian VIRGINIA; 229 e r North America.* Speaking of Braddock he CH\P. s ys, the general should have therefore certainly landed in Pennsylvania, and the contract for sup- pi\ing his troops should have been nude with some ot the principal people there, who could easily have performed their contracts; and hid ht encamped at Frankstown or somewhere on the south vve>t borders of that province, his roid to >ort I uqutsne would have been more practicable and fifty milt s nearer than b\ Will's Creek. Later experience has fully justified the correctness of this opinion. THE different detachments of the army having assembled at U ivstown, they proceeded slowly on their march through a country hitherto little known, rendered almost impassable by woods, mountains and morassts, and continually haras- std by the French and Indians. Colonel Bou- quet with the same formidable guard, was atwa} s kept a considerable distance in advance, for the purpose of protecting the workmen employed in miking the road, and in order to repress the in- cursions ot the Indians. By incredible labour the advance at length reached Loyal Hanning a post, about fifty miles distant from Raystown, \vhose advantageous site pointed it out as proper for a fort. From this post major Grant was de- tached with a chosen body of eight hundred men to reconnoitre the country in the neighbourhood of Fort Duquesne, and make such further ob- servations of the strength of the enemy as would facilitate the success ot the main operation:-. Dar- ing the night he reached a hill near the foit where his men were posted ii order of battle, and AH a party of observation was advanced, who returned Wynne. 230 HISTORY OF after having burnt a lo^ house near the WaUs* The enduing morning Grant posted major Le". is with a guard in hi* rear for the protection of the baggage, and at the same time sent an engineer with a covering p irt} to take a plan of the works These things passed within full view of the fort,, and as if the enemy were not sufficiently apprized of his imprudence and temerity, the reveillez, by orders of the commander, was beaten by all the drums of the detachment in several places. DURING the whole of this rash and arrogant parade the fort did not fiie a single gun. Silence Battle of reigned within those wails that formerly resound- yul Han- C( j W ^ t j 1 l j ie 1Qur Q f cannon anc j the terrific din of the war whoop. Thest delusive appearances hav- ing confirmed the blind and fatal security of Grant, on a signal given the gates of Fort Duquesne were thrown open, arid multitudes of Indians at once set- ting up the terrific scream of the war whoop, issued forth and spread themselves according to custom on the flanks ; whilst a chosen body of French re- gulars proceeded in close order to the attack of the advanced party. This being almost imme- diately dissipated or destroyed, Grant arrived with the main body, and a sanguinary encounter took place similar in all respects to the fatal day at Monongahela : the same obstinate adherence to European tactics ; the same panic, and disorder, and destruction of the troops ; the blind and obsti-* nate presumption of the commander was the same, differing only in the ultimate fate of the comman- ders. For the gallant spirit who commanded at Monongahela expiated his indiscretion by his blood ; whereas the vain and boasting Grant was spared to obliterate this disgrace at Loyal Banning by his superior foily and imprudence in the British .ieruto. VIRGINIA. f31 AT the commencement of the action major CHAP. Lewis hastened \vith the principal part of the ... ll ' . rear guard to the support of Grant, leaving be- hind him fifty Virginians with captain Bulltt, for the defence of the baggage. But their united efforts were unavailing to stop the progress of the enemy, who now confident of success left their concealment, and proceeded to finish with the tomahawk and scalping knife what had been left undone by the ritle. A scene of brutal and fe- rocious cruelty immediately commenced, which the utmost efforts of the French were unable to put a stop to. Irritated by the fate of several of their countrymen during the battle, the Indi- ans refused to give quarter and inhumanly but* chered the English and provincials in the very act of surrender. Majcr Grant, the author of all these misfortunes, had barely time to save his lite by giving himself up to a French officer, who had the utmost difficulty in protecting him. The bloody tomahawk was uplifted to strike, and the angry glance of the savage dt mauded his victim; but the Frenchman insisted on his promise and the usages of civilized warfare. The life of the gallant Lewis was exposed to greater and more imminent peril, tie had been engaged for some time with an Indian whose repeated blows he had hitherto successfully parried. At length he was so fortunate as to extricate himself by the death of his enemy : But his place being immediately sup- plied by others, he retreated until he reachtd a French detachment to whose oftLer he surrender- ed himself AN universal rout now took place, and carnage Defeat ami unresisted and marked by those shocking enor- ut of Bri - mities which characterize Indian war. In this ex- tlsh ? nc ! . . . provincials, igence Bullet, whose magnanimous spirit was equalled only by his ioresight and collection. 232 HISTORY OF took immediate measures for saving the princi- pal part of the baggage, and if possible the re- mains oi the dt tachment. Having dispatched the most valuabk part oi the baggage with the strong- est horses, he disposed the remainder at an ad- vantageous point cl the icao, as a cover icr his troops and rallied several of the fugitives as they can it up. nware, from the character of the enemy and their conduct during the engagement, that no quarter was to be expected, he embraced an expedient contrary to all the established laws oi arms, and which under any other circum- stances would have been wholly unjustifiable. Having animated the courage of his followers by a brief but expressive appeal to their character to aiid circumstances, he directed them to fire with precision until their enemies became too nume- rous, when on a signal given they were to march out with their .;rms as if demanding quarter. ANIMATED by his example, the troops lite- rally followed the order of their leader, and as the Indians pressed on, a destructive fire unexpect- , t-dly opened from behind the bag-gage waggons, which checked their career and threw them into visible confusion ; but their numb TS increasing every moment, and apprehensive that they would attempt to get in his rear, Bullet held out the sig- nal for capitulation. Jn a moment the detachment in a suppliant position and with their arms invert- ed, proceeded slowly towards the enemy, whose impatience would hardly peimit them to wait the form of a surrender. Already the tomahawk was graspe d for toe purpose of vengeance, and the scalp- ing knife thirsted to slake its fury in their blood when the terrible woid c/iarge was uttered by Bui- let, and was repeated by the whole detachment j a n ;ost dcbtruct ive voll< y at only cii>ht yards distance the ready execution, ui this order, uuei VIRGINIA: 233 before the enemy could recover from the asto- CHAP. nishment and terror excited by this procedure, a furious onset with fixed bayonets effected a com- plete discomfiture and route. The Indians ima- gined from the fury of this onset that rhe whole army Mas at hand, and never stopt till they reached the French regulars. BULLET having gained the respite wanted, and rightly judging that to attempt any thing offen- sively with his handful of men, would be only a vain and desperate sacrifice, wisely continued his retreat towards the main body, collecting as he proceeded the wounded and terrified regulars who, ignorant of the cruntry, wandered up and down without food, and haunted by incessant terrors of the savages. IN this fatal action twenty one officers and two hundred and seventy. three privates were either killed or taken. Of these the first Virginia regi- ment lost six officers and sixty-two privates; no- other corps, the Highlanders excepted, suffered in the same proportion. BUT great and serious as was the loss of men wantonly sacrificed by the rashness of their com- mander, it added another honourable wreath to the brow of Virginia prowess. The cool and steady valour of the provincials had a second time saved from certain destruction the regular troops. The merits of captain Bullet in particu- lar were the theme of general and merited eu- logy. Governor Fauquier who was an excellent judge of merit, was olten in the habit of pro- nouncing the retreat of Loyal Manning equal to any thing of its kind in history ; and 'he ap- pointment of Bullet to the rank of irujor would justify an opinion that his promotion was the re- ward of his conspicuous merit on this occasion. 2F 234 HISTORY OF CHAP. MEANWHILE the main body of the army had marched frorn Loyal Manning on the 13h, fol- lowed on the 17th by the general, who brought up the rear with the whole of the artillery. Along the whole route they were infested by small par- ties of Indians, who were often daring enough to fire into the camp, and often successful in tak- ing scalps, and prisoners within the very view of the army, THE duty of guarding against and repelling these dangerous and destructive incursions was prudently committed to the provincials, a service in which the Virginians, with colonel Washing- ton, peculiarly distinguished themselves. In one of these skirmishes at a short distance from Loyal Manning, colonel Washington having defeated a party oi Indians, took some of them prisoners : Colonel Mercer of the second Virginia regiment, having been detached to support him came up about night, and having seen indistinctly the In- dian prisoners, he concluded they were enemies and fired. Under the influence of this fatal mistake an engagement immediately commenced, which was terminated only by the admirable judgment and intrepid interference of the officers. The mis- take w r as detected by the sound of the musqucts: It was known that Washington's men fired a bul- let and two buck shot : fourteen men were killed and wounded. THE different bodies had again united and pro- ceeded with the utmost circumspection towards Fort Duquesne, in sight of winch the whole ar- fny arrived in good order on the twenty, third, and preparations immediately commenced for be- sieging it in form. THIS fort, celebrated as having given rise to a most destructive war almost in every region of the globe, was situated on a point of laud VIRGINIA. 235 ibrmed by the junction of the Monongahela with the Ohio, and was by its real strength and inv portance every way disproportioned to the exag- gerated picture drawn by the fears and terrors excited by repeated disasters. Every step taken by the army from Loyal Manning contributed to Jkeep alive those impressions. It was strewed with human bones in various stages of decay, mingled with those of horses and of oxen. As they approached, the accumulations of whitened bones and putrid bodies alternately pointed out the melancholy defeat of Braddock and more re- cent disaster of Grant. To within one hundred yards of the wails, the remains of these disasters extended as so many seeming proofs of the massy strength of its ramparts, as terrible trophies of the bravery of its garrison. A NEARER and more accurate observation pointed out the fallacy of this opinion. The face of the fort, whose form was a polygon, extended only one hundred and eighty feet ; and the effect of a few shells demonstrated its utter iiicomne- tency to resist a cannonade, even for a few hours. A series of unsuccessful attacks convinced the enemy that they couW no longer look for success in the mistakes or blunders of the British, and fear for the first time passed from their camp into die walls of Fort Duquesne. The Indians, whose notions of policy depend wholly o : i the prospect of success, wavered in their attachment ; and se- veral tribes having been previously gained, with- drew from the defence of a post which the Great Spirit was supposed to have devoted to destruc- tion. DETERMINED by these decisive warnings, the French commander had for some time been pre- paring for the evacuation of this interesting posi- 236 HISTORY OF CH\P. tion, and from their posts on the Mississippi TI1 and Ohio had collected canoes and batteaux for the transportation of every thing valuable which could be withdrawn. A variety of skilful manoeu- vres were practised for the purpose of dividing the attention of the British, and a feint was made to call their attention to the safety of their rear, which was menaced by small parties of Indians who yet remained faiihful. Every thing at length being ready, fire was communicated to various combustibles disposed for the destruction of the fort, which for the most part was constructed of wood; whilst a mine sprung at the moment of departure, completed the demolition of the fort- ress. A short time after the explosion, colonel Washington, with the advanced guard, entered the fortress amidst the ruins still smoking, and planted the British flag : But the enemy were be- yond the reach of attack, having dropt down to their settlements at Presqu'isle and Venango. THUS in the third year of the war, after incre- dible losses, dangers and humiliation, this fort passed into the hands of the British without any resistance ; and after receiving such repairs and improvements as the nature of circumstances would permit, was garrisoned by a party of pro- vincials, and called Pittsburgh in honour of the great stateman who now presided over the coun- cils of Britain. HAVING accomplished those necessary objects, the army and their general were seized with the tender and pious sentiment of discharging the last sad duties to the remains of their country- men, which lay scattered round the fort. Disfi- gured, mutilated by wounds ^inflicted in battle, or torn by birds and beasts of prey, they pre- sented a spectacle horrible to the sight, VIRGINIA; 237 iiil to the imagination ; whilst the masses of bare CHAP. and whitened bones furnished a melancholy asso ciation of remote and recent disasters. Nothing could exceed the silent sublimity of feeling amongst the victors as they walked through this army of the dead : Now and then the silence was broken by the exclamation of some veteran, who had been present and had miraculously survived those calamities. The bones and bodies were collected with pious care, and buried in one com- mon tomb ; the whole army from the general to the lowest centinel assisting at the solemn cere- mony.. THIS scene suggests a parallel situation in Ro- man history, described by the masculine elo- quence of Tacitus. " NOT far hence lays tlie forest of Teutobur- gium, and in it the bones of Varus and his le- gions, by report still unburied : Hence Germa- nicus became inspired with a tender passion to pay the last offices to the legions and their leader : the like tenderness likewise affected the whole army. They were moved with compassion, some for the fate of their friends, others for their rela- tions, here tragically slain. They were struck with the doleful casualties of war, and the sad lot of humanity. Cce-:ina was sent before to ex- amine the gloomy recesses of the forest, to lay bridges over the pools, and upon the deceitful marshes and causeways. The army entered the doleful solitude, hideous to sight, hideous to memory. First they saw the camp of Varus, wide in circumference ; and the three distinct places allotted to the different eagles shewed the number of the legions : further they beheld the ruinous intrenchment and the dit ;h nigh chouked up ; in it the remains of the army were supposed 238 HISTORY OF CHAP, to have made their last effort, and in it to _ found their graves. In the open fields lay their bones all bleached and bare, some separate, some on heaps, just as they hud happened to fall, flying for their lives or resisting unto death. Here were scattered the limbs of horess ; there pieces of bro- ken javelins, and the trunks of trees bore the skulls of men. In the adjacent groves, were the savage altars where the barbarians had made an horrible immolation of the tribunes and principal centu- rians. Those who survived die slaughter, hav- ing escaped from captivity and the sword, re- lated the sad particulars to the rest. " Here the commanders of the legions were slain ; thee we lost the eagles : Here Varus had his first wound ; there he gave himself another, and perished by his own unhappy hand ; in that place too stood the tribunal whence Arminius harangued ; in this quarter, for the execution of his captives, he erected so many gibbets ; in that, such a number of funeral trenches were digged, and with these circumstances of pride and despite he insulted the ensigns and eagles." Thus the Roman army buried the bones of three legions six years after the slaughter. " NOR could any one distinguish whether he gathered the particular remains of a stranger or those of a kinsman ; but all considered the whole as their friends, the whole as their relations, with heigthened resentments against the foe, at once sad and revengeful : in this pious office, so acceptable to the dead, Gerrnanicus was a part- ner in the woe of the living, and upon the com- mon tomb laid the first sod." HAVING paid this sacred debt to the manes of two armies, the general confirmed by new for- malities the treaty ratified with the Indians at VIRGINIA. Kastoru* and having erected a Block house at Loyal Harming, which he dignified with the ti- tle of Fort Ligonier, he returned to Philadelphia, THE capture of tills interesting fortress dif- * This meeting, independent of the honourable William Dnny, esq. lieutenant-governor; Lawrence Gordon, Wil- liam Logan, Richard Peters, Lynn-Ford Lardner, Benja- min Chew, John Mifflin, esquires, members of the gover- nor'a council ; Isaac Morris, Joseph Fox, Joseph Galloway, John Hughes, Daniel Roberdeau, Amos Strickland, esquires, committee of the house ofr representatives; Charles Re.ui, Jacob Spicer, esquires, commissioners for Indian affairs in the province of New Jersey, and a number of magistrates of this and the neighbouring province, and of the citizens of the city ot Philadelphia, chiefly of the people caller Qua- kers ; consisted of George Croghan, esquire, deputy agent, for Indian affairs, under sir William Johnson. Indians of several nations, viz. Mohawks. Nichas, or Karaghudie, with one woman and two boys, -- 4 Oneidoes. Thomas King, Anagaraghity, Avtanyquou* with three warriors captains, six warriors and thi'ty- three women and children, -....-.-45 Ononda^ots A saradonguas, with nine men and nine women and ch.idren, 19 Seyugas. Tokaai on, with ei^ht men, and eleven wo- Camen and children, -..--.--.- 20 neras. Taktaghsado, Taprashata, or Se^achafJon, chief man, with seven oiHer chiefs, thirty-seven other men, twenty-eight women, and several chil- ren, in ail, 83 Tuscaroras. Unata, alias Jonathan, with five men, twelve women and two children, ------ 20 Naut.icokes and Conovs. now one nation. Robert White, alias \Volahocumv, Pashaamokas, alias Charles, with sixteen men, twenty women and eigh- teen children, -..-.---.-- 56 Kandt, ali<-s Last Night, with nine men, ten wo- men and one child, 9* Tuteloes. Cakanonekoanos, alias Big, Arm, Asswaga- rat, with six men and three women - - - - U 240 HISTORY OF CH^AP. fused a general joy throughout America, but more especially through the provinces of Penn- sylvania, Virginia and Maryland. It was offici- ally announced to the assembly, which sat on the 22d ot February, and was urged as a new motive for encreasing rather than abating the exertions of the colony. He tells them that the remain- der of the regimtnt agreeably to the best ad- vice and information he had been able to collect, had been stationed in the most proper and com- modious lorts and posts in the several counties of Hamshlre, Frederick and Augusta, and the four companies of rargtrs in the counties of Bedford and Halifax ; and that in Order to the saving expense he had disbanded the militia Chugnuts. Ten men and twenty women and children, 30 Chehohockes, alias Delawares and Unamies. Teedy- uscung, with sundry men, women and children, - 60 Munsies, or Mmisinks. Egohohowen, with sundry men, women and children, --.--.. 35 IMohickons. Abraham, or Mammatuckan, with seve- ral men, women and children, - - - * - - 56 Wapings, or Pumtons Nimham, Aquaywochtu, viith sundry men, women and children, in all, - - - 47 In all, 507 Conrad Weiser, esquire, provincial interpreter ; captain Henry Montour, interpreter in the Six Nation and Dela- ware languages; Stephen Calvin, Isaac Stille, Moses Tit- tamy, Delaware Indians, interpreters in the Delaware lan- guage. ** At a private conference with the Indians, on the 15th of October, 1758, present governor Denny, his council and the committee ot assembly, and governor Bernard and the Jersey commissioners; chiefs ol tr.e Mohawks, Senecas and Onoiidugoes ; chiefs of the Oneidoes, Cayugas, Tusca- roras, Nanticockes or Conoys, and lutdcts " Nichas, the Mohawk chief, stood up, and directing; his discourse to both governors, said, VIRGINIA. 241 IT will be proper in this place to take a curso- CHAP, ry view of die military operations of this year in the other colonies, there existing at this time amongst them all, aft acknowledged identity of in- terest together with a semi men t of common at- tachment, arising out of their common clanger. Brothers, 4k We thought proper to meet you here, to have private discourse about our nephew Teedyu-cung. " You all know that he gives cm 1 ., he is the great man and chief often nations; this is his constant discourse. Now I on behalf the Mohawks say, we do not know he is such a great man If he is such a great man, we desire to know who has made him so. Perhaps you have, and if this be the case, tell us so. It may be the French have made him so. We \vaui to inquire and knew whence his greatness arose. " Tagashata on the behalf of the Senecas spoke next. *' Brethren, *' I, for my nation, say the same that Nichas has said; I need not repeal it. I say we do not know who has made Tcedyuscung this great man over ten nations ; and I want to know who made him so " Assarandonguas spoke next, on behalf of the Ononda. goes. * Brethren, " I am here to represent the Onondagoes ; and I say for them, that I never heard before now that Teedyuscung was wurh a ^reat man, and much less can I tell who made him so. No such thing was ever said in our towns, as that Tee- tlyuscung was such a gre .t man. " Thomas King sp^ke * Brethren the governors, and att present, u Take notice that I speak in behalf of five nations, who have their deputies here present, viz. ?he Oaeidocs, Cayu- ^as, Tuscaroras, Nanticokcs and Coiioys, who have joined together, and now make one nation, a id Tuteloes. W* live are all connected together, and if any thin^ is said to one of us, ii is com nunicatcd to all the rest. " On their behalf I now tell you, we none of us know who has made Teedyuscung such a great man; pehap^the French have> or perhaps you have, or some among you, as .2G 242 HISTORY OF CHAP. THE army in America, under the command of 111 Abcrcrombie, amounted to fifty thousand men, of " whom twenty. two thousand were regulars and maiines. Independent of the eight thousand men under \ orbes, destined for the capture of Fort Duquesne. This army was disposed in the follow, ing manner : Twelve thousand under the com- mand of general Amherst, were to. make an at. tempt on Louisburg whilst sixteen thousand under the immediate direction of the commander in chitf were reserved for the reduction oi Crown Point. Theac- THE reduction of Louisburg, being an object o^r'ttons 6 ^ i mmtcu 'ate Consideration, was undertaken with inThe other a ^ p osi *ible dispatch. On the 28th of May, gen. states ista- Amherst tmbaiked his troops at Halifax, in No- ken from __^ Wynne. you have different governments, and are different people- \\ e, tor i.w pails, tmirti) c iscwn that he has any awho- rit) over us, and dtsiie to know from whence he derives his authority. A belt. Then governor Bernard spoke. Brethren of all the confederated nations, "As you proposed your qut siion, concerning Teedyuscung separately, I ihink it pioper to g,ve you a separate answer theie'o. " I know not who made Teedyuscung so great a man ; nor do I know that he is any greater than a chief of the De- lavare Ir.diens, settltd at \Vyomink. The title of king couki not be givtn hm, by any English governor; for we know very wtil, that theit is i>o sucli person among Indi- ans, as what we call a king. And if we call him so, \vc nitan no more than a Sachem or chief. I observe, in his treaties, which he has held with the governors of Pennsyl- vania (which 1 have perused since our laat meeting) he says he was a v\onan till you made him a man, by putting a Ton.ahavk in his har.ci ; and through all of those treaties, especially in tie last, held at this to\vn,he callsyou hisun- cies, ana professes that he is dependent on you ; and I know nn that any :hin^ has tince lu-ppcned to alter his relation to you." 'I ihereiore -Consider him to be still your nephew. VIRGINIA- va-Scotia, and sailed for Louisburg, with the CHAP. English squadron, consisting of twenty-one line of battle ships, and twenty irigates, commanded by admiral Boscawen, that had arrived from Eng- land some time before; the whole fleet, including transports, amounted to one hundred and fifty sail. On the second of June, the fleet came safely to an anchor in Gabarus Bay, about seven miles to the westward of Louisburg. The garrison of this place was composed of two thousand five hundred regular troops, and three hundred militia, form- ed of the burghers, under the command of the Chevalier Drucour ; and, soon after the landing of the English forces, the enemy was reinforced by three hundred and fifty Canadians, including sixty Indians. The mouth of the harbour was guarded by six ships of the line and five frigates, three of which were sunk across the harbour's mouth, in order to render the passage impassable to the English fleet. The governor had taken every precaution in his power to prevent a land- ing : he had drawn entrenchments in every part where he supposed it possible to land, supported them with batteries in convenient places, and lin* ed them with a numerous infantry. But though this chain of posts extended two leagues and an half along the most accessible parts of the beach, some spots still remained unfortified ; and on one of these the English forces were disembarked. UPON the fir^t appearance of the EnglrJi fleet, the French gov< rnor, Drucour, sent out several detatchments to observe their motions ; but gen. Amherst, by sending several sloops under a strong convoy, towards Lonmbec, beyond the mouth of the harbour, drew the enem} 's attenti- on to that part of the island, while a landing was actually effected on the other side of the town, on the eighth of June, under the command of bri- HISTORY OF gadier- general Wolfe ; several sloops and fngate% having previousl} 7 scoured the beach v ith their shot. The disembarkation, however, was attend- ed with many difficulties, from a viclentsurf which rolled impetuously on the beach, and a severe fire of cannon and musquetry from the enemy, who reserved their shot till the boats were alrr-rst close to the shore. Wolfe, however, pursued his point, \vith admirable courage and deliberation ; cr-d the soldiers, though the fiie of the enemy did great execution, and many boats were overset and broke to pieces, supported and encouraged in all difficul- ties, by the example, spirit, and conduct, of thtir truly gallant commander, leaped into the water, gained the shore, (the general himself being among the first who landed), and fell upon the enemy with such order and resolution, that they soon obliged them to fly in confusion. But the diffi- culty of landing artillery and stores in boister- ous weather, added to the nature of the ground, \vhich, being marshy, was unfit for the convey, ance of heavy cannon, retarded the operations of the siege, which weie carried en with great cir- cumspection by general Amherst. THE first thing done was to secure a point called the Lighthouse- Battery, from whence they rr-ight play upon the French ships in the harbour, which were capable ot bringing all their guns to bear up- on the approaches of the besiegers, and on the batteries on the other side of the harbour. Gen. Wolfe performed this service with his usual con- duct, activity, and bravery ; and took possession of this and all the other posts in that quarter. His fire from this post, on the twenty fifth, silenc- ed the island battery, which was that most imme- diately opposed to his. In the interim, the be- siegeel made several sallies, but with very little ef- fect : but the ships in the harbour still continued VIRGINIA. 245 to bear upon him, until the twenty- first of the CHAP. following month, when one of them blew up, and _ communicating the fire to two others, they al so were, in a short time, consumed to the water edge. The regular approaches conducted by the engineers, under the immediate command and inspection of general Amherst, were now carried on with vigour, and drew near the covered way, and things were in a good condition to make a lodgment on it ; the enemy's fire was considera- bly slackened ; the town was consumed to the ground, in many places ; and the works had suf- fered much, in every part. Yet the enemy still delrying to surrender, the admiral, who had, dur- ing the whole siege, co-operated with the general with remarkable harmony, cheerfully assisting him with cannon and other implements, with detach- ments of marines to maintain posts on shore, with parties of seamen to act as pioneers, and assist in working the guns and mortars ; notwithstanding the severity of the weather, resolved on a stroke, which, b) being decisive of the possession of the harbour, migtit make the reduction of the town a matter of little difficulty. He accordingly sent six hundred seamen in boats, to take- or burn the tw r o ships of the line which re my me d; and, if successful in this attempt, he proposed the next diV to send in some of his great ships, to batter the town on the side of the hui bour. This scheme was successfully execute el by captains Laforey and Balfour, who entering the harbour, in the night between the twenty-fifth and twenty sixth days of the month, in spite of the fire iiom the Irench ships and batteries, boarded them, sword in hard, and made themselves masters cf both the ships ; one of which was set on lire and destroyed, being aground, but the other v.as towed out of the har- bour in triumph. 246 HISTORY OF THIS stroke, in support of the spirited endea- vours of the land forces, was conclusive ; the French governor, finding it impossible to stand an assault, and divers practicable breaches being ef- fecttd, capitulated on the next day, by which he and his garrison became prisoners of war. Thus, at the expence of about four hundred men killed or wounded, the important island of Cape Breton, and strong town of Louisburg, \vere taken ; in which the victors found two hundred and twenty- one pieces of cannon, and eighteen mortars, with a very large quantity of stores and ammunition. The inhabitants were sent to France in English ships ; but the garrison, sea officers, sailors, and marines, amounting, in the whole, to five thousand six hundred and thirty seven, were carried prison- crs to England. As this island, and the town of Louisburg, \vere of the greatest importance to France, and the centre of their valuable fishery, a constant re* pository for their privateers, who from thence in great numbers infested the colonies, and the key to their settlements on the continent of North- America ; a description of both, while they re- mained in the hands of the enemy, will not, we hope, prove disagreeable to the reader, especially as the island is now ceded to England, the fortifi- cations demolished, and the strong forts and bat- teries rendered a confused heap of ruins. THE town of Louisburg, in the island of Cape Breton, was situated in the latitude of 45 deg. 50 min. north, and 58 deg. J5 min. west, of the me- ridian of London. It was of a middling size; the houses of wood, on stone found, itions, which were carried about six feet above the ground. The town was walled, and extremely well fortifit d in the modern manner : there was, indeed, one part without any wall, for a about an hundred yards ; VIRGINIA. 4 but it would have been here ^quite unnecessary, CHAP. the sea flowing close to the town, and therefore IIJ< apallisadoe was judged a sufficient defence, hven small baiks could not approach it, for want of a suf- ficient de pth of water ; and ships were obliged to keep ata very considerable distance, on account of rocks and shoals. Besides, there were two collateral bastions, which flauked this part very advantageously. In the centre of one of the chief bastions was a strong building, with a moat on the side towards the town, which was called the citadel, though it had neither artillery nor a struc- ture proper to receive any : the entrance to it, indeed , was over a draw- bridge ; on one side of which was a corps de garde, and advanced centinels on the other. Within tnis building were the apart- ments for the governor, the barracks for the gar- rison, and the arsenal ; and under the platform of the redoubt, a magazine, always well furnished with military stores. The parish church also stood within the citadel ; and without it was ano- ther, belonging to the hospital of St. Jean de Dieu v an elegant, spacious structure, though founded long since, THE harbour is large and safe, but the entrance very narrow ; being confined between an island, on which was a strong fort, and the opposite side, where was a very high tower, made use of as a light house. Here was a large fortification, called the Royal Battery, whl;h defended the mouth of the harbour ; and beyond it another fort, built far- ther within the harbour. From this fort the coast winds inward, and forms a large bay, with a good depth of water, defended from all winds ; and here the large vessels were laid up in winter ; but in sum-' mer they anchored before the town, at about a quarter of a league distance; though smaller ships might come within, a cable's length of the shore, 248 HISTORY OF CHAP, and lie quiet from all winds except the east, which blow s right into the harbour's mouth. THE entrance of the harbour is very safe, there being only one rock, which is underwater ; but the sands near it are dry. In winter, however, the hai bour is entirely frozen over : that season begins here towards the end of November, and lasts till May or June. Sometimes the frosts set; in sconer, and are more intense ; it not being un- common for the harbour to be wholly frozen over in October. THE island produces a great quantity of timber - paiticularly oaks of a prodigious size, pines fit ior masts, cedar, ash, plane-trees, andaspins. and contains excellent coal-mines. The great length, and intense cold, of the winters, being a great im- pediment to agriculture, the inhabitants made fishing their sole Occupation j and their example \vas followed by the inhabitants of St. John's, a small adjacent island in the gulphof St. Laurence, which submitted immediately, upon the reducti- on of Louisburg. IN the mean time, the military operations on the continent were carried on with equal vigour. The forces under the immediate conduct of gen > Abercrombie, consisting of near seven thousand regular troops and ten thousand Provincials, em- barked, in the beginning of July, on the Lake George, in the neighbourhood ot Lake Champiain, on board of nine hundred batteaus, and one him. dred and thirty. five whale boats, with provisions, artillery, and ammunition j several pieces of artil.ery bt ing mounted on n.i'isio cover the intended land- ing, which was tfftcu d wiihout opposition. The general then formed his troops into three columns, and marched against Ticondero^a, a fort, situated on ;\ point of land between Lake George and a. narrow jut communicating with Luke. Champlain,- VIRGINIA. $49 secured by a morass in front, and on the other CHAP. three sides surrounded with water. ?_!!:_ THE enemy's advanced guard fled on his ap- proach, with a great precipitation, deserting a logged camp, after having burnt their tents, &c The country tor as all a thick wood, thro' which the English forces continued their march, but found it impassable, with any regularity, for such a bo- dy of men ; and the guides proving extremely unskilful, the troops were bewildered, and the columns broken, felling in one upon another. - Lord Howe, at the head of the right centre * co- lumn, fell in with a party of French regulars, of about four hundred men, who had lost their way in their retreat from their advanced post : a skin* mish ensued, in which the enemy weie routed, with considerable loss ; one hundred and forty - eight being taken prisoners , including five officers* This trifling advantage was dearly bought with the loss of lord Howe, who fell in the beginning of the action, unspeakably regretted ; having dis- tinguished himself, in a peculiar manner, by his courage, activity, and rigid observation of mili- tary discipline, and acquired the esteem and love of the soldiers by hib generosity, sweetness of manners, and engaging address. The troops weie now so greatly latigued and disordered, from want of rest and refreshment, that general Aber- crombie thought it adviseable to march back to the landing place. As soon as the men were re- covered from their fatigue, lieutenant-colonel Brad* street was detached with a regiment of regulars, six companies of Royal Americans, and a body of Rangers, to take possession of a saw- mill in the neighbourhood of Ticondcroga, which feecn deserted by the enemy. 250 HISTORY OF CHAP. ABERCROMBIE having secured this post, ad- _ vanced to Ticonderoga, where the enemy had made a very strong line, upwards of eight feet high, on that part of the front where the morass failed, defended by cannon, and near six thousand men, including Canadians and Indians. A great number ot felled trees, with their branches out- M'ard, were spread before the entrenchment, which projected in such a manner as to lender it almost inaccessible. NEVERTHELESS, the engineer who was sent to reconnoitre the place, made so favourable a re- port of the entrenchment, that it appeared practi- cable to force it by musquetry alone ; and, in con- sequence thereof, the fatal resolution was taken not to wait the arrival of the artillery, which could not be easily brought up, on account of the badness of the ground ; but to attack the enemy, without loss of time. The general was confirmed in this precipitate resolution, by the account he received from his prisoners, that a bo- dy of three thousand men, under Mons. de Levy, were on their march to join the enemy, and were very shortly expected to arrive. This officer had been eletached to make an irruption through the pass of Oneyada, on the Mohawks River, but had been recalled, before he could execute this design, upon intelligence of general Abercrom- bit's approach to Ticonderoga*. WHEN the attack began, the strength of the enemies' lines, which had been so little foreseen, was but too severely felt. Though the troops behaved with the utmost spirit and gallantry, they * Brigadier Stanwix was afterwards sent thi'her, with a considerable body of Provincials ; and this important pass secured by a fort built at that juncture. VIRGINIA. 2 suffered so terribly in their approaches, and made CHAP so little impression on the intrenchment, that the general seeing their repeated and obstinate efforts fail of success, (being upwards of four hours ex- posed to a most terrible fire from the enemy, who were so well covered, that they could with the greatest deliberation direct their fire without the least danger to themselves), thought it necessary to order a retreat. The army retired unmolested to their former camp, to the southward of Lake George, the evening after the action, with the loss of about eighteen hundred men, killed or wound- ed, including a great number of officers. Every corps behaved on this unfortunate occasion, with the greatest intrepidity ; but the greatest loss was sustained by lord John Murray's highland regi- ment, of which above half of the private men, and twenty-five officers were either killed or despe- rately wounded. To repair this misfortune, general Abercrom- bie detached colonel Bradstreet with three thou- sand Provincials, against Fort Frontenac, situated on the north side of the river St. Laurence, where it takes it rise from the Lake Ontario. The co- lonel had some time since formed a plan for mak- ing himself master of this place ; he according- ly, after having surmounted great difficulties, pe- netrated with his army, to the eastern bank of the Lake Ontario, where embarking on board several sloops and batteaus, provided for that purpose, he landed within a mile of Fort * rontenac, the gar- rison of which, consiting of one hundred and ten men and a few Indians, surrendered at discretion in less than two days after it had been attacked, without the loss of a single man on our side. The fort itself was inconsiderable and badly con- structed, being only a square of one hundred yards ; and thci-gh it contained sixty cannon, on- 252 HISTORY OF ly half of them were mounted, and sixteen small moitars. Nine armed sloops were taken and burnt, and an immense quantity of provisions and merchandize, designed for their troops on the. Ohio, and their garrisons to the southward and westward. The fort poorly fortified and weakly gairioiied for a post of such importance, being the magazine for all their western and southern, garrisons and Indian allies, was demolished^ agreeable to general Abercrombit's instructions. Colonel Bradstreet having performed this impor- tant service, returned safely to Oswego. This was a severe blow to the cm my, whose troops to the southward were now in danger of starving ; but it is not easy to conceive the general's reason for giving orders to abandon a post so strong by nature, that ii it had been properly iortifkd and garrisoned, and the vessels preserved and kept cruising on the lake, it might have rendered the English masters of Lake Ontario, and have ter- ribly harrasscd the cr.tmj , both in their com- merce and expeditions to the westward. THE ensuing campaign was fraught with events and consequences still more important ; as the capture of Ticonderoga, had considerably facilitat- ed the operations against Fort Duquesne ; so the possession of this fortress added to the reduction oi Louisburg, and prepared the way for the final success of the Biitish and American arms. A CCOBIHNG to the plan of operations now de- cided on, the different expeditions were planned in such a manner as to assist each other. Gen^ \Voife, who had so eminently distinguished him- self at the siege of Loui^burg, was to proceed up the river St. Laurence as soon as the naviga- tion should be irct from ice, v.iiha body of eight thousand men, and a strong squadron of ships Irom England, to besiege Quebec, riiv capital of VIRGINIA; 253 Canada. General Arnherst, the corntmnder tn CHAP - chief, at the head ot twelve thousand troops, was - to reduce Ticonderoga and Crown Point, then cross Lake Champlain, and proceeding along the banks of the river Richlieu, to the river St. Lau- rence, join general Wolfe before Quebec. Bri- gadier-general Prideaux with a third body of troops, assisted by a considerable number of In- dians, assembled by the influence aid urder the command of sir Wiiliam Johnson, had orders to attack the French fort near the falls of Niagara, which commanded in a manner all the interior p:\rts of Ncrth America, aid was a key to the \\ hole continent. /\s soon as ! his fort was carried, the general was to embark on the L ike Ontario, fall down the river to St. Laurence, make him- self master of Montreal, and then join general Amherst. General Stanwix commanded a smal- ler detachment for reducing the forts on ihe Ohio, and scouring the banks of the Lake Ontario. It was imagined hat if general Prideaux 's scheme, in addition to its own end, should not facilitate either of the other two capital undertakings, it would probably, as Niagara was the most impor- tant place the French had in that part of the world, make them draw together all the troops they hid upon the lakes, to attempt its relief, which would leave the forts on those lakes exposed. In reality it had that effect. GENERAL AMHERST proceeded i mmediately to execute his part of the operations, arcl by a course of bold arid skilful mai.ceuvres, succeed- ed in gainii.g passession of the important posts of Tieoiidtroga and Crown Point, which the enemy, after a shew of resistance, hastily abandoned at his approach. having secured a superiority on the lakes, heemplo\td himstlt 'in -strengihrn- the ibrtificatiuri at Cro'.vu Puiiu, in opening 254 HISTORY OF CHAP, roads of communication between Ticonderoga, n * and the provinces of New- Hampshire and Mas- sachusetts bay, and in making dispositions for wintering his troops, so as to afford an adequate protection to the back colonies. DURING these operations, which had employ- ed the greatest part of the summer, the fate of the young hero, who had inarched against Quebec, was wholly unknown, and the public anxiety was in the utmost suspense for the fate of an expe- dition carried on at such a distance, in the centre of the French power, and where either victory or defeat, must in their const quences have been de- cisive. His communication remained open with gen. Prideaux, and by him he was informed of the defeat of the French army by general Johnson in sight of Niagara, and the consequent surrender of that important fortress. But notwithstanding this success, his progress was opposed by nu- murous and formidable difficulties ; and it re- quired all his gallant and adventurous courage, together with his skill and address, to sustain the part allotted him, in a plan so vast that the dis- tinct parts could scarcely co-operate effectually with each other, THE fleet destined for this expedition, sailed from England in the middle of February, under the command of the admirals Saundersand Holmes, who had both given evident proofs of their con- duct and courage in the service of their country. By the 21st of April they were in sight of the island of Cape Breton ; but the harbour of Lou- isburg was blockaded up with ice in such a man- ner, that they were obliged to bear away for Ha- lifax in Nova Scotia. From hence rear admiral Durell was sent with a small squadron up the ri- ver St. Laurence, as ftr as the Isle de Coudres, VIRGINIA; 255 in order to intercept any supplies that might be sent from France to Quebec. He took three small ships, besides some small craft, laden with flaur and other provisions; but had the mortification to find, that the frigates., and the transports, load- ed with provisions, had already reached that city ; and having taken possession of the island de Cau* dres, proceeded to the Isle of Orleans. Meajv- \\ hile, admiral Saunders arrived at Louisburg ; and the troops being embarked, which did not exceed seven thousand men, regulars and provin- cials, though the original plan intended, nine thousand for this expedition, exclusive of those under general Amherst, (whose assistance on the occasion was taken for granted) proceeded up the river St. Laurence without further delay. The land-forces were commanded by major-general Wolfe, whose military abilities had shone with su :h superior lustre at the siege of Louisburg ; and under him were the brigadiers Monckton, Townshend, and Murray. THE whole embarkation arrived in the latter end of June at the Isle of Orleans, about two leagues below Quebec, a large fertile island, about twenty miles in length, and between seven and eight in breadth, well cultivated, producing plen- ty of grain, and populous, without any accident whatever, notwithstanding the reports of the dan- gerous navigation of the river St. Laurence, pro- bably spread for political purposes. This island extends almost quite up to the bason of Quebec, its most westerly point advancing towards an high point of land on the continent, called Point Levi. These two points shut up the view of the north* ern and southern channels, which environ the Isle of Orleans; so that the harbour of Quebec ap- pears to be a bason land locked upon all sides. The possession of both these points was there* 256 HISTORY OF CHAP, fore absolutely necessary, as they might be em- ployed either with gnat advantage against the tew n, or much to the annojance of the besiegers ; for whilst the enemy continued masters of those, it was impossible for a ship to lie with safety in the harbour oi Quebec. General Wolfe no soon- er landed on this island than he distributed a manifesto amoi g the inhabitants imparting, that the kii.g his master, justly exasperated against France, had set on foot a considerable armament by land and sea, to humble the pride of that crown, and was determined to reduce the most considerable French settlements in America. He declared, ii was not against the industrious pea- sants and their families, nor against the ministers of religion, that he designed to make war : on the contrary, he lamented the misfortunes to which they must be exposed by the quarrel, offered them his protection, and promised to maintain them in their temporal possessions, as well as in the free exercise of their religion, provided they would remain quiet, and take no part in the difference between the two crowns, directly or indirectly; He observed, that the English being now mas- ters of the river St. Laurence, all succours from Europe must be intercepted ; and that they had besides, a powerful army on the continent, under the command of general Amherst. He affirmed, that the resolution the Canadians ought to take was neither difficult nor doubtful - } as the utmost exertion oi their valour would be useless, and only serve to deprive them of the advantages which they might reap from their neutrality. He reminded them, that the cruelties exercised by the French on the subjects of Great-Britain in America, would excuse the most severe reprisals j but Englishmen were too generous to follow such buibarous examples. He again offered them the VIRGINIA- 25 sweets of peace, amidst the horrors of war, and c ^ p left it to themselves to determine their own fate. But whatever resolution they might take, he flat- tered himself the world would do justice to his conduct, which should be regulated by the strict- est rules of justice. He concluded with laying before them, the strength and power as well as generosity of England, which thus humanely stretched out her hand to them ; a hand ready to assist them on all occasions, even when France, by her weakness, incapable of assisting, abandon- ed them in the most critical moment. THIS humane manifesto produced no effect; the Canadians thought they could place no de- pendance on the promises and sincerity of a na- tion, whom their priests had industriously repre- sented as the most savage and cruel enemy on earth. Possessed with these notions, which pre- vailed even among the better sort, they chose to abandon their habitations, and expose themselves, and their families, to certain ruin, by provoking the English with the most cruel hostilities, rather than remain quiet, and confide on the general's promise of protection. Instead of such a pru- dent conduct, the Canadians joined the scalping parties of Indians, who skulked among the woods, and falling on the English stragglers by surprize, murdered them with the most inhuman barbarity ; so that Wolfe, whose generous nature revolttd against such wanton and perfidious cruelty, after having in vain expostulated on this head with the French general, was obliged to connive at some retaliations, in order to intimidate the enemy, and effect by punishment, what the lenient hand of kindness had attempted in vain. THE conduct of Montcalm, the French com- mander in chief, did honour to his judgment; 2 I 25S HISTORY OF though his army was greatly superior to that of the English, he carefully avoided an engagement and prudently resolved to depend on the natural strength of the country, which seemed almost unsurmountable. The city of Quebec was strong, ly fortified, secured with a numerous garrison, and plentifully supplied with provisions and ammuni- tion. The troops of the colony were reinforced with five regular battalions, formed of the princi- pal inhabitants j all the Canadians in the neigh* bourhoocl capable of bearing arms, and several tribes ot Indians, were completely disciplined ; and with this army Montcalm took the field, and incamptd in a very advantageous situation, along the shore of Beaufort, between the river St. C hailt-s, and a bank ot sand of great extent, which prevents any considerable vessel from approach- ing the shore, in his front, and thick impenetra- ble woods on his rear. There never was a stronger post ; it was impossible to attack him in it, and whilst he remained there it was in his power to throw succumb into the city whenever he pleased. WOLFE saw all the difficulties that must attend his undertaking the siege of Quebec, almost in- accessible by its situation, and defended by a su- perior army ; but he knew at the same time, that he should always have it in his power to retreat, while the English squadron maintained its station in the river j nor was he without hopes of being joined by general Amherst. Receiving advice, that a detachment of the enemy, with a train of artillery, was posted at Point Levi, on the south shore, oppose the city of Quebec .he determin- ed to daslodge them before they had intrenched themselves. Accordingly he detached brigadier !:K-n v.ith four battalions, who passed the river in the night ; and next morning, after a ikirnmh with some of the enemy's irregu- VIRGINIA. krs, obliged them to quit that post, which was immediately occupied by the English*. At the same time colonel Carleton, wirh another detach, ment, took possession of the western point of the isle of Orleans, and both posts were directly for. tified, in order to anticipate the enemy, who, as has been already observed, if they had kept pos- ession of either, might have rendered it impos- sible for ships to lie at anchor within two miles of the city. Besides, Point Levi was within cannon, shot of the city ; a battery of cannon and mor- tars was of course immediately erected there, Montcalm, foreseeing the effect of this battery detached a body of sixteen hundred men across the river, to attack and destroy the works before they were compleated : but the attempt miscar- ried. The battery being finished without fur- ther interruption, a continual fire was kept up against the city with such success, that in a little time the upper town was considerably damaged, and the lower town reduced to an heap of rub* bish. In the mean while the fleet, one division of which, under admiral Saunders, was stationed * Mons. Montcalm foresaw the great advantages thst would result to us over their capital, from being possessed of Point Ltvi ; and proposed, before the English armament came up the river, that four thousand men should be strongly en- trenched here, with some cannon, and that other wot ks should also be constructed higher up the country, at ceiuin distan- ces, for the troops to retire to, in case their lines should he carried at the Point. But Mons. Vaiidreuil over-ruled this proposal in a council of war, and insisiec, that though we might demolish a tew insignificant houses with fehcjfs, yet we could not bring cannon to bear upon Quebec across the river ; and was firmly of opinion, that it wai ihtir duty to stand upon the defensive, with theii whi.Iearrm on the i < ,rlh tide of the bason, and noidir'de ihcir force en any account GO HISTORY OF CHAP, below in the north channel of the Isle of Orleans,- opposite to Montmorenci ; the other under acU miral Holmes, above the town, at once to divert the enemy's attention, and to prevent any attempts against the batteries that played against Quebec suffered great damage from a storm, which blew vyith such violence, that many of the transports ran foul of one another and were driven on shore, a number of small craft and boats foundered, se- veral of the flat- bottomed boats were rendered unfit for farther service, and divers large ships lost their anchors. The enemy, in order to take advantage of the confusion which they supposed this disaster must have occasioned, at midnight, sent down five fire ships and two rafts to destroy the fleet. The scheme, though well contrived, was happily defeated by the prudence of the En- glish admiral, and the resolution and alertness of the sailors, who resolutely towed the fire ships and rafts fast aground, where they lay burning to the water's edge, without doing the least damage to the English squadron. A second attempt of this kind was made on the very same day of the succeeding month, which proving equally ineffec- tual, the French general thought proper to lay aside his design. A i soon as the works for securing the hospital and stores were finished, the English forces cros- sed the river St. Laurence in boats, and landing under the cover of two sloops, encamped on the side of the river Montmorenci with a view of pass- ing that river, and bringing the enemy to an en- gagement. The.nezt morning a party of rangers, posted in a wood to cover some fascine makers, were attacked by the French Indians, and defeat- ed ; but the nearest troops advancing, the enemy were in thrir turn repulsed with considerable loss. The reasons that induced general Wolfe to choose VIRGINIA. 961 this situation by the falls of Mon^morenc", m C TT AP. which he was separated from Quebec by thisu :l . another river named St. Charles, were, that the ground which he had chosen was high, ar 1 in some measure commanded the opposite side where the enemy was posted : that there was a ford be- low the falls passable every tide for some hours at the latter part of the ebb and beginning of the flood ; and he was in hopes that means might be found to pass the river higher up, so as to fight Mons. Montcalm on less disadvantageous terms than directly attacking his intrenchmcnts. Ac- cordinglv, on reconnoitering the river Montmoren- ei, a ford was discovered about three miles above; but the opposite bank, which was naturally steep and covered with woods, was rendered so strong by intrenchments, as to be almost inaccessible. The escort was twice attacked by the French In- dians, who were both times repulsed ; these skir- mishes cost the English about forty men killed and wounded, including officers. Wolfe there- fore deferred his intended attack on the French army, till he had surveyed the river St. Laurence above Quebec, in hopes of discovering a place more favourable for a descent. ACCORDINGLY, the admiral, at his request, on the 18th of July, sent two men of war, two sloops, and some transports, with troops on board, up the river ; and they passed the city of Quebec, with- out sustaining the least damage. The general being himself on board this little armament, care- fully observed the banks on the side of the ene- my, which were extremely difficult from the na- ture of the ground, and the works of the enemy. Though a descent seemed impracticable between the city and Cape Rouge, where it was intended, general Wolfe, in order to divide the enemy's force, and procure intelligence, sent a detachment. 562 HISTORY OF under colonel Carleton, to land higher up at Point au Tremble, where he had been informed a good number of the inhabitants of Quebec had retired with their most valuable effects. This service was performed with little loss, though the colonel at landing met with some opposition from a bo- dy of Indians : several prisoners were brought off, but no magazine was discovered. THE general, thus disappointed in his expec- tations, returned to Montmorenci, where Briga- dier Townshend had, by maintaining a superior fire across the river, prevented the enemy from erecting a battery, which would have command- ed the English camp ; and now resolved to at- tack the French army, though posted to great advantage. As the men of war, for want of a sufficient depth of water, could not come near enough to the enemy's entrenchments, to annoy them in the least, the admiral prepared two flat bottomed arm- ed vessels, which might on occasion be run aground to favor a descent. With the assistance of these vessels, Wolfe proposed to make him- self master of a detached redoubt near the water edge, situated, according to all appearance, out of musquet shot of the enemy's entrenchments on the hill. If the French supported this work it must necessarily bring on an engagement, a cir- cumstance which he earnestly wished for ; and if they tamely beheld its reduction, he would have it in his power to examine their situation at leisure, so as to be able to determine where they might be attacked with the greatest prospect of success. Preparations were accordingly made for the at- tack ; oil the last day of July, in the forenoon, the boats of the fleet were filled with grenadiers, and part of Brigadier Monckton's brigade from Levi. The two brigades under Brigadiers VIRGINIA. 265 Townshcnd and Murray were drawn out, in or- CHAP, der to be ready to pass the lord, when judged Iir - necessary. To facilitate their passage, the admi- ral stationed the Centurion, of fifty- four guns, in the channel, to check the fire of the lower battery, which commanded the ford : a numerous train of artillery was placed upon the eminence, to en- filade the left of the enemy's entrenchments, and the two armed vessels prepared for this purpose were run aground near the redoubt, to favour the descent of the forces. The manifest confusion produced among the enemy by these previous measures, and the fire of the Centurion, which was well directed and sustained, determined the general to storm this intrenchment without fur- ther del;,;*. AT a proper time of tide the signal was made ; but in rowing towards the shore, many of the boats from Point Levi ran aground upon a ledge that runs oS* a considerable distance from the ihore ; and this accident occasioned so much time :o be lost in remedying the disorder, that Wolfe \vas obliged to stop the march of brigadier Towns- hend's corps, which he perceived to be in motion. In the mean time, the boats were floated a.'id ranged in proper order, though exposed to a .^- vere fire of shot and shells ; and the general in person, assisted by several sea o Seers, sounding the shore, pointed out the place where the troops might land with the least difficulty. Thirteen companies of granadiers, and two hundred men of the second Royal American battalion, \verc the first on shore, and obliged the enemy to aban- don the redoubt below the precipice. They had received orders to form in four distinct bodies, and begin the attack, supported by brigadier Monckton's corps, as soon as the other troops houid have passed the foid, and be near enough 264 HISTORY OF to contribute their assistance. But unfortunately the grenadiers, impatient to acquire glory, with- out waiting for any reinforcement, or forming themselves as directed, in great confusion ran up the hill, and made many efforts to gain the sum- mit, which they found less practicable than had been expected : in this situation they received a general discharge of musquetry from the enemy's breast works, which was continued without any return ; our brave soldiers reserving their fire, un- til they should reach the top of the precipice, "which was inconceivably steep : to persevere any longer they now found was to little purpose, their trdour was checked by the repeated heavy fire of the enemy, which did such execution among them, that at length they were obliged to retire in dis- order, and shelter themselves under the redoubt which the French had abandoned at their ap- proach. The general seeing the situation of af- fairs, night drawing on, and the ammunition of the army damaged by a most dreadful storm, or- dered them to retreat and form behind Monck- ton's brigade, which was by this time landed and drawn upon the beach, in good order. They ac- cordingly retreated, leaving a considerable num- ber lying on the field exposed to the barbarity of the Indians. The enemy did not attempt to pur- ue ; so the whole repassed the river without molestation, and returned to their former camp at Montmorenci. THE two armed vessels, which were aground, were burnt to prevent their falling into the ene- my's hands. The loss of our forces this day, killed, wounded, and missing, including all ranks, amounted to fcur bundled and fort) -three, among whom were two captains and two lieutenants killed 011 the spot ; colonel Burton of the forty-eighth VIRGINIA. regiment, six captains, nineteen lieutenants, and CHAP. three ensigns wounded. THE general, immediately after this mortify, ing check, detached brigadier Murray, with twelve hundred men, in transports, above the town, to co-operate with admiral Holmes, whom admiral Saunders had sent up the river, to destroy the French ships if possible. The brigadier wa's also instructed to sicze evtry opportunity of fighting the enemy's detachments. In pursuance of these directions, he twice attempted to land on the north shore ; but these attempts were unsuccess- ful : his third effort was more fortunate ; he mzide a descent at Cham baud, and burned a considera- ble magazine, filled with arms, cloathing, provi- sions, and ammunition. By the prisoners he learned that Fort Niagara had surrendered ; and discovered by intercepted letters, that the enemy having abandoned Ticonderoga and Crown Point, were retired to Isle an Noix ; and that gen. Am- herst was making preparations to pass Lake Champlain, and attack the corps commanded by Mons. BourLemaque. The enemy's ships being secured in such a manner as not to be approached, and nothing else occurring that required the bri- gadier's longer stay, he returned to the camp at Point Levi. BUT this intelligence, otherwise so pleasing, brought no prospect of any assistance from that quarter. The season wasted apace. The general fell violently ill, from care, watching, and fatigue, too great to be supported by a delicate constitu- tion, and a body unequal to the vigorous and en- terprizing soul that it lodged. His own high no- tions, the public expectation, the success of other commanders, oppressed his spirits, and convert- ed disappointment into disease. During his ill- 2K 26$ HISTORY OF ness he desired the general officers to consult to- gether for the public utility ; and it was their opinion that any farther attempts at Montmorenci were to little purpose ; and that the points Levi and Orleans being left in a proper state of defence, the rest of the troops should be conveyed up the river, and the future principal operations should be above the town, in order, if possible, to draw the enemy to an action. This measure, however, was not adopted until the general and admiral, as- sisted by the principal engineer, had reconnoiter- ed the town of Quebec, with a view to a general assault. But after a careful survey, it was unani- mously agreed that such an attack was imprac- ticable : for though the men of war might have silenced the batteries of the lower town, they could not affect the upper works, from which they must have sustained considerable damage. The camp of Montmorenci was therefore broke up, and the troops encamped at Point Levi. The squadron under admiral Holmes made movements up the river for several days successively, in or. der to amuse the enemy posted on the north shore. ON the 5th and 6th of September, the general emb irked the forces ; but the transports being extremely crowded, and the weather bad, one Ivalf of the troops were landed for refreshment on the south shore. As soon as matters were ripe for action t he directed admiral Saunders to make a feint with his squadron, as if he proposed to at- tack the French in their entrenchments on the Beauport shore, below the town, and by his mo- tions to give this feint all the appearance of reali- ty possible. This disposition being made below the town, Wolfe embarked his forces about one in the morning, and admiral Holmes's division sailed three leagues further up the river than the VIRGINIA; 257 place where he intended toland* in order to conceal CH AP. his real design. He then embarked the troops, _ and fell do\vn silently with the tide ; but by the " rapidity of the current, and the darkness of the night, the boats were carried a little below the in- tended place of attack. The ships followed them, and arriving just at the time that had been concert- ed, to cover their landing* the troops were disem- barked without loss, o/indeed the knowledge of the enemy. THIS remarkable success was, in some mea- sure, owing to the following accident : two French deserters had been carried the evening before on board the English fleet, and from them the general learned, that the garrison expected that night to receive a convoy of provisions in boats, from the detachment above the town, commanded by Mons. Bougainville. The knowledge of this circum. stance was of the utmost consequence, and tend- ed to deceive the centinels posted along-shore to challenge boats and vessels, and give an alarm, if necessary. The first English boat being ques- tioned accordingly, captain Donald M' Donald, of Eraser's Highland regiment, who was perfect- ly acquainted with the French language, answer- ed without hesitation, to their challenging word, 3>ui ij a la ? (Who is there) La France. When the centinel asked, Au quel regiment? (To what regiment do you belong ?) The captain replied, De la Rime, (To the queen's) which he acciden- tally knew to be one of those that were under the command of Bougainville. The soldier took it for granted that this was the expected convoy, and allowed the boats to proceed, without further interruption. The other Gentries were deceived in the same manner ; though one more wary than the rest, ran down to the water's edge, and called, Pour quoincparlez wnsplus haut? (Why don't) ou HISTORY Of speak with an audible voice ?) To this question, which implied doubt, the captain answered with admirable presence of mind, in a low voice, Tais tois 9 nous scrons entendues, (Hush ! we shall be overheard, and discovered). Thus cautioned, the centinel retired without further altercation. As the troops could not be landed at the place intended, when they gained the shore; an high precipice appeared before them, extremely steep, and almost perpendicular. A little path winded up this ascent, so narrow that two persons could not go a-breast; and even this path, by which alone the forces could possibly reach the summit, was strongly intrenched, and defended by a captain's guard. Such great difficulties did not abate the hopes of the general, or the ardour of the troops. Colonel Howe's light infantry, laying hold of stumps and boughs of trees, pulled themselves up, dislodged the enemy, and cleared the path ; then gained the top of the hill, without further interruption, and as fast as they ascended formed themselves ; so that the whole army was in order of battle by day- break, Mo N T c A "L M, when the news was brought him, could scarcely credit the report ; but still belie v- ed it to be a feint, to induce him to abandon that strong post, which had been the object of all the real attempts that had been made since the begin- ning of tile siege. But no sooner was he unde- ceived, and found that the English army had re- ally gained the Heights of Abraham, which in a manner commanded the town of Quebec on its weakest part, *han he determined to risk a battle ; and according!}' quitted his intrenched camp, and having collected his whole force from the side of Beauport, marched towards the English army, Xvithout delay. VIRGIN! 2 GENERAL WOLFE, perceiving the enemy CHAP, crossing the river St. Charles, began to form his ,.. ,,^'-, own line, which consisted of six battalions and the Louisbonrg grenadiers ; the right command- ed by brigadier Monckton, and the left by briga- dier Murray. Colonel Howe, who was just re- turned with his light infantry from taking a four- gun battery, was posted in the rear of the lef r . M. de Montcalm advancing in such a manner as shewed his intention was to ilank the left of the English, brigadier Townshend was ordered thi- ther with Amherst's regiment, which he formed e.n potency presentinga double front to the enemy : he was afterwards reinforced with two battalions, and the reserve, consisting of one regiment, form- ed in eight sub-divisions, with large intervals, was posted behind the right. The right wing of the enemy was composed of half their colony troops, two battalions of regulars, and a body of Cana- dians and savages : their center consisted of a column formed by two other regular battalions; and their left of one battalion, with the rest of the colony troops : the bushes and corn-fields in their front were lined with fifteen hundred of their best marksmen, who kept up an irregular galling fire, which proved fatal to many brave of- ficers, thus singled out for destruction. This fire was indeed in some measure checked by the ad- vanced posts of the English line, who picqueer- ed with the enemy for some hours before the bat- tle began. Both armies were almost entirely destitute of artillery ; the French having only two pieces, and the English two six- pounders, which the seamen had with great difficulty drawn up from the landing-place ; but these were extreme- ly well served, and galled their column severely, obliging them to alter their disposition. 270 HISTORY OF CHAP. ABOUT ten in the morning the enemy ad vane- ed briskly to the charge hi three columns, two of them inclining towards the left of our army, and the third to our right, firing obliquely at the two extremities of our line, from the distance of one hundred and thirty yards, until they came within forty yards, which our troops withstood with the greatest intrepidity and firmness, reserving their fire. This uncommon steadiness, together with the havock which the grape-shot from our field- pieces made amongst them, threw them into some disorder. The English, who had been or- dered to load with double ball, now poured in a terrible .discharge, and continued their fire with such deliberation and spirit, that the enemy im- mediately gave way, and fled with precipitation. General Wolfe himself was stationed on the right, at the head of Bragg's regiment and the Louis- bourg grenadiers, where the attack was warm- est, and standing conspicuous, in the very front of the line, had been aimed at by the enemy's marksmen, and at last received a shot in the wrist, which did not oblige him, however, to quit the field. Having wrapped an handkerchief round his arm, he continued giving orders with- out the least emotion, and advanced at the head of the grenadiers, with their bayonets fixed, when another ball unfortunately pierced the breast of this young hero*, just as the enemy gave way, * \Vhen the general was carried off wounded to the rear m the front line, he desired those who were about him to lay him down ; being asked if he would have a surgeon ? he re- plied, " It is needless, it is all over with me." An officer present cried out, " They run, see how they run." " Who run ?" demanded our hero, with great earnestness, like a ;>rrson roused from sleep ! The officer answered, " The en- emy, Uir,egad> they give way every where." Whereupon the VIRGINIA. 271. and victory was crowning all his labours with sue- CHAP, cess. General Monckton, the next in command, In> fell immediately after, and was conveyed out of the line. While the right and center of the front line pressed on with their bayonets, the Highland- ers with their broad- swords, supported by the 58th regiment, fell on the enemy with irresisti- ble impetuosity, and drove them with great slaugh- ter into the town, and the works they had raised at the bridge, over the river St. Charles. The action was less violent on the left and rear of the English. Some of the light-infantry had thrown themselves into houses, where being attacked, they defended themselves with great courage and resolution, being supported by colonel Howe, who taking post with two companies behind a small copse, and frequently sallying out on the flanks of the enemy during their attack, often drove them into heaps, while brigadier Towns- bend advanced platoons against their front ; so that the right wing of the French was totally pre- vented from executing their first intention. The brigadier himself remained with Amherst's re- giment, to support this disposition, and over- awe a body of Indians posted opposite the light- infantry, waiting for an opportunity to fall on the rear of die English army. GENERAL WOLFE being slain, and general Monckton dangerously wounded, the command of course devolved on general Townshend, who, general rejoined, " What do the cowards run already ? Go- one of you, my lads, to colonel Burton tell him to march Webb's regiment with all speed, down to Charles River, to cut off the retreat ot the fugitives from the bridge." Then turning on his side, he added, " Now, God be praised, I will die in peace ;" and thus expired. 072 HISTORY OF CHAP, upon this information, hastened to the center, anci formed the troops again, that were somewhat dis- " ordered in the pursuit, with all possible expediti- on. He had scarce performed thisnecessaiy du- ty, before Mons. Bougainville, with a body of two thousand fresh men, appeared in the rear of the English army. He had marched from Cape Rouge the moment he received advice that the English troops had gained the Heights of Abraham ; but did not arrive time enough to have any share in the action. GENERAL TOWNSHEND immediately ordered two battalions, with two pieces of artillery, to ad- vance against this officer ; but he retired among the woods and swamps, the general prudently de- clined pursuing. He had already gained a com- plete victory, taken a great number of French of- ficers, and was in possession of a very advantage- ous situation, which it would have been highly imprudent to hazard for the sake of defeating Bougainville's detachment. Mons. de Montcalni was mortally wounded in the battle, and convey- ed to a convent of Augustine nuns, about a rniie from Quebec ; from whence, before he died, he \vrote a letter to general Townshehd, recommend- ing the prisoners to that generous humanity which distinguishes the British nation. Mons. de Sene- fergue, and Mons. de St. OUTS, the two next in command, were also slain. About a thousand of the enemy were made prisoners, including a great number of officers ; and about eight hundred were killed in the action. The shattered remains oj" their army, after having reinforced the garrison of Quebec, retired to Point an Tremble, from whence they continued their retrtat to Jacques Quartier, where they remained intrenched till the severity of the weal her forced them to make the _st of their way to Trois Rivieres and Montreal VIRGINIA, 273 THIS important victory, though gained at the CHAP, expence of only sixty-one men killed, including nine officers ; and of five hundred and ninety eight wounded, was dearly bought. The death of ge- neral Wolf was a national loss, and universally la- mented : soldiers may be raised, officers will be formed by experience, but the loss of a genius in war is not easily repaired. By nature formed for military greatness, his memory was retentive, his judgment deep, and his comprehension surpris- ingly quick, clear, and extensive ; his constituti- onal courage not only uniform and daring, perhaps to an extreme, but he possessed also that higher species of it, a strength, steadiness and activity of mind, which no difficulties or dangers could deter. Generous, gentle, friendly, affable, and humane, he was the pattern of the officer, and the darling of the soldier ; his sublime genius soared above the pitch of ordinary minds ; and had his facul- ties been exercised to their full extent, by oppor- tunities and action, and his judgment been fully ripened by age and experience, he would have rivalled the most celebrated heroes of antiquity. IN every other quarter the war wa* equally sue- cessful. Altho' the great commoner had resign- ed in disgust, be left behind him his vast pro- jects for the humiliation of the house of Bourbon. They were every where in operation, both on the land and the water, and notwithstanding the great projector \vas out of the way, they proceeded tor a time on the momentum which he hael commu- nicated. Spain had been added to the list of her enemies, but a series of disasters evinced the inadequacy of the united Bourbons, to cope with the genius and fortune of Britain, and preliminaries were at length signed and interchanged at Fontain- bleau, in the beginning: of November, 1762, be* 2L 274 HISTORY OF tween the ministers of Great Britain, France^ Spain, and Portugal. THUS ended a war, whose successes raised the British nation to the very pinnacle of human great- ness. The cession of Canada, with all that part of Louisiana, which is situated to the east of the great river Mississippi ; together with Cape Bre- ton and the other islands in the gulph and river of St. Laurence ; of Grenada and the Grenadines in the West Indies, together with the neutral islands, Dominique, Vincents, and Tobago ; Senegal guaranteed to Britain in Africa; the renuncia- tion by France of all her acquisitions on the coast of Coromandel, and her stipulation, not to erect for- tifications in any part of the kingdom of Bengal in Europe ; the restoraion of Minorca by the same power, and her consent to the demolition of the harbor and fortifications of Dunkirk ; The cession bv Spain, and guarantee in full right of East and West Florida, and all her other possessions to the East and South east of the Mississippi ; her re- lirquishment of right to fish on the banks of New Foundland, and her admission of the English claim to cut logwood on the coast of Honduras, present a croud of brilliant and useful trophies, which have rarely if ever been exceeded. Justice alone was wantingto secure those great ad vantages, Happy for Britain too happy had it been, if the fruits of so many victories had been used with a moderation equal to the valor and wisdom by which they had been atchieved. Her subsequent conduct exhibits another melancholy fact in sup- "f the opinion that states and empires Jike in- 'uals, have their points of elevation and de- pression, and that having attained their zenith, they VIRGINIA. 275 are fated to measure back their way to the nadir of feebleness and decrepitude.* * The military operations in Canada have been taken ver- batim from Wynne. The portion of narrative thus borrow* ed is small ; I have ventured on it, notwithstanding, wiih uneasiness and reluctance. It is certainly matter not neces* sarily connected with the History of Vinrinia : but tor good sense and conciseness it is not easy to dad au authority su- perior to Wynn*. CHAPTER IV. State of America after the peace opinions enter-* 1 ained of the powers of the British pailiamerti external and internal 'axes. Mr. Grenville^ resolutions respecting addition il duties his fa- mous declaratory resolution. Its reception in Bri- ta'm it excites the utmost alarm hi the colonies spirited resolutions of the American provinces Mr. Grenville^s celebrated stamp tax a r %umenfs of the minority on it it excites the highest indignation and most determined opbos'tion in the colonies spirited resolution of Patrick Henry in the Virginia Assem- bJ v Governor dissolves the Assembly mem- #<>r? re-elected almost unanimously Several other colonies adobt similar resolutions Mas- sachusetts assembly recommend a general con- gress $f)i*it and ability of neivs -paper dis- cussions stamp officers compelled to resign col. Mercer, his disinterested behaviour congress at N. Tork their declaration of rights and grie- vances their petition to the king and memorials to the two houses of parliament congress recom- mend the appointment of special agents Riots in the towns Administration changed New mi- nistry favorable to the American claims Circu- lar letter of General Conway to the American Governors Proceedings in the British Parlia- ment Stamp act repealed- Joy in America, produced by this event Chas. Toivnsend's boast vf raising an American revenue This revenue to be appropriated to the payment of the CHAP. of government This act is opposed in America Several able political tracts, discuss its consti- tutionality Proceedings of the Massachusetts Assembly Their circular letter to the other co- lonies Virginia proceedings Assembly^ letter to Massachusetts Lctttcr of Hillsborough-* Answer of the Massachusetts Legislature to the Larl of Hdlsborough Assembly dissolved Seizure of the doop Libtrty Riot in Boston l\c'venue officers take refuge, on board the Rom- ney Town meeting Death of governor Fau- quier His character John Blair, President of council He unites with the council and House of ttitrgess In their petition to the King In their memorial to the house of Lords and their remonstrance to the house oj Commons Lord Botetourt Governor His patriotic conduct His assurances to Virginia Finds himself de- ceived by the court L. Ins recall His deatk and character High testimony of the regrets of the Colony at this event , and their sense of his faithful administration Wm. Nel- son, i' resident IVarm supporter of American liberty Lord Dunmore arrives Assembly - Their remonstrance against fees His Lord- ship's mild and conciliatory answer Inroads oj the Indians Their confederacy and defeat at faint Pleasant. 278 CHAPTER IV. CHAP. IV. MaMBIH State of America after the peace. THE last asra exhibited the dawn of genius, We are now approaching its meridian. That sera was the cradle of the American rfercules : this exhibits him in his might and his beauty, rend- ing the chains of the oppressed and crushing the sceptre of the oppressor. Henceforth every thing that is glorious in action ; that is sublime in morals, will be familiar. Justness of design, cor- rect conception, elevation of sentiment, honor, virtue, courage, genius, and ofcen the concurrence of them all : Such are the properties of this splen- did cera. What can be more august, more an object of admiration, than the spectacle of virtu- ous exiles driven from the haunts of civilized life into the howling wilderness, by the hand of oppression ; starting all at once into manhood by a sort of preternatural agency : although divided by a thous andlocalinterests and prejudices, uniting like chemical affinities for their mutual defence. What can be more extraordinary than to see those children of yesterday reading lessons of wisdom to the wisdom of the earth ; unfolding the repre- sentative system in the midst of the waste ; con- founding the malice and the power of their enemy by their wisdom and courage, and raising up alii- ances amongst the kings and nations of the earth ; producing orators, poets, heroes, statesmen, phi- losophers, and realizing by their manners and ac- tions the history of antient sages. HISTORY OF 279 IN the preceding zeras we saw the colonies fight- CHAP. ing without a concert, and struggling separately against their savage neighbours, assisted by the power of France. We saw them driven into an union by a sense of common danger and interest, and contending bravely and successfully in con- junction with the fleets and armies of the mother country. But still the union was incomplete, and after the subjugation of their rival they would in a short time relapse into their former jealousy and separation ; and the policy of the mother coun- try would encourage their repugnance to union, as the means of concealing from them the alarm- ing secret of their strength. IN fact so early as 1753, as has been already shewn, a plan of union was drafted with the view to an effectual co-operation of the colonies in mat- ters of mutual defence, and that, notwithstanding the alarming power with which the executive ma- gistrate of this general government was clothed, it was rejected by Great- Britain. It was rejected by the colonies at the same time, for the better rea- son, that it had a tendency by its concentration of authority in the president general to diminish the power of the legislatures. But notwithstanding these jealousies, the attachment of the colonies to the mother country was universal. IN place of this instrument of government, it was proposed by the minister that the colonial governors with one or two members of the coun- cils of the respective provinces, should assemble to consult and resolve on measures necessary for the common defence, and should draw on the British treasury for the sums to be expended, which sums were to be afterwards raised by a general tax, to be imposed by parliament on the colonies. But this would have been an union of the creatures of government ; and the project of taxation by a par- 280 VIRGIN! CHAP, liament, where the colonies were not represented, * v - was in direct opposition to ail the long established habits and ieelings of the colonists. IN this state the question slept, it having been deemed impolitic to shock the prejudices of the colonies by any discussions supposed to affect their rights in the midst of a war, which shook to its center the British power in N. America. The colonies were left to their own judgment and liberality in adjusting the quantum of their sup- plies; and their conduct on this occasion afforded complete evidence that they might have been safe- ly trusted with the power. Even the mother coun- try bore testimony to the r>oble ardor and generous profusion of her children, and refunded to them from the royal treasury large sums admitted to have been advanced by their legislatures at vari- ous times, exceeding their means and beyond their proportion.* IT vvas owing to this generous zeal on one side, and this apparent regard to justice and equity on * In the month of February 1756, the Film of 115,000& was voted by parliament as a free gift and reward to thr co- lonies of New-England, New- York, and Nevv-Jt r?ey,for their past services, and as an encouragement to continue to exert themselves wuh vigor. Muy 1757, 50,0007. was in like man- ner to the Carolinians, and in !753, 41.000/. to Masb,rlui- setts and Connecticut, April 1759, 200,000/. WHS vot . d 'o the respective colonies in N. America; Mwich 17CO, 200,(. (;()/. 1761, 200.000/. 1762, 133.000/. 1763, 133000/. in ;-ii one million seventy two thousand pounds; exclusive 'oucver of these indemnifications, and of the extraordinary FV, granted in the- different colon';.:! assemblies, a debt oi' ab ve two millions and a half had been incurred by America dur- ing the war, and this debt was far from bvin^ a* yet liqni- dated, but it might be inferred from the conduct ! :hep ient ministry, that the must ttivial revenue extorKd from Ame* rica was deemed preferable to llrj largest sums fretjy un4 voluntarily i^runted. VIRGINIA, the other, that the ties of affection were drawn closer between the parent state and her colonies ; and that they were enabled at the close of the They had often, too, by their valour saved the regular troops from extermination, and averted those fatal consequences, which were to be ap- prehended from the incapacity of the cabinet and the blind presumption of the officers they had ap- pointed to execute their rash and ill-advised pro- jects. BUT these considerations, however solid, had no \\ tight. Resolute in their plans, they looked only to one side of the subject, and regarded as a pernicious and v icked heresy any attempt to de- ny their right, or even to doubt their authority. PURSUANT to this opinion, several resolutions passed in the commons at the instance of the mi- nister, imposing new duties on foreign goods im- poited into the British colonies in America. These acts, although of a tendency to wound the interest of the colonies, being regarded as matters of mere regulation, attracted no particu- lar attention in parliament. But it soon appeared that these acts were intended to cover designs of a more fatal and formidable import. In introducing this project, even the minister paused, as if ap- palled b) a presentiment of the calamities with which it was fraught. His resolution was merely declaratory, " that it would be proper to impose certain stamp duties in the said colonies and plan, tations, for the purpose of raising an American revenue, payable into the British exchequer." THE execution of this project, by reason of its declared importance, was adjourned until the ensuing year; and time was thus afforded to the good genius of the- country to step in and arrest its fatal and destructive progress. FAR different was its reception in that country which was the immediate object of this operation. The declaratory resolution was a phenomenon VIRGINIA. 291 that immediately attracted every eye and filled ever} 7 bosom \vith apprehension ; animated by the collision of opinion, discussion walked ceemtis n abroad with the port and stature of eloquence, America, and the feature and countenance of conviction. Nor was the public attention exclusively confined to the declaratory resolution : It passed by a na- tural transition to the additional duties, which from the matter of the regulations, as well as the obnoxious mode adopted for their enforcement and execution, was regarded as a severe and in- tolerable hardship. A LUCRATIVE traffic had been carried on, particularly by the northern colonies, with the French and Spanish colonies, the duties on which having been justly regarded as inimical to the true interests of commerce, had been winked at by the government. It was known that a consi- derable portion of the current specie of the co- lonies was procured from these sources, and th-.it the greatest part of it would ultimately find its way into Britain in discharge of their mercan- tile engagements. Of this trade, so necessary to the credit of the colonies, so profitable to the mother country, the additional duties would amount to an absolute prohibition ; and if as here- tofore > they attempted to evade the payment of duties so justly obnoxious, it was necessary to encounter rthe rigorous scrutiny of a swarm of revenue officers, whose interest was intimately connected with their vigilance and severity, and to pass through a variety of forms so complex and distressing as to render this trade, formerly so lucrative, an object of indifference. BUT the declaratory resolution was justly con- sidered as the main object of public attention. In it, was involved the constitutional question, and as the decision would equally affect tiie royal 92 HISTORY OF CHAP, and proprietary governments, the barriers whicl local prejudices and commercial competition had erected, instantly tumbled down, and the American people entered at once into one vast arena for the purpose of mutual defence arid national concert FROM this moment the history of one province is the history of all, unless the historian chooses to become the frigid annalist of partial events, when he is surrounded by the most brilliant phe- nomena, and walks in the midst of actions which shake the world to its centre. SEVERAL of the provincial legislatures trans- mitted petitions to the king, and memorials to both houses of parliament, couched in respectful but animated terms, against the projected sta- tute. The assembly of Massachusetts instructed their agent in London not only to protest against the passage of the stamp act, or any other act of a similar nature, but to solicit the repeal of the obnoxious duties, on the ground of their being eminently prejudicial to the true interests of the colonies and the mother country. Private asso- ciations were formed at the same time in various places, with the view of diminishing the use of British and encouraging that of American manu- factures. THE administration having unexpectedly en- countered this alarming opposition, attempted to gain the object by means less calculated to ex- cite offence and alarm, but which should be equally decisive of the principle contended for, and which might afterwards be brought into a precedent. With this view the agents of the co- lonies in London were informed that they were at liberty of adopting any other mode more agreeable for raising the sum demanded.* It was also pro- * ioo,ooo/. VIRGINIA. 203 posed that they would be permitted to plead nt CHAP, the bar of the house by counsel, contrary to the r ^~ Si - usual parliamentary practice, against the tax in Cond;- behalf of their respective colonies ; but these the n pretended concessions \vere spurned at by the strjr * agents as derogatory to the rights and honour of the colonies, who would not on this occasion petition but protest. It was urged by them that the claim of England was not only lt absolutely novel, but diametrically opposite to the spirit and letter of the English constitution, which has estabii- a fundamental axiom, that taxa- tion is inseparably attached to representation ; that as the colonies were not, and from local and political obstacles could not, be represented in the British parliament, it would be of the very essence of tyranny to attempt to exercise an an- thority over them, which from its very nature must lead to gross and inevitable abuse. For when Great Britain was in full possession of t power now contended for. could it possibly be imagined, when a sum of money for the supply of the exigencies of government was wanting, that the British parliament would not rather choose to vote that it should be paid by the colo- nists thin 1 ives and their constituents ? " IN reply to the argument which stated as highly reasonable, that America shov. ^ri- bute her proportion to the general expense of the empire, it was said, " that America had never been deficient in contributing, at the constituti- onal requisition of the crown, in her r T TI- blies, to the utmost of her ability, towards the expenses of the wars in which conjointly with England she had been involved ; that, in the course of the last memorable contest, large sums had been repeatedly voted by parliament, as an indemnification to the colonies HISTORY OF which were allowed to be disproportionate to their means and resources ; that the proper com- pensation to Britain for the expense of rearing and protecting her colonies was the monopoly of this trade, the absolute direction and regu- lation of which was universally acknowledged to be inherent in the British legislature." It was, however, clearly intimated that a specific sum, in lieu of all other claims, nrght be ob- tained from the colonies, if accepted as a vo- luntary offering, not as a revenue extorted by ty- rannical and lawless force, which left them no merit in giving, and which might ultimately leave them nothing to give. THE argument or pretext which appeared to excite most indignation in the breast of the Americans and of their advocates, was that which affected to deem them already represented ; and as being, if not actually, yet virtually included in the general system of representation, in the same manner as that very large proportion of the inhabitants of the British island who have no votes in the election of members or repre- sentatives in the British parliament. " The ve- ry essence of representation,* said America, :t consists in this, that the representative is him- self placed in a situation annlagous to those whom he represents, so that he shall be himself bound by the laws which he is entrusted to enact, and liable to the taxes which he is authorised to "impose. This is precisely the case with regard to the national representation of Britain. Those who do, and those who do not elect, together with the elected body themselves, arc, m re- spect to this grand and indispensable requisite, f> either m. VIRGINIA. 295 upon a perfect equality ; that the laws made and CHAP. the taxes imposed extend alike to all. Whtre ^ then in this case is the danger of oppression, or " where the inducement to oppress? But in the case of American taxation,, these mock represent- atives actually relieve themselves in the very same proportion that they burden those whom they ialsely and ridiculously pretend to repre- sent. Where then in this case is the security against oppression ? or where is the man so weak and prejudiced as not to sec the irresistible ten- Arguments dency of this system to oppression, however ho- of colonists nest and upright candour would represent the in- ^? t ainst lh tentions of those by whom it should be origi- nally established ?" BUT these arguments, clear and convincing as they must appear at this day, produced not the slightest change in the determination of minis- ters ; and the parliament, which had been con- vened at the usual period of the ensuing winter, having first unanimously concurred in refusing to hear any memorials from the colonies that questioned their jurisdiction, passed into a law the famous stamp act by large majorities, and it immediately after received the royal assent. THIS act, although carried by triumphant ma- jorities, was assailed by an ardour and eloquence uncommonly resplendent and animated. The right indeed was questioned but in a single in- stance ; the virtuous name of Con way, however, rendered this simple protest respectable. Its in- justice and inexpedience became the themes of more elevated and copious declamation. COLONEL BARRE, a speaker of distinguished eminence, in reply to the observation of Char: Tovvnshendon the ingratitude of the Americans, where he calls them children planted by our care and nourished by our indulgence, broke out into 296 HISTORY OF the following lofty strain of indignant eloquence ; li Children planted by your care! No! your op- pression planted them in America. They fled from your tyranny into a then uncultivated land, where they were exposed to all the hardships to which human nature is liable, and among others, to the savage cruelty of the enemy of the country, a people the most subtle, and, I will take upon me to say, the most terrible that ever inhabited any part of God's earth. And yet, actuated by principles of true English liberty, they met all these hardships with pleasure, com- pared with those they suffered in their own coun- iry from those who should have been their friends. " They nourished by your indulgence!" * No! they grew by your neglect. When you began to care about them, that care was exercised in send- ing persons to rule over them, who were the de- puties of some deputy sent to spy out their li- berty, to misrepresent their actions, and to prey upon them : Men, whose behaviour on many oc- casions has caused the blood of those sons of li- berty to recoil within them : Men promoted to the highest seats of justice, some of whom were glad, by going to a foreign country, to escape being brought to the bar of justice in their own. ' ^1 hey protected by your attns !" " They have nobly taken up arms in your defence ; have ex- erted their valour, amidst their constant and la- borious industry, for the defence of a country, the interiour of \\hich, while its frontiers were drenched in blood, hr.s yielded all its little sav- :o 3*011 r enlargement. Hellene me remember ; I t/iis doy told you so ; tJic same spirit which ac- tuated that people at first , still continues with t/ t c n : l;ut prudence foi bids me to explain myself further. God knows, I do not at this time speak frcni party heat. However superior to me in ge^ VIRGINIA, 297 nerai knowledge and experience any one here may CHAP. be, I claim to know more of America, having seen and been conversant in that country. The people there are as truly loyal, I believe, as any subjects the king has ; but a people jealous of their liberties, and who will vindicate them if they should be violated : But the subject is de- licate 1 will say no more." IN America this opposition to the statute was of a more perilous and awful nature. Roused by the declared intention of parliament to tax the colonies, the people passed rapidly from appre- hension to resentment ; from resentment to rage and indignation. A hope, however, generally prevailed that the obnoxious declaration would not be able to stand its ground against the unani- mous protest of the American people. In this state of gloomy suspense, public sentiment rest- ed like a cloud highly charged with electric mat- ter, and from whose sides the slightest agitation would elicit the thunder and forked lightening. THE passage of this hateful statute burst at once the dark and portentous cloud which for some time had been collecting there, into the most violent expressions of rage and indignation. The vessels in the harbour of Boston hung out their colours half mast high as an emblem of the public distress, and the most gloomy determina- tion. It was the emblem of death and spoke more forcibly than words, the most fearful despe- ration. , Muffled bells, by their hollow sounds and tedious pauses, tended still farther to keep alive these funereal associations. Sensations like these rendered the soul familiar with images of death, and insensibly raised it into the region of terror and sublimity. Every object that met the senses nourished those impressions. Their wives 2O 298 HISTORY OF CHAP, and children and parents were threatened with unmerited injuries ; with slavery, ten thousand times worse than death. THE act itself, the hated instrument of so many calamities, was seized on the first moment of its appearance, and burnt by the populace with the effigies of its most active supporters. 4 ' The mas- ters of those vessels which had conveyed the stamps to America were compelled to deliver up their execrated cargoes to an enraged multitude, \vho treated them with the same ignominy which the act itself had experienced. Those who had accepted commissions to act as distributors of stamps, were forced by public oath to renounce all concern in them at this or any future juncture ; and in some instances the houses of those who were most obnoxious were demolished, and their effects plundered or destroyed. The justices of the peace in many parts gave public notice, that they would never by acting in that Capacity, be instrumental to the subversion of their country's liberties ; the gentlemen also of the law, fired by the same patriotic enthusiasm, universally re- nounced, in the exeicise of their profession, the use of the British stamps. But the most alarm- ing opposition was made by the merchants, who entered into solemn engagements not to import any more goods from Great Britain till the stamp act was repealed. By the first of November, (1765), the day on which the act was to take place, not a sheet of stamped paper was to be found throughout the colonies ; so that all busi- ness which could not be legally carried on with- out stamps was entirely at a stand. Every where the courts of justice were shut, and the porU closed."* * Eckham. VIRGINIA. 299 DURING these tumults not the slightest exer- CHAP, tion was made by the colonial governments to re- _ ___ press or allay the public ferment ; nor did the least apprehension of any such interference exist among the people. They were in their estima- tion sanctioned by God and the constitution of their country ; the bands that had heretofore up- held the edifice of government, were all at once snapt by the brutal violence of their oppressors, and it would have been equally stupid and wicked in them to have waited until the yoke had been fastened on their necks : They had the approba- tion of their own consciences, and of every thing that was dear and venerable in their country. THE assembly of Virginia was in session when the passage of the stamp act was announced, and their proceedings exhibited a noble proof of their steady adherence to the maxims of their ances- tors, and their ardour in the cause of American liberty. IT appears that notwithstanding the prevalence of correct opinions on politics in Virginia, a strong minority, styling themselves the friends of government, continued to keep their ground in the legislature. This party, composed in gene- ral of the great landed proprietors, by acting in concert were always able to embarrass and some- times to defeat the measures oi the patriots. Disgusted by the studied delays and insidious so- phistry of this class during the preceding session, Johnson declared his intention of bringing into the assembly Patrick Henry, a young lawyer distin- guished alike for an eloquence copious and over- bearing, and an opposition to the claims of the British parliament bordering on sedition. Con- formably with this declaration, the seat of Mr. Johnson was purposely vacated, and young Hen- ry, by the influence of his friend, became a 300 HISTORY OF CHAP. IV. Patrick Henry. member for the county of Louisa in the assem- bly of 1765, So many of the succeeding events are con- nected with the life of this extraordinary man, th\t it will not be thought unseasonable to notice some of the steps by which he rose from obscu- rity to public estimation and consequence. They will throw light on some events, which have been but slightly touched, or wholly omitted ; and will perhaps illustrate a series of political transactions, which would otherwise be with difficulty under- stood. PATRICK HE NRT, the son of a Scotch gentle* man of the same name, was born in the county of Hanover. His mother was a Virginian of the respectable family of the Winstones, whose standing in society, added to the learning of his father, had the effect of securing our patriot from those vulgar propensities which, owing to the vice of aristocratic institutions, are but too often entailed on the offspring of poverty. HE soon became a tolerable proficient in the Latin language, and in the elements of geogra- phy : But his favourite studies were the history and antiquities of his native state ; and so strong was the determination of his mind to objects at this time little known or attended to, that at an early age he was minutely acquainted with the va- rious grants and charters, which compose the foundation and edifice of the rights and preten- sions of Virginia. O wi N c to the security arising from long and uninterrupted possession, and the apprehensions excited by foreign hostility, these rights were but imperfectly understood, and to his superiour knowledge in topics gradually becoming more in- teresting, should be ascribed in a great measure the high and deserved reputation he afterward* VIRGINIA. 301 acquired. In the prosecution of these studies he had, however, co encounter long and habitual fits of indolence. Whilst these lasted he was wont to solace himself with the charms of music, to which he w,.s passionately devoted, and in which he was no mean proficient. But the dread of dependence and the ^pur of ambition, at length recalled him from this lethargy, and he was esta- blished by the advice and aid of his family in a small store* in his native county. IT will be readily imagined that propensities and attainments such as have been described, were not well calculated to secure commercial emi- nence to their possessor. Young Henry was un- fortunate, and acting now on his own lessons of a short but useful experience, and set on by the workings of an active and ardent ambition, he turned hi* eye towards the profession of the law, as presenting the shortest and safest road to ho- aolument. He found the less difficul- ty in gaining the approbation of his friends to this project, who had marked for some in com- mon with his acquaintance, the extraordinary prematurity of his genius ; and after a single month's study, during which time he read with attention Coke upon Littleton and an abridgement of the law of Virginia, heobtainedalicer.se. His first essay realized the partial expectation of his friend j. On every occasion where acute- ness of thought, a grasp and originality of judg- ment and fancy were called for, he displayed powers before unknown in Virginia, and esta- blished beyond dispute his great superiority over all his competitors. In close and compact rea- soning; in laborious research; in scientific at- * Shap, officina. 302 HISTORY OF CHAP, tainmcnts, he had many equals, and some supe- 1V> riors ; but in the forms and manner of eloquence he was superior to them all. HITHERTO his talents had been exerted only in cases originating in private litigation. He had never measured his strength with any great pub- lic question, where the soul of the orator commu- nicating its fire to its hearers exhibits the splen- did phaenomena of popular eloquence. An oc- casion like this was wanting for his display of constitutional law, where lay his principal strengths To this his wishes were constantly directed, un - til they were at length gratified in a manner most flattering to his fame and fortune. THE Assembly of Virginia had fixed the sala- ry of her ministers of religion at 16,000 weight of tobacco. Owing to the arts of an extrava- gant speculator of the name of Dickenson, this commodity rose on a sudden from 16s. and Sd. per cwt. to 50s. and a law was immediately enact- ed that the parishioners might pay their dues to their ministers at 2d. per pound, thereby autho- rising them to save themselves the difference be- tween 16s. and 8d. and 50s. THIS act, styled by its enemies in derision the two-penny-act, was contested by the clergy with all the violence which has invariably distinguish- ed their defence of their own privileges. Camm, a professor of William and Mary, had written a pamphlet against it, and he, with several other ministers had instituted suits against their respective vestries for the recovery of those dues, of which they alledged they had been de- frauded contrary to law. With the great body of the people the act was popular, and from this we should perhaps infer that independent of any ad- vantage they might derive from curtailing their -Avenues, they were secretly pleased with an oc- VIRGINIA, $05 oasion cf mortifying a class of men, who unfor- CHAP. tunately in all countries, have been distinguished IV V less for piety and forbearance than for arrogance and ambition. AMONGST the rest, Mr. Henry, tke uncle of our orator, had brought suit against his parish, and had retained the ablest counsel in Virginia. The nephew was engaged by the vestry, and the court was crouded at an early hour to witness the discussion of a cause that had produced so deep an interest and so wide an agitation. Previous to the trial, Mr. Henry suggested to his nephew the indecorum and gracelessness of his appear* ance against the brother of his father. It was coolly answered by the young advocate, that he was without fortune or patronage, and was com- pelled to rely wholly on himself for advancement and consideration ; that it was the duty of his fa- ther's brother to have sought occasions to draw him into notice, instead of which he had con- fided his cause to strangers to the obvious dispa- ragement and slight of the talents of his nephew ; that neglected thus by his nearest relations, he had been taken up by the people, and that no con- sideration should induce him to abandon a cause to which he was bound equally by his judgment and inclination. He at the same time emphati- cally advised his uncle to go home, " for, said he, you will hear disagreeble things. I think I am acquainted with this cause, and with the bless- ing of God I will enforce this day the rights of the people, and expose the avarice and ambition of the priests : I know them, said he ; they shall have justice done this day upon them." Struck with his manner, Mr. Henry took the advice of his nephew, and the cause, after a wonderful dis- play of constitutional learning, according to his prediction, was adjudged in favour of the vestry. 304 HISTORY OF CHAP. His next exhibition was before the committee of privileges and elections, in the disputed elec- tion between col. Syme, his half bro'iur, and col. Richard Littlepage. The great right of suf- frage was a theme still better suited to his genius and studies ; a theme, however, at this day little talked of, and less understood. 1'n the hands of any other man in Virginia this subject would have excited little curiosity, and have probably passed off with the cold formalities usual on such occasions ; but the name of denry was insensibly growing into celebrity, and the members crauded from all quarters to witness the phenomenon of a youth in a plain unfashionable dress, unassisted b\ fortune or patronage aal education, defining with accuracy the rights of the people, and stt- ti.ng bounds to the authority of government; giving interest to subjects heretofore supposed unsusceptible of embellishment ; whilst a firm but modest consciousness of his own worth, dif- fused over his whole deportment, inspired his auditors with respect alike for his principles and talents. MUCH of the secret of Henry's eloquence 'lay in his capacity, more perhaps in nis manner:**- Without any other knowledge of scenic repre- sentations, save what was derived from books, his manner was strikingly dramatic. His eye was piercing and expressive ; his voice sonorous and flexible ; his gesture bold even to extrava- gance ; his manner, which may be likened to the actlo of the antients, gave to the whole a harmo- ny, whose effect was irresistible. BUT the time was approaching when he would not be tied down to the drudgery of judicial au- thorities, and when his genius would enjoy am- ple scope to exert its powers to the very extent of his ambition. The stamp act afforded a .theme- VIRGINIA; 305 equally grand and popular : It interested every CHAP, being in the country; but to the great mass of IV ' ,. T the people it was matter rather of feeling than re- flection. The historical facts on \\hich rested the national rights, were known but to a ft w. It was the good fortune of Mr. Henry to be the first to enter into an abstract exposition of this great question, and to render familiar by his perspicu- bus manner, subjects heretofore buried deep be- neath the rubbish of antiquity. WHEN Henry first appeared in the assembly of Virginia, his name was familiar, though his per- son was almost wholly unknown. The court party failed not to remark, with seme appearance of exultation, his supposed defect in ease and good breeding ; and by titterings and whispers at- tempted to embarrass and depress him. The plainness of his dress and the awkwardness of his figure furnished new food for ridicule, and the whole of their court graces were ostentatiously played off for the purpose of rendering the con- trast between polish and rusticity more striking and decisive : But their triumph was short lived. Soon as the great faculties of his mind began to enlarge and expand their volumes before them, their feelings were instantly converted into appre- hension and astonishment. Expectation being now at its height, Mr. Henry rose, and having called the attention of the house to the alarming pretensions of the English government, arid their late encroachments on the just rights and liber- ties of British America, as exemplified in the late passage of that obnoxious statute, the stamp act, he offered to the speaker the following reso- lutions : " WHEREAS the honourable house of com- mons in England have of late drawn into ques 2P HISTORY OF tion, how far the general assembly of this colo* ny hath power to enact law s for la} ing taxes and imposing duties, payable by the people of this, his majesty's most ancknt colony; for settling and ascertaining the same to all future times, the house of burgesses of this present general assem- bly have come to the several following resolutions: " Resolved, that the first adventurers and set- tiers of this his majesty's colony and dominion of Virginia, brought with them, and transmitted to their posterity, and all other his majesty's subjects since inhabiting in this his majesty ? s colony, ail the privileges and immunities that have at any time been held, enjoyed and posses* sed by the people of Great Britain. " Resolved, that by the two royal charters grant- ed by king James 1. the colonies aforesaid are de- clared entitled to all the privileges of faithful liege and natural born subjects, to all intents and pur- poses, as if they hiid been abiding and born with- in the realm of England. " Resolved, that his majesty's most liege peo- ple of this his mobt ancient colony, have enjoyed the right of being thus governed by their own as- sembly, in the article of taxes and internal po- lice, and that the same have never been forfeited, nor any other way yielded up, but have been con- stant!} recognised by the, king and people of Great Britain. " Resolved, therefore, that the general assem- bly of this colony, together with his majesty, or his substitute, have, in their representative ca pa- city, the only exclusive right and power to lay taxes and impositions upon the ii. habitants of thi colony ; ard that even attempt to vest such pow- er in any person or persons whatsoever, other than the puieral assembly aforesaid, is illegal, unconstitutional and unjust, and has a manifest VIRGINIA, SO' tendency to destroy British as well as American CHAP, freedom. " Resolved, that his majesty's liege people, the inhabitants of this colony, are not bound to yield obedience to any law or ordinance whatso- ever, designed to impose any taxation whatsoe- . ver upon them, other than the laws and ordinances of the general assembly aforesaid. " Resolved, that any person wh6 shall, by speaking or writing, maintain that any other person or persons, other than the general assem- bly of this colony, have any right or power to lay any taxation whatsoever on the people here, shall be deemed an enemy to this his majesty's co- lony." THE speaker having objected to the style of the resolutions, as too strong and inflU mmatory, George Johnson of Alexandria, an eminent law- yer, undertook to support him, and Henry, roused by opposition, entered at once into an elaborate investigation of the subject, in the course of which he displayed so much rare and profound constitutional learning, such resources of ingenuity ; a dec! tmation so clear, rapid and impressive, embellished with a fancy occasion- ally playful and lofty, as for a moment astonished and confounded opposition. His arragement of his discourse was clear ; his division of his subject eminently simple. " The rights of British Ame- rica," said he, ' 'are three fold ; chartered, consti- tutional and natural. The first arose out of our condition as colonists, and are guaranteed to us by repeated charters granted by our English monarchs. They are every where 'recognised in all our public instruments, in the acts of onr as- semblies, in the minutes of our councils, in our judicial proceedings, in our habits, our princi- ples, in every page and letter of our history, and 308 HISTORY OF CHAP, until, unfortunately for the British empire j ^^ ' present ministers came into power, no man was daring enough to call them into question. Our constitutional rights we inherit as subjects of Britain. Our fathers brought them along with them across the Atlantic, and in the midst of their own unparallelled distresses they cherished the sacred deposit, and transmitted it unimpaired a noble bequest to their descendants. These rights, inste; d of impairing our chartered rights, go to their absolute confirmation. At the time pf our emigration we were entitled to all the benefits of English subjects ; our charters secured to us in America the benefits we were compelled to relin- quish in Europe. Instead of parliaments now too remote, the wisdom of our ancestors devised the simple but majestic plan of colonial assem- blies chosen by the people and vested with the sole power of levying and granting the public money. Since the year 1619 this right has been exercised here, and I believe, in every other Ame- rican colony, to the great benefit and content of the people. But the claim now arrogantly set up by ministers would go to the utter annihilation of both the one arid the other. We are to have no rights of any kind, either as Englishmen or Ame- ricans, under the British constitution or Ameri- can charters. ni< s f and the said act, and several other acts, by ex- tending the jurisdiction of the courts of admiralty beyond its ancient limits, have a manifest ten- VIRGINIA. 3 IS dency to subvert the rights and liberties of the CHAP, colonists. IV< " IX. TH A T the duties imposed by several late acts of parliament, from the peculiar circum- stances of these colonies, will be extremely bur- thensome and grievous, and from the scarcity of specie, the payment of them absolutely imprac- ticable. " X. THAT as the profits of the trade of these colonies ultimately center in Great Britain, to pay for the manufactures which they are obliged to take from thence, they eventually contribute very largely to all supplies granted diere to the crown. " XL THAT the restrictions imposed by seve- ral late acts of parliament on the trade of these colonies, will render them unable to purchase the manufactures of Great Britain. " XII". THAT the increase, prosperity and hap- piness of these colonies depend on the full and free enjoyment of their rights and liberties, and an intercourse with Great Britain mutually affec- tionate and advantageous. " XIII. THAT it is the right of the British subjects in these colonies to petition the king, or either house of parliament. " LASTLY, that it is the indispensable duty of these colonies, to the best of sovereigns, to the mother country, and to themselves, to endeavour by a loyal and dutiful address to his majesty, and humble applications to both houses of parlia- ment, to procure the repeal of the act for grant- ing and applying certain stamp duties, of all clauses of any other acts of parliament, whereby the jurisdiction of the admiralty is extended as aforesaid, and of the other late acts for the re- striction of American commerce. 2Q 314 HISTORY OF CHAP. COMMITTEES were immediately appointed Fof lv - _ the purpose of drafting petitions to the king and commons, and a memorial to the house of lords. These papers, having been reported to the house, were unanimously adopted. Indeed, nothing r could have been more entirely unexceptionable than the style and matter of these papers. It was the language of complaint, not rude and bois- terous ; but tender, respectful and affectionate: They speak, indeed, of invaded rights and vio- lated compacts ; but nothing resentful or vin- dictive is uttered, and the conduct of the parent state is ascribed rather to mistaken policy than to any deliberate design to enslave or depress them. But whilst they proceed in this temperate strain, nothing is omitted which can shew their absolute conviction of the justice of their claims, and their firm resolution to support them. Happy had it been for Britain, if, touched by the tender reproof contained in them, and influenced by their good sense, she had abandonded at once and for ever her selfish and unfounded pretensions. To the king they say, " The continuation of these liberties to the inhabitants of America we ardent- ly irnplore, as absolutely necessary to unite the several parts of your wide extended dominions, in that harmony so essential to the preservation and happiness of the whole. Protected in these liber- tits, the emoluments Great Britain receives from us, however great at present, are inconsiderable, compared \vith those she has the fairest prospect of acquiring. By this protection she will fore- 's re to herself the advantage of conveying io ail Europe, the nierckn-ciists which America furnishes, and of supplying through the same channel whatever is wanted from thence. Here ^ opens a boundless source of wealth and naval strength; yet these immense advantages, by the VIRGINIA, 31 abridgement of those invaluable rights and liber- CHAP. ties, by which our growth has been nourished, are in danger of being forever lost ; and our sub- ordinate legislatures, in effect, rendered useless by the late acts of parliament imposing taxes on these colonies, and extending te jurisdiction of the court of admiralty here, beyond its ancient limits; statutes by which your majesty's com- mons in Britain undertake absolutely to dispose of the property of their fellow subjects in Ame- rica, without their consent, and for the enforc- ing whereof, they are subjected to the determi- nation of a single judge in a court unrestrained by the wise rules of the common law, the birth- right of Englishmen, and the safeguard of their persons and properties. " THE invaluable rights of taxing ourselves, and trial by our peers, of which we implore your majesty's protection; ^are not, we most humbly conceive, unconstitutional; but confirmed by the great charter of English liberty. On the first of these rights, the honourable the house of com- mons found their practice of originating money bills, a right enjoyed by the kingdom of Ireland, by the clergy of England, until relinquished by themselves, a right, in line, which all other your majesty's English subjects, both within and with- out the realm, have hitherto enjoyed. si WITH hearts, therefore, impressed with the mostjndelible character of gratitude to your ma- jesty, and to the memory of the kings of your illustrious house, whose reigns have been signal- ly distinguished by thrir auspicious influence on the prosperity of the British dominie con- :d by the most affecting proofs ma- jesty's piternal love to all your /ever .nt, and your unceasing ancl b it de- sires to promote their happiness, we most hum- 316 HISTORY OF CHAP* bly beseech your majesty, that you will be IV - ciously pleased to take into your royal conside- ration the distresses of your faithful subjects on this continent, and to lay the same before 3 our majesty's parliament, and to afford them such re- lief, as in your royal wisdom their unhappy cir- cumstances shall be judged to require." THEIR petition to the commons embraces a wider range, and dwells with greater force and minuteness upon the several grounds of dispute. It states, u That the several late acts of parlia- ment, imposing divers duties and taxes on the colonies, and laying the trade and commerce thereof under very burthensome restrictions, but above all the act for granting and applying cer- tain stamp duties, &c. in America, have filled them with the deepest concern and surprise ; and they humbly conceive the execution of them will be attended with consequences very injurious to the commercial interest of Great Britain and her co- lonies, and must terminate in the eventual ruin of the latter. " WE most sincerely recognise," said they, " our allegiance to the crown, and acknowledge all due subordination to the parliament of GifcU Britain, and shall always retain tl : grateful sense of their assistance and protection, it is from and under the English constitution we de- rive all our civil and religious rights and li ties; we glory in being ubjecfcs ol st of kings, and having been born under the mo&t per- fect form of government; but it is with most ineffa- ble and humiliating sorrow, that we rj id ourselves y of late, deprived of the right of grant i gour own property for his majesty's service, to which our lives and fortunes are entirely devoted, and to which, on his roya! requisitions, we have ever been iready to contribute to tb: utmost of our abilities VIRGINIA J17 v E have also the misfortune to find that al! CHAP. the penalties and forfeitures mentioned in the _ stamp act, and in divers late acts of trade ex- tending to the plantations, are, at the election of the informer, recoverable in any court of admi- ral :y in America. This, as the newly erected court of admiralty, has a general jurisdiction over all British America, renders his majesty's sub- jects in these colonies, liable to be carried, at an immense expense, from one end of the conti- nent to the other. IT gives us also great pain to see a manifest distinction made therein, between the subjects of our mother country and those in the colonies, in that the like penalties and forfeitures recoverable there only in his majesty court of record, are made cognizable here by a court of admiralty ; bv these means we seem to be, in effect, unhappily de- prived of two privileges essential to freedom, and Xvhichall Englishmen have ever considered as their best birthrights, that of being free from all taxes but such as they have consented to in person, or by their representatives, ;f trial by their peers. '*' YOUR petitioners further shew, that the re- mote situation, and other circumstances of the colonies, render it impracticable that they should be represented but in their respective subordi- nate legislatures; and they humbly conceive that the parliament, adhering strictly to tiie principles of the constitution, have never hitherto taxed any but those who were actually therein represented ; for this reason, we humbly apprehend, they ne- ver have taxed Ireland, or any of the subjects without the realm. " BUT were it ever so chc*-, that the colonies might m 1-^.v be .ed to be repre- sented in the honourable house of commons. 318 HISTORY OF CHAP, < ve conceive that very good reasons, from incon- venience, from the principles of true policy, and from the spirit of the British constitution, may be adduced to shew, that it would be for the real interest of Great Britain, as well as her colonies, -.hat the late regulations should be rescinded, and the several acts of parliament imposing duties and taxes en the colonies, and extending the ju risdiction of the courts of admiralty here, be- yond their ancient limits, should be repealed. " WE shall not attempt a minute detail of all die reasons which the wisdom of the honourable .iiggest, on this occasion, but would 'iirrjbly submit the following particulars to their consideration. Ci THAT money is already become very scarce ,, in these colonies, and is still decreasing by the necessary exportation of specie from the conti- , for tlis dircharge of our debts to British rne; e i( THAT -in immensely heavy debt is yet due from the colonies for British manufactures, and dial they arc btiil heavily burthened with taxes to discharge the arrearages due for aids granted by :hcm in tre lute \yar. " THAT the balance of trade will ever be h against the colonies, and in favour of t Britain, whilst we consume her manufac- :., the demand for which must ever increase in proportion to the number of inhabitants settled . , with the means of purchasing them. We therefore humbly conceive it to be the interest of in to increase, rather thabi diminish, i, as the profits of ail the trade of the " :nately center there to pay for her rna- arc not allowed to purchase e ; : i ,nd by the consumption of which, at ices the British taxes oblige the VIRGINIA, 31 mak-. v enders to set on them, we eventu- ally contribute very largely to the revenue of the crown. " THAT fromthe nature of American business, the multiplicity of suits and papers used in mut- ters of small value in a country were freeholds are iinutely divided, and property so frequently transferred, a stamp duty must ever be very bur- i.hensome and unequal. " THAT it is extremely improbable that the honourable house of commons should, at all times, be thoroughly acquainted with our condition, and all facts requisite to a just and equal taxation of the c " IT is alio humbly submitted, whether there be not a material distinction in reason and sound policy, at least, n the necessary exercise irliaraeiitary jurisdiction in general acts, for the amendment of the common law, and the re- guiation of trade and commerce through the \vhole empire, and the exercise of that jurisdic- tion, by imposing taxes on the colonies. *' THAT the several subordinate provincial le- gislatures have -been moulded into forms, as near- ly resembling that of their mother country, as by his majesty's royal predecessors was thought convenient; and their legislatures seem to have been wisely and graciously established, that the subjects in the colonies might, under the due ad- ministration thereof, enjoy the happy fruits of the British ;. .':'nt, which in their present cir- cumstances they cannot be so fully and clearly availed < her way under these forms of go- vernment we and our ancestors have been born or settled, and have had our lives, liberties and properties protected. The people here, as every \vhete else, retain a great fondness for their old customs and usages, and we trust that his ma- 320 HISTORY Ob jesty's service, and the interest of the nation, so far from being obstructed, have been vasty pro- moted by the provincial legislatures. " THAT we esteem our connections with, and dependance on Great Britain, as one of our great- est blessings, and apprehend that the latter wilk appear to be sufficiently secure, when it is con- sidered that the inhabitants in the colonies have the most unbounded affection for his majesty's person, family and government, as well as for the mother country, arid that their subordination, to the parliament is universally acknowledged. " WE therefore most humbly entreat, that the honourable house would be pleased to hear our counsel in support of this petition, and take our distressed and deplorable case into their serious consideration, and that the acts and clauses of acts, so grievously restraining our trade and com- merce, imposing duties and taxes on our pro- perty, and extending the jurisdiction of the court of admiralty beyond its ancient limits, may be repealed; or that the honourable house would otherwise relieve your petitioners, as in your great wisdom and goodness shall seem meet" THE deputies of six only, out of the nine co- lonies represented at this congress, signed the proceeedings. This circumstance, calculated at first sight to convey a suspicion of distrust and division, is thus satisfactorily explained iu their letter to the principal agent in London : u THE lieutenant governor of New York pro- rogued their assembly from time to time, b j that their house had not an apportunity* of appoint- ing members with full powers to join, and sign the address, &c. Yet the assembly ol Ntw York having, at their last meeting, appc, five of their members as a committee-, not to correspond with their agent at home, mat also VIRGINIA. 321 during the recess of the house to write to and cor- CHAP, respond with the several assemblies or commit- tees of assemblies on this continent, on the sub- ject matter of the several late acts of parliament ? so grievous and dangerous to their colonies, it was thought proper to admit this committee to join in the conferences, and they agreed to what was done, and promised to use their endea- vours with their assembly to concur also whene- ver they should be permitted to meet. "THE South Carolina assembly, not rightly viewing the proposal (which originally came from, the assembly of the government of the Massa- chusetts Bay) as it was intended that the several committees, when met, should frame and sign an address to his majesty, and memorial and pe- tition to the parliament, to be immediately dis- patched by the congress, instructed their mem- bers (Messrs. Lynch, Rutledge and Gadsden) to return their proceedings to them for approbation. The Connecticut assembly made the same re- strictions in their instructions. The assembly also of New Hampshire wrote that they had re- solved, that notwithstanding they were sensible such a representation ought to be made, and ap- proved of the proposed method for obtaining thereof, yet the present situation of their govern- mental affairs would not permit them to appoint a committee to attend such meeting, but should be ready to join in any address to his majesty and the parliament they might be honoured with the knowledge of, probable to answer the proposed end ; and the speaker of the assembly of Georgia wrote, that a majority of their members had ap- plied to the governor to call their assembly, and he did not think it expedient, which was the reason did not send a committee as proposed, but 22 HISTORY OF CHAP, requested us to transmit a copy of our proceed- _ ings to them, (which will be done) and that their " assembly would meet about this time, and he did not doubt but they should so act as to convince the sister colonies of their inviolable attachment to the common cause. We also understood the North Carolina, and we know the Virginia as- sembly was prorogued, whereby they could not have the opportunity of joining us ; so that we doubt not but the colonies who have not signed, will very speedily transmit similar addresses, if their assemblies should not be hindered from meeting ; and to this purpose, we hope you will soon hear from the assembly of South Carolina."* * The following estimates of the receipts and expendi- tures of this v,rtuo.us body may furnish a hint to the advo- cate* of taxes, of a national debt and splendid establishments. Justly has it been said, that the trappings of monarchy arc more than infficunt to set up a republic. An account of the disposition of the 500/. granted by ordinance, and received of the trea9urfr by William blurdock, d* ward 'l'il t shn:*n } and Thtrnas Ringgotd. To cash paid the L. s. d. By cash received of the trea- whole expenses surer in gold, 500/. at 5s. of the committee 6rf. per dwt. as follows : to N. York, there L. s. d. and .back again, 138 14 1 409 Spanish pis- To cabh paid ex- Ides, at 27s. 532 3 pres to N. Yoik, 5 Half johan- to give notice of ncs, at 57/6. - 14 7 6 our coming, - - 1/5 A French pis- To cash pad for toles,at26*. express, to send and 6d. - - 5 6 a copy of our 1 Moidore, - - 236 proceedings to 1 Half do. - - 1 1 9 the speaker of Virginia, - - - 1 10 To cash paid for bill of exchange, VIRGINIA. 323 MEANWHILE a change of ministry had unex- pectedly taken place in England, and hopes ucrc entertained, not without reason, that American grievances would experience at least an unpreju- diced if not favourable hearing. It was known uidi certainty, that a majority ot the new administra- tion was composed of whigs, who could not, it was thought, consistently with their own princi- ples, give their sanction to measures affecting me security of their fellow subjects. Before judges such as these, reasoning from analogies, tue claims of America would be listened to with ad- miration and sympathy, and their wrongs redres- sed with effect and decision. It was known, how- ever, that particular members were avowedly hos- tile to the plan of American taxation hi any shape. IN England the parliamentary debut of the Meeting of new ministers was watched with scarcely less so- parliament, licitude. It was every where regarded as the opening of a drama, whose plot had excited uni- versal expectation, and whose denouement would operate either prosperity or disaster on the na- tion. Under these circumstances of anxiety and hope, of assurance and apprehension, the ses- sion was opened by a speech from the throne, from whose mild and conciliatory spirit much to remit to Chs. Garth, csq. with the address and petitions, I50/. sterling, at fi5 per cent, exchg. 247 10 Gash remaining in hand 127 pistoles and 18. and 8d. 172 7 8 575 19 57* 1 324 HISTORY OF CHAP, good was expected, both in Europe and ca. It evinced a wish to recede, on the part of the administration, provided it could be effected without any derogation of the authority of par- liament, or any express surrender of the rights contended for. But by the friends and partisans of the last administration, the papers relating to the disturbances in America, were represented as deliberate and concerted efforts to throw oft' all allegiance to the mother country, and the various remonstrances from towns, cities and corporati- ons in that country, as the effects of ministerial artifice, to prepare the public mind for the repeal of this salutary statute. Whist the house waver- ed between these conflicting opinions, Mr. Pitt rose, and after some general observations, deli- vered his sentiments on the merits of this fa- mous statute. U HE pronounced every capital measure taken by the late ministers to have been entirely wrong. As to the present ministers, though he acknow- ledged them to be men of fair characters, and such as he was happy to see engaged in his majes- ty's service, he professed that he could not give them his confidence. ' Confidence," said he, " is a plant of slow growth in an aged bosom ; youth is the season of credulity. By comparing events with each other, reasoning from effects to causes, methinks I plainly discover the traces of an over-ruLng influence, I have had the honour to serve the crown ; and could I have submitted to influence^ I might still have continued to serve ; but I would not be responsible for others. I have no local attachments. It is indifferent to me, whether a man was rocked in his cradle on this side or that side of the Tweed. I countenanced and protected merit wherever it was to be found. It is my boast, that I was the first minister who VIRGINIA. 325 .ought tor it in the mountains of the north I call- ^V^ P * ed it forth, and drew into your service an hardy and intrepid race of men, who were once dread- ed as the inveterate enemies of the state. \V I ceased to serve his majesty as a minister, it not the country of the man by which I was ITK but the man of that country held principles in- compatible with freedom, it is a long time, Speaker, since I have attended in parliament ; when the resolution was taken in this house to tax America, I was ill in bed. if I could have endured to have been carried in my bed, so great was the agitation of my mind for the conse- quences, 1 would have solicited some kind hnnd to have laid me down on this floor to have borne my testimony against it. It is my opinion, this kingdom has no right to lay a tax upon colonies. At the same time, I assert the autho- :ngdom to be sovereign and supreme in every circumstance of government and ! . :n whatsoever. Taxation is no part ol ruing or legislative power ; the taxes are a ntary gift and grant of the commons alone. The concurrence of the peers and of the crown is necessary only as a form of law. This house represents the commons of Great Britain. V," in this house we give and grant, therefore, 'we give grant what is our own ; but can we give and grant the property of the commons of America ? It is an absurdity in terms. There is an idea in some, that the colonies are virtu..- ed in this house. 1 would fain know by whom ? The idea of virtual representation is the most contemptible that ever entered into the head of a man ; it does not deserve a serious refutation. The commons in America, represented in their ral assemblies, have invariably exercised this Institutional right of giving and grant 326 HISTORY OF own money ; they would have been slaves if they had not enjoyed it. At the same time, this king- dom has ever possessed the power of legislative and commercial controul . The colonies acknow- ledge your authority in all things, with the sole exception that you shall not take their money out of their pockets without their consent. Here would I draw the line quam ult/a citraquc ne~ quit consistere rectum*" After some minutes of profound silence, Mr. Grenville stood up, and with all the systematic obstinacy of a sincere but cloudy and narrow mind entangled in the web of its own sophistry, entered into a laboured vindi- cation of the measures of his administration. He asserted, that the tumult in America bordered on open rebellion ; and if the doctrine promul- gated that day were confirmed, he feared they would lose this name to take that of revolution. He affirmed taxation to be a .branch of the sove- reign power, and that it had been frequently ex- ercised over those who were never represented ; it was exercised over the East India and other chartered companies, and over the proprietors of stock, and many great manufacturing towns. It was exercised over the palatinate of Chester and the Bishopbric of Durham, before they sent re- presentatives to parliament. He appealed for proofs to the preamble of the act which gave them representatives, and which by his desire was read to the house. He said, that when he proposed to tax America, the right was by no one called in question. Protection and obedience were reci- procal ; Great Britain protects America ; Ame- rica is therefore bound to yield obedience. " If not, tell me," said he, " when were the Americans emancipated ? The seditious spirit of the colo- nies owes its birth to the factions in this house, were told we trode on tender, ground ; we VIRGINIA. 327 .e bid to expect disobedience; what was this CHAP. but telling America to stand out against the law ? to encourage their obstinacy \vith the expectation of support from hence ? Ungrateful people of America ! The nation has run itself into an im- mense debt to give them protection ; bounties have been extended to them ; in their favour the Act of Navigation, that palladium of British commerce, has been relaxed and now they are called upon to contribute a small share towards the public expense, they renounce ycur authori- ty, insult your officers, arid break out, I might almost say, into open rebellion." " MR. PITT, fired with disdain and resent- ment, immediately rose to reply, but was called to order by lord Strange, as having already spo- ken ; the privilege of speaking a second time be- ing allowed only in a committee. But the house resounding with die cry of go on, he proceeded with an animation and enthusiasm which no art or study can imitate, spontaneously flowing from the consciousness of great talents engaged in a just and noble cause. u Sir," said he, address- ing the speaker, "a charge is brought against gentlemen sitting in this house, for giving birth to sedition in America. The freedom with which they have spoken LheL* sentiments against this unhappy act, is imputed to them as a crime ; but the imputation shall not discourage me. It is a liberty which 1 hope no gentleman will be afraid to exercise; it is a liberty by which the gentleman who calumniates it might have pro- iited. He ought to have desisted from his pro- ject. We are told America is obstinate Ame- rica is almost in open rebellion. Sir, I rejoice that America has resisted ; three millions of peo- ple so dead to all the feelings of liberty, as vo- hintarily to submit to be slaves, would have 3*8 HISTORY Of CHAP, fit instruments to make slaves of all the rest. I y* came not here armed at all points with law cases and acts of parliament, with the statute-book doubled down in dogs ears, to defend the cause of liberty ; but for the defence of liberty upon a general, constitutional principle it is a ground on which 1 dare meet any man. I will not debate points of law ; but what after all do the cases of Chester and Durham prove, but that tinder the most arbitrary reigns, parliament were asham- ed of taxing a people without their consent, and allowed them representatives ? A higher and bet- ter example might have been taken from Wales ; that principality was never taxed by parliament till it was incorporated with England. We are told of many classes of persons in this kingdom not represented in parliament ; but are they not all virtually represented as Englishmen resident within the realm ? Have they not the option, ma- ny of them at least, of becoming 1 themselves elec- tors ? Every inhabitant of this kingdom is neces- sarily included in the general system of represen- tation. It is a misfortune that more are not actu- ally represented. The honourable gentleman boasts of his bounties to America. Are not these bounties intended finally for the bent fit of this kingdom? If they are not, he has misapplied the national treasures. I am no courtier of America I maintain that parliament has a right to bind, to restrain America. Our legislative power over the colonies is sovereign and supreme. The ho- nourable gentleman tells us, he understands not the difference between intern:;! arid external tax- \; but surely there is a plain deduction be- tween taxes levied for the purpose of raising a me, and duties i raj: trie regulation of commerce. * Wh-.'n,' :vici the >io gen- tleman, 'were the cuuuicipated '" TIRGINIA, 329 tirhat time, say I in answer, were they tmtfe slaves? I speak from accurate knowledge when I say, that the profit to Great Britain from the trade of the colonies, through all its branches, is two millions per annum. This is the fund, which carried you triumphant through the last war; this is the price America pays you for her pro- tection ; and shall a miserable financier come with a boast that he can fetch a pepper corn into the exchequer at the loss of millions to the nation ? I know the valour of your troops I know the skill of your officers I know the force of this country ; but in such a cause your success would be hazardous. America, if she fell, would fall like a strong man ; she would embrace the pillars of the state, and pull down the contention with her. Is this your boasted peace ? Not to sheathe the sword in the scabbard, but to sheathe it in the bowels of your countrymen ? The Americans have been wronged ; they have been driven to madness by injustice. Will you punish them for the madness you have occasioned ? No : Let this country be the first to resume its prudence and temper ; I will pledge myself for the colonies, that, on their part, animosity and resentment will oeasc. Let affection be the only bond of co- ercion. The system of policy 1 would earnesiy exhort Great Britain to adopt, in relation to America, is happily expressed in the words of a favourite poet : " Be to her faults a little blind, u Be to her virtues very kind ; * 4 Lc t all ter ways be unconfined, w And clap your padlock on her mind.'* PRIOR. Upon the whole, I will beg leave to tell the house in a lew words what is really my opinion. It is, 2S 330 HISTORY OF CHAP. That the Stamp Act be repealed, absolutely, totally, ?v ana immediately." ft IN a short time a bill was brought in by the re w ministers for this purpose, which, ai v er very- vehement opposition, passed both houses by con- siderabh majorities, and received the royal as- sent: accompanied at the same time wi\h a de- claratory act, asserting the power and right cf Great Britain to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever."* NOTHING could exceed the joy of America at Joy pro- this seasonable act of justice and good policy, duced in Those ill humours which had been long collect- by^epTai of * n ' arc ^ l vvcrt( l like a dark cloud over the poli- stamp-act. tical horizon, wab dissipated in a moment, and was succeeded by a clear a,;d cheering sun- shine. Public rejoicii gs took place in all the- principal towns and sea ports, in which taste anele:x: vied with each in expressing the public gratimde and exultation : The whole country exhibited me apjearmce of a national tiiumph; general illu- minations and popular processions, statues and monuments, \vih appropriate devices, executed by able anists, in a style of simple grandeur; patriotic songs and toasts, severally contributed toanin ate the public joy, and render it correct and lastiiig. But in the midst of the general en- thusiasm, the public gratitude was nicely discri- minative, and a just distinction was plainly drawn between the active virtues oi their sup porters in the British parliament, and those men who had yielded to the justice of their claims only through fear and necessity : Chatham and Cam- den, Burk and Bane, were familiar to every ear. Nor did they forget the generous exertions VIRGINIA. 331 of their own worthies, whose steady wisdom and CHAP. dauntless intrepidity in their assemblies, had _ 1V> commenced the assault, and bore the brunt of the " battle. IN the midst of these rejoicings, it did not escape the sagacity of the people that the declara- tory resolution with which the lepeal was accom- panied, was suggested with a view to future en- croachment : But it was attended with the bene- ficial effect of rendering them more jealous and vigilant, and would prevent them from relapsing into the langour of a false and fatal security. Per- haps, too, it might have been only a salvo to the wounded and mortified pride of authority ; and the main object having been attained, it was re- garded as an unreasonable jealousy to create un- easiness, by anticipating the possibility of fu- ture aggression. THE assembly of Virginia received the ac- count of this important measure with a joy pro- portioned to their wise and brilliant exertions. In the first effusions of thtir gratitude, a reso- lution was adopted for erecting an obelisk to those distinguished patriots who effected the re- peal of the stamp act. An address of thanks was immediately voced to the king and parlia- ment, in which all their former assurances of loy- alty and attachment were repeated. The} had previously in their answer to the governor's com- munication, expressed iheir satisfaction that no riots or popular excesses had stained the reputa- tion of Virginia, during the late unfortunate sus- pension of her constitution; " a circumstance," say they, " which should be ascribed to a con- viction that the triumph of the oppressor would be short, and that justice would be done to the loyalty and rights of Virginia." 332 HISTORY OF FROM these consolatory topics, their attention, was all at once directed to the discovery of a most alarming defalcation in her treasury. The suspicions of several individuals had for some time fallen on the treasurer, owing to certain usurious contracts with which his name had been connecttd. This man had been a servile instru- ment of government, and it was not improbable that the peculation might have been employed in debauching the integrity op members of assem- bly, as well as forwarding schemes of personal aggrandizement. By the spirited exertions of Bichard Henry Lee, Peter Lyon and Edmund Ptndleton, an inquiry was immediately instituted, and the result was of a nature to astonish and confound the assembly. ACCORDING to a report made on this subject, 12, ft apf>eared that this man, in whose person were united the important offices of speaker and trea- surer, had made free with more than one hunch rd thousand pounds of the public money ; and this loss was aggravated by the melancholy conside- ration that the treasury was empty. To recover this money, the measures of the house were prompt and decisive, and the com- mittee was directed to proceed against the delin- quent, whose estate was considerable, and to con- tinue their investigation with the view to the dis- covery of sums loaned by him. This was a shock too powerful for the sensibility of Mr. Ro- binson, and he sank tinder the load of general obloquy, rendered more insupportable by the acute sting of his own reflection. On this event the committee of assembly administered on his estate, and by skilful management, sufficknt was eventually collected to cover the dilapidation. THE detection of this peculation directed their attention to the glaring impropriety of concen^ VIRGINIA. ttating in a single person, powers so extensive CHAP, and incompatible as those of speaker and trea- _ surer ; and an animated pretest was entered up against their future union. This was not a time to oppose a measure so obviously founded on. reason and good policy ; and the house having made choice of Peyton Randolph for their speak- er, Robert Carter Nicholas was appointed trea- surer with the concurrent approbation of the different branches oi government and the people at large, to whom they were endeared by theif public and private virtues. TH ERE was a session of assembly in this year : 1757, But it was distinguished by no measures of im- portance, owing, it is supposed, to the illness of the governor, whose health \vas hourly declining. The committee of inquiry made a second report of thtir proceeding . respecting the late treasurer : The amount of the deficit was better defined, and the prospect oi recovering the public money rendered brighter and more distinct. The house appeared to be wholly directed to effecting order and arrangement in the finances. ABOUT this time died Francis Fauquier, lieu- tenant governor, at the age of 65 years, ten of whi :h had been passed in Virginia, WITH some allowance, he was every thing Character that could have been wished for by Virginia un- oi Fauquier dcr a royal government. Generous, liberal, ele* gant in his manners. and acquirements; his ex- ample left an impression of tiste, refinement a id erudition on the character of the colony, \\] eminently contributed to ks present hi^h n tatio'.i in the a r ts. It is stated on evidence ciently authentic, that on the return of An from his circumnavigation of the earth, he Lily fell : Fauquier, fro-n *.vhom night's piaj , lie won at cards the whole of 334 HISTORY Ol his patrimony ; th it afterwards being captivated by the striking graces of this gentleman's per- son and conversation, he procured for him the government of Virginia. Unreclaimed by the former subversion of his fortune, he introduced the same fatal propensity to gaming into Virginia ; and the example of so many virtues and accom- plishments alloyed but by a single vice, was but too successful in extending the influence of this pernicious and ruinous practice. He found amongst the people of his new government, a character compounded of the same elements as his own ; and he found little difficulty in render- ing fashionable a practice, which had before his arrival already prevailed to an alarming extent. During the recess of the courts of judicature and assemblies, he visited the most distinguished landholders in the colonies, and the rage of play- ing deep, reckless of time, health, or money, spread like a contagion amongst a class prover- bial for their hospitality, their politeness and fondness for ex pence. In every thing beside, Fauquier was the ornament and the delight of Virginia. His death devolved the duties of government IV:'ir,T?resi- on John Blair, president of council ; and the late governor having by proclamation summoned the assembly to meet previous to the time to which they had been adjourned, the president by pro- clamation directed that they should convene at the time appointed, stating that the causes for this extraordinary meeting still existed. These causes ivcre briefly explained in his communica* tion. He had received dispatches from general Gage and sir William Johnson, that considerable z Citation existed among the Indians by reason of encroachments on their lands at Redstone Creek del: March 31 1768. VIRGINIA. 335 and Cheat River by the whites, which, if not CHAP, timely prevented and punished, might lead to _ another war. THIS was a case avowedly important, and mea- sures were instantly adopted for removing so far as it depended on Virginia, every cause of un- easiness to this people. THE attention of the house was attracted to other objects of far greater importance. The re- peal of the stamp act had been extorted rather from the fears than the justice of government, and it left behind a wound that rankled deep in their bosoms. The declaratory clause had been attached to it for the purpose of assuaging the wounds of authority : But more potent remedies were sought for in plans of vengeance and ma- lignity, which only waited an occasion when with some prospect of success they might be brought to bear upon America. Whilst these projects were in agitation, Charles Townshend, chancel- lor of the exchequer, " in one of his vain and ca- pricious moods, boasted in the house of com- mons, that he kne\v how to raise a revenue from the colonies without giving them any offence."* lie was instantly andeagerl} urged by Mr. Gren- ville to pledge himself to the execution of this project, which, after being sufficiently matured, was submitted to and gained the approbation of a majority of the cabinet. The absence of lord Cnatham accelerated its adoption, and in the en- suing session of parliament a bill passed for the imposition of certain duties on glass, tea, paper and painter's colours. It was presumed that as the main objec tion had lain against internal tax- ation, these taxes being indisputably external, * Bckham. 336 HISTORY OF CHAP, would experience no opposition. This was irk = deed taking the colonis.s on their own admissions ; "" and the vain projectors hugged themselves in the assurance that they had woven a net so perplexed and mazy, that it was utterly impossible for them to extricate themselves by any efforts of in- genuity. But the sagacity of Americans, grown every day more quick -sigh ted by discussion and observation, penetrated in a moment this flimsy disguise, and their indignation and contempt every where rose against the weak and wicked projectors. IT was of little consequence, they affirmed, whether a revenue was raised within the colonies by an act of the British parliament, operating immediately, or by duties on articles imported, which went avowedly to the same object. In either case, a revenue would be raised without, and contrary to the consent of the people and their representatives. If carried into a precedent, these acts would confound all just principles of legislation, and the colonial assemblies, to every substantial purpose, would become absolute nul- lities in the constitution. It was every where regarded as the entering wedge, whose admis- sion would prepare the way for greater encroach- ments, and an unanimous resolution was every where adopted to oppose it. To these duties, so justly regarded as obnoxi- ous and illegal, the assembly of Virginia, with their usual zeal and sagacity, directed their at- tention, and they received every facility fr<>m the mild and patriot virtues of their chief n*agis trate. A few days pevious to the opening of their session, the speaker received the circular letter of Massachusetts, giving an account of their op- position to the parliamentary duties, and so ing the concurrence of Virginia to her pia.ii of VIRGINIA; 35? constitutional resistance. A communication like CHAP. this would naturally confirm the zeal of Virginia, if incentives had been wanting. Their resolu- tion, however, was already formed, and the pro- ceedings of her legislature are thus rapidly but impressively detailed in their answer through the medium of their speaker. After paying a just tribute of applause to the legislature of Massa- chusetts for their attention to American liberty, they tell them that, " After the most deliberate consultation, they thought it their duty to repre- sent to the parliament of Great Britain, that they are truly sensible of the happiness and security they derive from their connections with, and de- pendence on Great Britain, and are under the greatest concern that any unlucky incident should interrupt that salutary harmony, which they wish ever to subsist. They lament that the lemote- ness of their situation often exposes them to such misrepresentations as are apt to involve thtm in censures of disloyalty to their sovereign, and the want of a proper respect to the British parlia- ment ; whereas they have indulged themselves in the agreeable persuasion, that they ought to be considered as inferior to none of their fellow sub- jects in loyalty and affection. " THAT they do not affect an independency of their parent kingdom, the prosperity of which they are bound to the utmost of their abilities to promote, but cheerfully acquiesce in the autho- rity of parliament to make laws lor preserving a necessary dependence, and for regulating the trade of the colonies. Yet they cannot conceive, and humbly insist, it is not essential to support a proper relation between a mother country and colonies transplanted from her, that she should have a right to raise money from them without 2T ' 338 HISTORY OF their consent, and presume they do not aspire to more than the natural rights cf British subjects, when they assert, that no power on earth has a right to impose taxes on the people, or take the smallest portion of their property without their consent, given by their representatives in '"parlia- ment. This has ever been considered as the chief pillar of the constitution ; without this sup. port no man can be said to have the least shadow of liberty, since they can have no property in that, which another can by right take from them when he pleases, without their consent. " THAT their ancestors brought over with them entire, and transmitted to their descend- ants, the natural and constitutional rights they had enjoyed in their native country ; and the first principles of the British constitution were early engrafted into the constitution of the colonies. Hence a legislative authority, ever essential in all free states, was derived, and assimilated as nearly as might be to that in England ; the exe- cutive power, and the right of assenting or dis- senting to all laws reserved to the crown, and the privilege of choosing their own representatives continued to the people, and was confirmed to them by repeated and express stipulations. The go- vernment thus established, they enjoyed the fruits of their own labour with a serenity, which liberty only can impart. Upon pressing occasions they applied to his majesty for relief, and gratefully acknowledge they have frequently received it from their mother country ; whenever their assistance was necessary, requisitions have constantly been made from the crown to the representatives of the people, who have complied with them to the ut- most extect of their abilities. The ample pro- vision made for the support of the civil govern- ment, in the reign of king Charles the second, VIRGINIA. 339 and at his request, and the large supplies voted CHAP. during the last war, upon requisitions from his majesty and his royal grandfather, afford early and late instances of the dispositions of the as- semblies of this colony, and are sufficient proofs that the parliament of Great Britain did not, till lately, assume a power of imposing taxes on the people, for the purpose of raising a revenue. " To say that the commons of Great Britain have a right to impose internal taxes on the inha- bitants of this continent, who are not, and can- not be represented, is in effect to bid them pre- pare for a state of slavery. What must be their situation should such a right be established ? The colonies having no constitutional check on theirli- berality in giving away their money, cannot have an opportunity of explaining their grievances, or .of pointing out the easiest method of taxation, for their doom will generally be determined be- fore they are acquainted that the subject has been agitated in parliament, and the commons bear no proportion of the taxes they lay upon them. The notion of a virtual representation, which would render all our rights merely ideal, has been so often, and so clearly refuted, that nothing need be said on that head. " THE oppressive stamp- act confessedly im- posed internal taxes, and the late acts ot parlia- ment, giving and granting certain duties in the British colonies, plainly tend to the same point. Duties have been imposed to restrain the com- merce of one part of the empire that was likely to prove injurious to another, and by this means the welfare of the whole promoted ; but duties imposed on &uch of the British exports as are ne- cessaries of life, to be paid by the colonists on importation, without any view to the interests of commerce, but merely to raise a revenue, or in 340 HISTORY OF CHAP, other words, to compel the colonists to part with their money against their inclinations, they con- ceive to be a tax internal to all intents and pur- poses. And can it be thought just or reasona- ble, restricted as they are in their trade, con- fined as they are in their exports, obliged to pur- chase their very necessaries at the British mar- ket, that they should now be told they shall not have them without paying a duty for them ? " THE act MI spending the legislative power of New York, they consider as still more alarming to the colonies, though it has that single pro- vince in view. If the parliament can compel them to furnish a single article to the troops sent over, they may by the same rule oblige them to furnish cloaths, arms and every other necessary, even the pay of the officers and soldiers, a doc- trine replete with every mischief, and utterly sub- versive of all that is dear and valuable: For what advantage can the people of the colonies de- rive from their right of choosing their own re- presentatives, if those representatives, when chosen, not permitted to exercise their own judgments, were under a necessity (on pain of being deprived of their legislative authority) of enlorcing the mandates of a British parliament ? '' THIS, sir, is a sketch of their sentiments, as they are expressed in a petition to his majes- ty, a memorial to the right honourable the lords spiritual and temporal, and in a remonstrance to the knights, citizens and burgesses of Great Bri- tain in parliament assembled. In all those pro- ceedings the council of the colony have concur- red, and have directed their agent, James Aber- crombic, esq. to join Kdward Montague, esq. their agent for this colony, in applying for redress of the grievances they so justly complain of. Copies Were delivered to the president of the VIRGINIA. council, now commander in chief, who is de- sired to transmit them to the secretary of state appointed by his majesty to manage the affairs of North America, and Mr. Montague is en- joined to consult the agents of the other colonies, and to co operate with tliem in every measure that shall be thought necessary to be taken on this critical point. " THEY trust they have expressed themselves with a firmness that becomes freemen pleading for essential rights, and with a decency that will take off every imputation of faction or disloyal- ty. They repose entire confidence in his majes- ty, who is ever attentive to the complaints of his subjects, and is ever ready to relieve their dis- tress ; and they are not without hopes that the colonies, united in a decent and regular opposi- tion, mi.y prevail on a new house of commons to put a stop to measures so directly repugnant to the interests both of the mother country and her colonies." THE discontent at this time arising from go- vernmental oppressions, was not' confined to America: it extended to every quarter of the empire ; but its focus was the capital, where its violence sometimes became so great as to en- danger even the existence cf civil government. MEANWHILE '^ord Bottetourt arrived, as governor in chief of the catony of Virginia, and Lord Botte- by advice of council, a dissolution took place of tourt ar- the assembly. This was the usual procedure on the arrival of a new governor, in order that the representatives of the people should meet their chief magistrate with minds as little as possible infected by old prejudices, coming as they did immediately from the fountain head of autho- rity. 342 HISTORY OF CHAP. IV. T". Assembly. May 11, 1769. IN the early part of the following year the new assembly convened, agreeably to notice, and were addressed by the governor in a speech calculated by its affectionate and conciliatory temper to soothe every irrittation of feeling. Amongst other tilings, it contained an assurance that the chief governor, by his majesty's in- struction, would in future reside within the co~ lony. The reply of the burgesses was respect- ful and complimentary, but marked by a charac- ter of caution and reserve. The governor, not- withstanding the favourable sentiments entertain- ed of his honour and humanity, had given of- fence by the gaudy parade and pompous pageant exhibited during die first day of the session. He was drawn upon that occasion by eight milk white horses, in a state coach presented him for that purpose by the king; and the same formalities were observed as when the British sovereign goes in state to open the parliament. A pageant so opposite to the becoming simplicity of past times, could not fail to strike a body so enlight- ened, and it was designed, they imagined by this unmeaning glitter, to impress with reverence und abasement the senses of the people. THE governor having pro posed no specific ob- jects for their consideration, the house proceed- ed without delay to a spirited -inquiry into the na- ture and tendency of the late parliamentary duties, which they scrupled not to ascribe to a delibe- rate intention of subverting the ancient rights and constitution of the colony. In the investi- gation of this important subject, they were no longer embarrassed by the sophistry of opposi- tion, one unanimous sentiment having absorbed all the shades and distinctions of opinion. In this spirit the following resolutions were submitted VIRGINIA. 343 ' Resolved, nervine contradicente^ That the CHAP. ^ole right of imposing taxes on the inhabitants of . this his majesty's colony and dominion of Vir- ginia is now, and ever has been, legally and con- stitutionally vested in the house of burgesses, lawfully convened, according to the ancient and established practice, with the consent of the council, and of his majesty the king of Britain, or his governor for the time being. t Resolved, nemine contradicente, That it is the undoubted privilege of the inhabitants of this colony to petition their sovereign for redress of grievances, and that it is lawful and expedient to procure the concurrence of his majesty's other colonies, in dutiful addresses, praying the royal interposition in favour of the violated rights of America. " Resolved, nemine contradicente, That all trials for treason, misprision of treason, or for any fe- lony or crime whatsoever, committed or done in this his majesty's said colony and dominion, by any person or persons residing therein, ought of right to be had and conducted in and before his majestj : s courts held within his said colony, ac- cording to the fixed and known course of pro- ceeding ; and that the seizing any person or per- sons residing in this colony, suspected of any crime whatesoever committed therein, and send- ing such person or persons to places beyond the sea to be tried, is highly derogatory of the rights of British subjects, as thereby the inestimable privilege of being tried by a jury from their vi- cinage, as well as the liberty of summoning and producing witnesses in such trial, will be taken away from the party accused. " Resolved, nemme contradicente, That an humble, dutiful and loyal address, be presented I 344 HISTORY OF CHAP, to his majesty, to assure him of our inviolable at- tachment to his sacred person and government, and to beseech his royal interposition, as the fa- ther of all his people, however remote from the seat of his empire, to quiet the minds of his loy- al subjects of this colony, and to avert from them those dangers and miseries which will ensue from the seizing and carrying beyond sea any person residing in America, suspected of any crime whatsoever, to be tried in any other manner than by the ancient and long established course of pro- ceeding." IT was then " Ordered, that the speaker of ihis house do transmit, without delay, to the speakers of the several houses of assembly on this continent, a copy of the resolutions now agreed to by this house, requesting their concur- rence therein." ON the following day, as if no longer hoping* for redress, or disdaining to solicit it from the corruption and arrogance of pailiament, an ad- dress to the king alone was agreed to, accompa- nied by an order that the speaker should trans- mit it to the. agent of the colony, " with direc- tions to cause the same to be presented to his most excellent majesty, and afterwards to be printed and published in the English papers " BUT the governor had now taken the alarm, and at 12 o'clock on the following day, having proceeded to the capital, he sent a message by his secretary, Mr. Walthoe, to the speaker arid house of burgesses, to meet him in the council chamber : The summons being instamly obe} ed. tie addressed to them the ominous and alarming sentence. VIRGINIA, 345 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 dissolved accordingly." BUT the time was past when the mere breath of authority could extinguish the light of justice ai d reason. With one consent the representa- tives repaired to a private house in the city, and having appointed their speaker moderator, a non- importation agreement was immediately entered into, which having been unanimously signed by all the members present, was by order sent for signatures through the country.* * Cofiy of the Association. We, bis majesty's most dutiful subjects, the late repre- sentative* of all the freeholders of the colony of Virginia, avowing our inviolable and unshaken fidelity and loyalty to our most gracious sovereign, our affection for all our fellow subjects of Great Britain, protesting against every act or thing which may have the most distant tendency to inter- rupt or in anywise disturb his majesty's peace and the good order of hi* government in this colony, which we are re- solved at the risk of our lives and fortunes to maintain and defend, but at the same time being deeply affected with the grievances and distresses with which his majesty's American subjects are oppressed, and dreading the evils which threat- en the ruin of ourselves and our posterity, by reducing us from a free and happy people to a wretched and miserable state of slavery, and having taken into our most serious consideration the present state of the trade of this colony and of the American commerce in general, observe, with anxiety, that the debt due to Great Britain for goods im- ported from thence is very great, and that the means of paying this debt, in the present situation of affairs, are likely to become more and more precarious ; that the difficulties under which we now iabaur are owing to the restrictions? 2U 346 HISTORY OF CHAP. THESE spirited proceedings had the beneficial IV - effect of confirming the opposition of the other co- lonies, more especially of Massachusetts, against which the vindictive policy of administration had prohibitions, and ill advised regulations, in several late acts of parliament of Great Britain, in particular that the late unconstitutional act imposing duties on tea, paper, glass, Sec. for the sole purpose of raising a revenue in America, is injurious to property and desiruc ive to liberty, hath a necessary tendency to prevent the payment of the debt due from this colony to Great Britain, and is of consequence ruinous to trade ; that notwithstanding the many earnest ap- plications already made, there is little reason to expect a rtdress of those grievances : Therefore, in justice lo our- selves and our posterity, as well as to the traders of Great Bri'ain concerned in the American commerce, we, the sub- scribers, have voluntarily and unanimously entered into the f Ho wing resolutions, in hopes that our example will induce the good people of this colony to be frugal in the use and consumption of British manufactures, and that the merchants and manufacturers of Great Britain may, from motives of interest, friendship and justice, be engaged to exert themselves to obtain for us a redress of those griev- ances under which the trade and inhabitants of America at present labour. We do therefore most earnestly recom- mend this our association to the serious attention of all gen- tlemen merchants, traders, and other inhabitants of this co- lony, in hopes that they will vtry readily and cordially ac- cede thereto. First, It is unanimously agreed on and resolved, this 18tk day of May, 1769, that the subscribers, as well by their own example as all other legal ways and means in their power. Drill promote and encourage industry and frugality, and dis- courage all manner of luxury and extravagance. Secondly, That they will not at any time hereafter, di- rectly or indirectly, import, or cause to be imported, any manner of goods, merchandise or manufactures, which are, or shall hereafter be taxed by act of parliament for the pur- pose of raising a revenue in America, (except paper not ex- ceeding tight shillings sterling per ream, and except such articles only as orders have been already sent for) nor pur- chase any such after the first day of September next, of any person whatsoever, but that they will always consider VIRGINIA. 347 been particularly directed. Virginia and her cou- CHAP. rage, intelligence and patriotism, became through- _ out America themes of grateful panegyric. Nor were the effects of her gallant resistance confined such taxation in every respect, as an absolute prohibition, and in all future orders direct their correspondents to ship them no goods whatever taxed as aforesaid, except as is above excepted. Thirdly, That the subscribers will not hereafter, directly or indirectly, import, or cause to be imported, from Great Briuin, or any part of Europe, (except such articles of the produce or manufacture of Ireland as may be immediately and legally brought from thence, and except also such goods as orders have been already sent for) any of the goods hereinafter enumerated, viz. spirits, wine, cider, perry, beer, ale, malt, barley, pease, beef, pork, fish, butter, cheese, tallow, candles, oil, fruit, sugar, pickles, confecti- onary, pewter, hoes, axes, watches, clocks, tables, chairs, looking-glasses, carriages, joiners and cabinet work of all sorts, upholstery of all sorts, tr'u.kets and jewellery, plate and gold, and silversmiths' work of all sorts, ribband and millinery of all sorts, lace of all sorts, India goods of all.so"ts, (except spices) silks of all sorts (except sewing silk) cambric, lawn, muslin, guaze, (except boif ing cloths) calico or cotton stuffs of more ihan two shillings per yard, linen of more than two shillings per yard, woolens, worsted stuffs of all sorts of more than one shil'ing and sixpence per yaid, btoadcloths of all kinds at more than eight shillings per yard, narrow cloths of all kinds at more than three shillings per yard, hats, stockings, (plaid and Irhh hose excepted), shoes, and boots, saddles, and all manufactures of leather and skins of all kinds, until the late acts of parliament im- posing duties on tea, paper, glass, &r. for the purpose of raising a revenue in America, are repealed ; and that they will not, after tne first of September next, purchase any of the above enumerated good?, of any person whatsoever, un- less the above mentioned acts of parliament are renewed. Fourthly, That in all orders which any of the subsnbers may hereafter send to Great Britain, they shall ;nd will expressly direct their correspondents not to ship them any of the before enumerated goods until the before mentioned acts of parliaments are repeated; and if any goods are ship- ped to them, contrary to the tenour of this agreement, they 348 HISTORJ Of CHAP, to the colonies : It had made a deep impression on the British government, which began at length reluctantly to discern that the conduct hitherto adopted towards America was in the highest de- will refuse to take ihe same, or make themselves charges- ble therewith. Fifthly, That they will not import any slaves, or pur- chase any imported, after the first day of November next, until the s ud acts are repealed. Sixthly, That they will not import any wines of any kind whatever, or purchase the same from any person whatever, after the first day of September next, except such wines as are already ordered, until the acts of parliament imposing duties thereon of parliament are repealed. Sc vcnthly, For the better preservation of the breed of sheep, that they will not kill, or suffer to be killed, any lambs that shall be yeaned before the first day of May, in any year, nor dispose of such to any bu'cher, or other per- son whom they may have reason to suspect intends to kill the same. Eightly and lastly, That these resolves shall be binding on all and each of the subscribers, who do hereby each and every person for himself, upon his word and honour, agree thut he will strictly and firmly adhere to and abide by every ar- ticle in this agreement, from the time of his signing the same, for and during the contiuanceof the before mention- ed acts of parliament, or until a general meeting of the sub- scribers, after one month's public notice shall determine otherwise, the second article of this agreement still and for ever continuing in full power and force. Peyton Randolph, Robert Carter Nicholas, Richard Bland, Archibald Gary, Richard Henry Lee, Charles Car- ter, George Washington, Carter Braxton, Severn Eyre, "Richard Randolph, Patrick Henry, junr. Peter Johnston, Henry Lee, Nathaniel Terry, Thomas Whiting, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Nelson, junr; James Walker, John A- lexander, Champion Travis, George Ball, Thomas Harri- scn, Thomas Claiborne, John Blair, junr. Thomson Mason, Josias Payne, junr. Burvvtll Bassett, Richard Anderson, James Scott, junr John Green, Wilson Miles Gary, Gabriel Jones, Willis Riddrck, Thomas Glascock, John Woodson, Ben. Howard, Isaac Read, Foushee Tebbs, Edward Os- t>orne> Francis Peyton, Abraham Hire, James Wood, VIRGINIA. 34 gree absurd and impracticable. A shock had been C *JP. given to the feelings and habits of the colonists, which had only alarmed their jealousy and sharp, ened their sagacity and vigilance, when a small portion of address, it was imagined, might have aichieved the favourite projects of ministry with- out noise or suspicion. It was necessary to re- trace their steps : Cunning must supply the place of violence and wisdom, the public agitation composed by insidious assurances, and suspi- cion lulled into the calm of security. WITH this view the governors of the several colonies were instructed to inform the several as- semblies, that it was at no time the intention of his majesty's ministers to raise an American revenue, and that the duties complained of would be cer- tainly repealed. The governor of Virginia had by his honest and sensible representations to the ministry, eminently contributed to bring about this change. Humane, disinterested and honoura- ble, he had declared his intention of resigning his government, unless compltte justice was done to their loyalty and patriotism, which he avowed to be equal to those of any subjects in the empire. On Richard Baker, Edwin Gray, Robert Munford, Henry Tay- lor, Joseph Cabell, Alex. Trent, John Mayo, David Ma- son, Wm. Macon, junr Hugh lones, Boiling Stark, Robert Boiling, Paul Carrington, Thos Walker, Wm. Cabell, jun. Nathaniel Edwards, junr. Bobtrt Rutherford, Thos. Barber, Charles Lynch, Jaaies Hamilton, John Wiison, Wm. Clay- ton, Robert Munford, Mecklenburg, Thomas Bailey, Thos. Scott, Lewis Burwell, John Harmanson, Thomas Parra- tnore, John Do islson, Cornelius Thomas, Thomas John- son, John Lewis, junr. Wm Rone, Wm. Acrrill, Hartwell Coke, John Taibot, Richard Lee, Joseph Hutchings, P2d- ward Hack Mosely, junr. John Ackiss, James Bridger, Da- vid Mead, Southy Simpson, Peter Poythress, Philip Lud well Grymss ; Richard Siarke, clerk to the association. 350 HISTORY OF CHAP, the strength of those assurances, received from . . the secretary for American affairs, the assembly Assembly, was convened.* * Gentlemen of the Council, Mr. S/icaker, and Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses. I think myself peculiarly fortunate to be able to inform you, that in a letter dited May the 13th, I have been as- sured by the earl of Hdlsbirough, that his majesty's pre- sent administration have at no time entertained a design to propose to parliament Co lay any further taxes upon Ame- rica for the purpose of raising a revenue, and that it is their mtention to propose in the next session of parliament, to take off the duties upon glass, paper and colours, upon con- sideration of such duties having been laid contrary to the true principl-s of commerce. It may possibly be objected, that as his majesty's present administration are not im Tiortal, their successors may be inclined to attempt to undo *vhat the present ministers shall have i* empted to perform ; and to that objection I can give but this answer, that it is my firm opinion that the plan I have stated to you will certainly take place, and that it will never r>e departed from, and so determined am I for ever to abide by it, that I will be content to be declared infamous if I do not to the last hour of my life, at all times, in all places, and up in all occasiois, exert every power with which I either am or shall be legally invested, in order to obtain and maintain for the continent of America that satisfaction which I iiave been authorised to promise this day, by the confidential servants of our gracious sovereign, who, to my certain knowledge, rates his honour so high, that he wou.ld rather part with his crown than preserve it by deceit. To his excellency the right honourable Norbonne baron de Boietourt, his majesty's lieutenant and governor general of the colony and dominion of Virginia, and vice-admiral of the same. The humble Address of the Council. My Lord, We, his nnjes*tv's dutiful subjects, the council of Virgi- nia, now met in general assembly, return your excellency VIRGINIA. 351 THE effect of these assurances was instanta- CHAP, neous : Every eye glistened with pleasure, and IV< ,. in the midst of their gratitude to heaven for their promised deliverance from bondage, they did not forget the benevolent spirit, whose coun- our sincerest thanks for your kind speech at the opening of this session, and for the opportunity you have afforded us of dispatching the public business of this dominion. Your ex- cellency may be assured that the several matters you have so earnestly recommended to the legislature at this time, will be attenckd to, and cor sidered by the council with all the temper and moderation which the importance of them re- quires ; and that we shall give a cheerful and ready compli- ance with all such measures as may best promote the ho- nour of the crown, and the happiness of his majesty's sub- jects in Virginia. The information your excellency has been pleased to give us of the intention of his majesty's ministers, to propose in the next session of parliament to take off the duty upon paper, glass and colours, is extremely agreeable to us ; as a repeal of the revenue act will be the most effec- tual method to heal the differences that have unhappily sub- sisted between Great Britain and her colonies, and to restore that harmony and mutual confidence which are so necessary for the welfare and prosperity of both. We acknowledge, with particular satisfaction, that our most sanguine expec- tations, upon your excellency's arrival in the colony, have been fully answered, by the experience we have already had of your prudent, wise and equitable administration; and we look upon it as a sure presage of happiness to this country. To which his excellency was pleased to return the follow- ing answer. Gentlemen of the Council, I accept with the utmost thankfulness your very affection- ate address, and am proud to acknowledge that I stand in- debted to your able and friendly counsel for that degree of credit with which I have been honoured by this respectable dominion. 352 HISTORY OF CHAP, sels had softened the hearts and convinced the _ judgment of their oppressors. The venerable " image of Botetouit was enshrined in every breast ; every tongue was wanton in his praise. Nor was To his excellency the right houourable Norborne haron de Botetourt, his majesty's lieutenant and governor general of the colony and dominion of Virginia, and vice-admi- ral of the same. The humble Address of the House of Burgesses* My Lord) We, his majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the burgesses of Virginia, now met in general assembly, brg leave to return your excellency our sincere and unfeigned thanks for your very kind and affectionate speech at the opening of this session. It gives us great pleasure, that we have again the ho- nour ef meeting your lordship in general assembly, as it affords us an opportunity of renewing to your excellency the strongest assurances of our uninterrupted and most in- violable attachment to the sacred person and government of our royal sovereign, and, at the same time, of discharging the important duties we owe to our constituents. We should think ourselves extremely dtficient in dtry and affection to the best of kings, were we not deeply im- pressed with the warmest sentiments of gra ;ituile by his ma- jesty's moat gracious purpose of recommending to his par- liament a 'repeal of the act imposing duties upon glass, pa- per and colours ; especially, as we cannot doubt bu^ that the same wisdom and goodness, which have already induced his majesty favourably to regard the humble entreaties of his faithlul subjects in America, will still farther incline the royal breast to an exertion of his majesty's graci- us and benign influence, towards perfecting the happiness of all his people. It adds greatly, my lord, to our satisfaction and com- fort, to learn from your excellency that hiu majesty's pre sent administration have at no time entertained a design to propose to parliament the laying any farther taxes upon, America, for the purpose of raising a revenue ; and *ve will not suffer our present hopes, arising from the pleasing VIRGINIA. 358 ft only by his conduct that he had endeared him- CHAF. self to Virginia: His private virtues, displayed continually without effort or ostentation, en- shrined him in the hearts of all men. AN address to the governor was agreed to, praying that he would use his best offices to pro- cure for the colony a circulation of copper money ; they at the same time expressed their wishes fora more extended western boundary, but declared their willingness to acquiesce, provided that could not be obtained, in the boundary proposed by their sovereign.* At length, by desire of prospect your lordship hath so kindly opened and displayed to us, to be clashed by the bitter reflection that any future administration will entertain a wish to drpart from that plan, which affords the surest and most permanent foundation of public tranquility and happiness : No, my lord, we arc sure our most gracious sovereign, under wha'ever changes may happen in his cci.fidential servants, uill regain immutable in the ways of truth and justice, and that lie is incapable of deceiving: his faithful subjects ; and we esteem your lord- ship's information not only as warranted, but even sanctified by the royal word. To which his exellency was pleased to return the following answer. Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen vf the House of Burgesset^ Your kind and affectionate address brightens my pros- pect, and fills me with the delightful expectation of com- pletely answering the purposes of my royal master. May the Almighty secure to me that mosi desirable object, by di recting your counsels for the advantage and prosperity of all his majesty's extensive dominions, and may you continue a loyal, free and happy people, till time shall be no more. * Your memorialists beg leave to observe that the said line? if extended from the intersection of Holston's river, the 2 W 354 HISTORY OF CHAP, the governor, they adjourned themselves for the purpose of affording leisure tor the session of the general court. WHILST these things were passing in Virgi- nia, events of a bolder character had rapidly sue- in setts. 1769, point which would terminate the line dividing this colony from North Carolina, to the mouth of the Great Kanhaway 9 would be ntar two hundred miles in length, and must pass through a country abounding with high and ragged moun- tains extremely d-fncult and dangerous of access, and inter- sected by many wattr courses; that the present posture of Indian affairs would muke a strong guard of armed men ne* cessary for the prottction of those who might be commis- sioned to run such a line, as it must necessarily pass thro* a country uninhabited, and through which those Indians who seem at present most inclined to hostilities, do fre- quently take their routes. That by establishing such line, a great part of that most valuable country, lying on the Ohio, below the mouth of the Grtut Kanhavay, lately ceded to his majesty by the northern Indians, would be separated and divided from the British territory, on the upper part of Holston's river, the Great Kanbuway and the Ohio, which your memorialists humbly conceive must greatly impede, and may totally pre* vent the settlement of that fertile and extensive country* which, from its situation end many natural advantages would open the fairest prospect of a very beneficial com- merce to cur mother country, by securing to his majesty's subjects a new and extensive trade with the several tribes of western Indians, which has hitherto been almost engrossed by the subjects of France; and by this means many Indi- an nations heretofore living at enmity with our most gra- cious sovereign and his subject*, might be made fr endly and useful in extending the trade and navigation with Great Britain. That your memorialists have the greatest reason to fear that the said line, if confirmed} would constantly open to the Indians ind oihers, enemies to his majesty, a free and cas> ir.prrss to the heart of the country, en the Ohio, Hoi. stM-'s river, and the Great Kanhaway, \vhcreby the settle, n.ent* which may be attempted in those quarters will in all pu liability be utterly destroyed, and that great extent oi country, from the mouth of the Kanhaway to the VIRGINIA. 3S needed each other in the province of Massachu- CHAP, setts. After the circular letter to the other colo- IV - nies, which has been already alluded to, gover- nor Bernard laid before the house of representa- tives an extract of a letter from the earl of Hills- borough, declaring his majesty's concern, " that a house, at the end of a session, should have mouth of the CheroVee river, extending eastward as far as the Lawrell Hills, so very lately ceded to hi* majesty, and to which no tribe of Indians at present sets up any pre- tensions, will be entirely abandoned to the Cherokees; in consequence of which claims totally destructive ot the true interests of his majesty may at some future time arise, and acquisitions justly ranked amongst the most valuable of the late war, be altogether lost. Your memorialists further beg leare to represent to your lordship, that lands which have been granted by patents re- gularly obtained, according to the known and fixed rules of this government, if the said line were to take piaac, would be entirely dismembered from this colony, allotted to the Indians, and entirely lost to the proprietors, who were au- thorised by law, and encouraged by the royal instruction of his la r .e majesty to his governor, to explore and settle this new country at the risk of their Hres, and at a great ex- pense. Your memorialists, from these weighty considerations, have been induced to extend their views, and do humbly of- fer, as their opinion, that a lint beginning at tlie western termination of tht North Carolina line, and running thence in a due west direction to the river Ohio, may be accom- plished at a much lets expense than the other line proposed ; that the extension of such a line is necessary for the safety aria advantage of his majesty** subjects, and that it would lend greatly to the increase of his majesty'* revenue, and to the promotion of the trade and navigation of the western part of this dominion, if a purchase were made of the Che- rokee Indians of all their lands, which such due western line vould include; especially if his majesty would be gra- ciously pleased in his royal wisdom to discourage all mono- polies of those lands, and strengthen our barrier by grant- ing them in small or moderate quantities, to such adven- turers as might incline to seat and settle the same. 355 HISTORY OF CHAP, presumed to revert to, and resolve upon, a mea~ sure ot so inflammatory a nature as that of writ- ing to the other colonies on the subject of their intended representations against some late acts ot parliament, and signifying his majesty's plea- sure, that the governor should require of the house of representatives, in his majesty's name, to rescind the resolution which gave birth to the circular letter from the speaker, and to declare their disapprobotion of and dissent from that rash and hasty proceeding.?' The house having for some time endeavoured to evade this requisi- tion, at lengih agreed to a reply to the letter of Hillsborough, by a majority of ninety- three to thirteen, in which they defended with masculine energy their circular, and by bold insinuation ascribe the resentment of their sovereign to the base misre presentations and perfidious counsels of that desperate faction which had invariably sought to embroil the tranquility of society. The ques- tion for rescinding being then taken, it was de- cided in the negative by a majority of ninety. two to seventeen. The immediate consequence of these measures was as usual a dissolution of the assembly, a procedure in the present agitation of the public sentiment utterly inefficient. AN event meanwhile occurred which evinced the popular irritation more strongly than lan- guge. The sloop Liberty, belonging to John Hancock, having been seized by the collector and comptroller of the customs, the populace assembled in great numbers, beat the officers and their assistants, took possession of the collec-^ tor's boat, which they burnt in triumph, and patrolled the streets. The revenue officers, alarmed for their safety, fled first on board the Rpmhey man of war, and afterwards to Castle William. The governor in vain moved the council VIRGINIA. 357 to devise some means for restoring its former vi- gour and firmness to government. That virtuous body replied ,. that " the disorders which happened were occasioned by the violent and unprecedent- ed manner in which the sloop Liberty had been seized by the officers of the customs." The in- habitants of Boston, on the strength of several affidavits, affirmed that the haughty conduct of the commissions and their creatures, had been the sole cause of the late tumults. The popular ir- ritation was still farther inflamed by the captain of the Romney man of war, who, having modred in close with the town, committed several out- rages evincive of a determined hostility. A pe- tition was presented to the governor for the re- inovil of the Romney, and the streets were again patrolled by large bodies of people, breathing vengeance against the authors of the late arbi- trary and unprecedented proceedings. A com- mittee of both houses, however, thought proper to disapprove of the popular excesses, and for the sake of form, it was imagined, directed suits to be instituted against the authors and abettors of the late riots. It was signified, meanwhile, that a body of troops might be expected in Bos- ton, and the popular suspicion being every mi- nute excited by new arid unusual appearances al- ternately of menace and reserve on the part of the government, the committee of Boston resolved, " that to levy money within that province by any other authority than that of the general court, was a violation of the royal charter, and of the undoubted natural right of British subjects. " THAT the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Boston would, at the peril of their lives and fortunes, take all legal and consti- tutional measures to defend all and singular the 35$ HISTORY OF CHAP, rights, liberties, privileges, and immunities? 1 v * granted in their royal charter. " THAT, as there was an apprehension in the minds of many of an approaching war with France, those inhabitants who were not provided with arms, should be requested duly to observe the laws of the province, which required that every householder should furnish himself with a complete stand." " THEY further resolved, " that as the gover- nor did not think proper to call a general court for the redress of their grievances, the town would then make choice of a suitable number of persons to act for them as a committee in a con- vention, to be held at Fanueil hall in Boston, with such as might be sent to join them from the se- veral towns in the province." THE advice of the committee had all the effects of law, and the conventional deputies assembled at Faneuil Hall clothed with authority superior to all the trappings of kings ; the love, the re- spect, the gratitude of a virtuous people. After disclaiming all other title save that of mere indi- viduals, they petitioned the governor to assemble the general court, and having instructed their agent of their real character and the motives which in- duced their assemblage, they rose after recom- mend ing patience and moderation to the people. THEIR session had scarcely closed when two regiments, commanded by colonel Ddrymple, marched into Boston with bayonets fixed and mi- litary music, and the select men having^ refused to furnish them with quarters, the state- house was by order of die governor prepared for their reception, and two pieces of cannon were post- ed in its front with the obvious and professed view of awing the townsmen. This insulting pageant was calculated to inflame the already ir* VIRGINIA. 35 ritated feelings of the people, and it was with the c ^ p< utmost difficulty that they were restrained by the magistrates from rushing on the guard, and pre- cipitating every thing into confusion and hostili- ty. The measure of suffering and insult was not yet full, and it was conceived more politic that the resistance of the people should be still far- ther justified by the last acts of military violence. This justification was not long wanting. Seve- ral affrays having taken place, arising wholly from the insolence of the soldiery and indignation of the people, at length captain Preston issued out from the state- house with the principal part of the main guard, and the scuffle having become more general and alarming, he ordered his men to fire, by which four of the townsmen were killed. THE alarm bells immediately rung; the drums beat to arms, and an immense multitude rushing together from all quarters, were restrain- ed only by the extraordinary address and persua- sions of the lieutenant governor and other influ- ential characters from attacking the 29th regiment drawn up in order of battle in King street. They were at length prevailed on to disperse on the so- lemn assurance, that the laws should be enforced on the murderers, and after the 29th regiment had been marched to their barracks. But on the following day, as if not satisfied with these assurances, it was unanimously resolved, in an address by the people to the lieutenant governor, '* that the inhabitants and soldiers can no longer live together in safety ; that nothing can ration- ally be expected to restore the peace of the town and prevent farther blood and carnage, but the immediate removal of the troops ; and they there- fore most fervently pray his honour that his pow- 360 HISTORY OF 1770. Virginia assembly, er and influence might be exerted for their in* slant removal," THE answer of the lieutenant governor, altho' i't declared his abhorrence of the late outrage ; although it promised the immediate removal of the -29th regiment, and that the 14th regiment should be so disposed of and laid under such re- strictions, that all occasions of future disturb- ance should be removed," was resolved to be unsatisfactory, and the former vote having been submitted to the council by Mr. Hutchinson, the successor of the late governor, they were unanimously of opinion, " that it was absolutely necessary for his majesty's service, and the good order of the town, and the peace of the province, that the troops should be immediately removed out of the town oi Boston." THIS opinon having been made known to coL Dalrymple, he pledged his honour that prepara- tions should immediately commence for their re- moval, and tranquility was restored. Captain Preston was soon after brought to trial and ac- quitted. MEANWHILE the representatives of the people had, daring their adjournment reflected more maturely on the late assurances of Hillbborough, communicated by the governor, and although they felt no abatement ot their gratitude and at- tachment to this excellent man, they began to en- tertain serious doubts of the sincerity of the mi- nister. Under these impressions a protest was solemnly entered on their journals, expressive of their conviction that partial remedies were in- competent to heal the present disorders.* The * They voted as a protest manifesting their dissatisfac- f iou wiih it, a petition to the king, asserting the rights they VIRGINIA, 361 humane Botetourt, who was himself imposed on CHAP, by the insidious artifices of ministers, was hurt _ at what he regarded a suspicion and impeach. " ment of his honour and veracity. But his exer- tions were notwithstanding unabated, to realize to the colonists the promised blessings. The as- sembly was prorogued to the llth of November in the following year. THIS year died Norborne lord Botetourt, go- vernor of Virginia, a man possessed of every Death and public and private virtue which can adorn hu- man nature. Employed by a corrupt minister on tourt account of his splendid rank and engaging ad- dress, to awe, intimidate or seduce t* e integrity and patriotism of Virginia, he made his public entry as has been already noticed, with the pomp and splendour of majesty itself. He was told that the people of his government were disposed to mutiny and rebellion ; that they were licenti- ous and immoral, and spurntd at the just autho- rity of the parent state. As the difficulties he must encounter were ob/iously great, it was re- presented that great w r ould be the glory of re- claiming them to order and government. He came ; he looked around him ; he judged for him- self. Instead of mutiny, immorality and trea- son, he saw a people, devoted indeed to liberty, and ready to seal their attachment with their had heretofore maintained ; and as individuals, immedi- ately signed an association, in which they were joined by several respectable merchants of the country then met at Williamsburg, by which they renewed their non-impor- tation agreement, with respect to certain enumerated ai ti- des, not of absolu'.e necessity, and engaged to continue it uatil the duty on tea should be repealed. Life of WahingtQr^ jia/4 139, 2X 62 HISTORY OF CHAP, blood; but at the sane time loyal, just, hnman0 8 disposed to affection, and won even b} trifiii g kindress. The ieMilt of tl ese observations was in various shapes transmitted to his government^ and various artifices were used by fallacious hopes and studied delays, to impose at once on the go- Vf-rnor and people of Virginia. Disgusted at length with these hollow assurances, he indig- nantly demanded his recal, and the sense of his own violated honour added to his sorrow 7 for the condition of the colony, preyii;g on a delicate constitution and a keen sensibility, he was taken off by an acute disease after a few days illness, regretted by all as their friend, their benefactor, their father.* * In 1768 lord Botetourt began his administration, as go- vernor in chit f; the first governor, I think, since lord Cul- peper, uho condescended to come to this colony : And he caTie with a sincere hope that he could heal the wounds which Virginia and the other colonies had received. He did his utmost to remove from the minds of the ministry theif suspicion, that Virginia was disposed to throw off fhe go- vernment of Britain, affirming as he did, in letters which he gave open to Peyton Randolph and R. C. Nicholas, and which they read and then sealed with his seal, and sent to lord Hilh borough. I think that the king of Great Britain h;d not more loyal subjects in the whole extent of his do- minions tjian the people of Virginia. And as soon as the oppressive nature of the several taxes laid by the British parliament on the colonies, wns pointed out to him by those pat'iotic gentlemen, he never ceased to mge on the mini- stry the propriety of heir repeal; and cnce had actually obtained such a promise as he thought he could rely on, and with the highest satisfaction ann unced it to the gene- ral assembly. But fit diritr himself deceived by a perfidious jrovi inn e t, he boldlv demanded his recal, and declared tha^ he would not be their ti.ol, or attempt to oppress an in- iH'ceni ai.d virtuous people. He survived this manly exer- cise uf .i.i* ut'gimnt, u.fWnctd n> sentiments of honour and bounu poiuicul justice, but a few months, as he died in VIRGINIA. 363 BY the death of the governor in chief, the go- CHAP, vernment devolved on William Nelson, pre6i- dent of council, and the assembly having been previously prorogued, in order to afford time the fall after, of a billions fever, which I thought was great- ly aggravated by his chagrin and disappointment. He was a generous patron of 'he arts and scimces, giving out of his private purse valuable silver and gokl medals as prizes to the students at college, and paid an incredible atten'i'-n to the p ofessors and students at William and Mary col- lege. For these reasons, most deservedly the general as- sembly erected his statue, as a monument to his memory, in the area of their capitol, although the inscriptions express imperfectly what the members knew and felt. He was easy of access, even to the poorest, whether they called on him thr ugh mere curiosity, as many did, or on business; in either case, such w ;s his happy temper aid disposition, that all left him satisfied. He expedited business in the supreme courts by his early and constant at- tendance ; meeting the councillors on the bench nearly two hours sooner than they had ever been accustouied to meet, and detaining them t' ere an lr the benignity, the liberality, the generous and enlarged views of his predecessor, archbishop Herring." Belsham. t Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the thanks of this house be given to the rev. Mr. Henley, the rev. Mr. Gwat- kia, the rev. Mr. Hewitt, and the rev. Mr. Bland, for the wise and well timed opposition they have made to the per- nicious project of a few mistaken clergymen, for intro- ducing an American bishop; a measure by which much disturb ince, great anxiety and apprehension would certainly take place among his majesty's faithful American subjects; an 1 that Mr. Richard Henry Leeajid Mr. Bland do acquaint them therewith. 366 HISTORY OF CHAP, speak their opinion of a measure so fraught with . j v : michiffand extravagance; and in doing this they * did not forget the exertions of those enlightened ministers, who had protested against it.* * The Protest against the firoceecRnsfS of the convention hold- en at \\~iLliamand, Mxry C3ll?ge t on the 4>'h day of June, 1771. Whereas the following resolution was agreed to 'by a ma- jority of the clergy assembled at the said convention, That a committee be appointed to draw up an address to the king f)r an American episcopate, and the committee shall apply for the hands of the majority of the clergy of this colony, in which, if they succeed, the bishop of London is to be humbly addressed for his concurrence, and requested to present their addrosb to his majesty, but without a concurrence of a ma>- joriiy of the clergy the address not to be transmitted ; and that t'le reverend Messrs. Camm* Wylie, Sky ring and Fon- taine, or any three of them, are appointed d com nittee to prepare the said addresses." We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, and who did vote against the said resolution, do publicity declare our dissent, and protest against it. First, Because as the number of the clergy in this colony is at least a hundred, we cannot conceive that twelve cler- gymen are a sufficient representation of so large a body. Secondly, Because the said resolution contradicts a for- mer resolution of the said convention, which puts a nega- tive upo.i the question, Whether the king should be ad- dressed upon an American episcopate ?" an:l that an assem- bly met up 3n so important an occasion, should rescind are- solution agreed to an 1 entered down but a few minutes be- fore, is, in our apprehension, contrary to all order and de- corum. Thirdly, Because the expression, an American efiiscoftate, includes a jurisdiction over the other colonies, and the cler- gy of Virginia cannot with any propriety petition for a measure which, for aught that appears to the contrary, will materially nff-ct the natural rights and fundamental laws of the said colonies, without their consent and approbation. Fourthly, Because the establishment of an American episcopate, at this time, would tend greatly to weaken the connexion between the mother country and her colonies ; to continue their present unhappy disputes, to infuse jealousies VIRGINIA. 367 A CONSIDERABLE sum* was voted for the re- CHAP. Ijef of great numbers of people at Richmond and fears into the minds of Protestant dissenters, and to give ill disposed persons occasion to raise such disturbances as may endanger the very existence of the British empire in America. Fifthly, Because we cannot help considering it as ex- tremely indecent for the clergy to make such an application without the concurrence of the president, council and repre- sentatives of this province ; an usurpation directly repug- nant to the rights of mankind. Sixthly, Because the bishops of London have always hi- therto exercised ecclesiastical jurisdiction over this colony; and we are perfectly satisfied with the mild, just, and equi- table government of our excellent diocesan, the present lord bishop of London, and do think a petition to the crown to strip his lordship of any part of his jurisdiction but an ill return for his past labours, and contrary to our oath of ca- nonical obedience. We do farther conceive, us it had been unanimously determined by this very convention, that his lordship should be addressed for his opinion relative to this meaMire, the clergy ought to have wailed for his lordship's paternal advice before they proceeded any farther in an affair of such vast importance. Seventhly, Because we have particular objections to that part of the resolution by which the committee are directed to afifily, as it is termed, for the hands of the majority of the clergy in this colony ; a method of proceeding, in our opi- nion, contrary to the universal practice of the Christian church, it having been customary for the clergy to sign acts of an ecclesiastical nature in public convention, whereas the manner of procuring their concurrence now proposed is unworthy the decorum and dignity by which so venerable a body ought ever to be guided. SAMUEL HENLEY, professor of moral philosophy in William and Mary college. TiiOMAS GYVATKIN, professor of mathematicks, and natural philosophy, in Wm.and Mary college. We hear that there is another protest, signed by the rev. Richard Hewitt, rector of Hungai's parish, in Nor hamp- ton, and the rev. Willia n Bland, rtcior of James Ciiy pa- rish, in James City county. * 30,000/. 368 . HISTORY OF Lord Dun- more. and elsewhere, whose tobacco had been damaged in the public ware houses, by an inundation caused by the overflowing of James river. LORD DUN MO RE was removed from the ejo- vernment of New York to that of Virginia. From his conduct subsequent to this appoint- ment, it would seem that this removal was not entirely agreeable to him, Instead of hastening to his new government, which longed to behold a man of whom fame had spoken in flattering terms, he lingered for several months amidst the pleasures and amusements of that gay and wealthy city, and prepared the minds of the Vir- ginians for that jealousy and dislike, which after- wards were changed into the extremest disgust and abhorrence. HE arrived in 1772, having previously sent on his lady and family under the care of his private se- cretary, captain Foy. Foy had distinguished him- self at the battle of Minden, and was one of the three -captains, whom prince Ferdinand had prais- ed for their gallantry on that day. In the present agitation of the public mind, when incidents otherwise trifling and apparently uninteresting, would become from their connection with govern- ment important, it was regarded as matter of speculation, that an officer of reputation, bhould abandon his government of New Hampshire, to which he had been appointed, for the obscuie si- tuation of clerk in Virginia ; and there were not wanting many, who asserted, that the military ta- lents of Foy were to be employed in carrying in- to effect those measures of coercion devised by the British parliament. Other circumstances served tD strengthen those suspicions. To ren- der the situation of Foy more comfortable, new VIRGINIA: fees* were created, unknown to the constitution of the colony, and a salary of 5001. per annum created without the cognizance of the assembly, and directly contrary to established laws and usages. The opinions of the favourite too, on the subject of colonial claims, were highly offen- sive ; opinions which, notwithstanding his sup- posed station of private adviser to his lordship, and the obvious impolicy of the procedure, he used no pains to conceal. SUCH was the situation of affairs when the ga- vernor thought proper to summon an assembly. The first proceedings of this body, after the customary formalities, evince their determined dislike and opposition. An attack was made on the governor, in the person of his secretary, and a list of the fees created for the benefit of clerks, demanded in words strong and explicit. In can- vassing these measures, little ceremony was used; the conduct of the governor was pronounced il- legal, and a committee was immediately appoint- ed to lay before him the sense of the house, List of fees. For county lieutenannt's commission, Colonels, - Lieutenant colonels, Majors, Sheriffs, - - - - Principal inspectors, Assistant inspectors, Coroners, Mediterranean pass, Quarter masters, - - Presentation to a parish, Escheat master, - Commissary of stores, 2Y L. s. d. 200 1 6 1 6 1 5 15 10 O 10 15 00 10 1 6 1 6 A 370 STORY which on this occasion was almost unanimous^ The governor's answer was mild and conciliate- ne f ecs complained of, he understood to have been established by his predecessors, and ought, he said, to be ascribed to his short resi- dence in the country, which had not yet enabled him to acquire that knowledge of the laws and constitution so necessary fora just and able ad- ministration. He concluded by declaring, that the fees should be withdrawn. BUT the haughty spirit of Dunmore struggled hard with his ideas of policy on this occasion, At any other time he would have set the legisla- ture at defiance, and taken shelter under the un- dt finable shield of executive privilege : But it was judged prudent to preserve his small stock of po- pularity for trials of greater importance. The fees of his secretary were rightly regarded as of mi- nor concern compared with the great question of colonial rights, which would in a short time be conttsted. WON by this condescension and seeming mo- deration, the assembly expressed their gratitude in the warmest and most affectionate terms, and were prorogued to the 10th of June following. This was certainly an auspicious omen of future moderation and harmony ; but the popular jea- Icusy was not to be lulled by appearances, howe- ver specious, and the circumstances of the world seemed to justify the utmost vigilance and cir- cumspection amongst the advocates of Ameri- can liberty. THE proceedings of this body gave Dunmore SL distaste to assemblies, and they were accord- ingly prorogued from time to time, on the usual plea set forth in the proclamations, that there was no present occasion for them ; a forgery, how- ever, to an alarming extent, having been detected VIRGINIA. 371 of the paper emission of the colony, the assem- 2HAP. bly was convened for the purpose of devising * v> ., means of guarding against the imposture. The exertions of the governor himself had been prompt and decisive ; but in the apprehension of 9^ the supposed offenders, he had been little atten- tive to those salutary bulwarks of private securi- ty, which form the essence of free government. The assembly of Virginia, true to their charac- ter, did not in their alarm for the safety of tae treasury, forget those principles on which rest the pillars of social order, and in their reply to the governor's communication, they say, " But the proceedings in this case, my lord, thoagh rendered necessary by the peculiar naiure of it, are nevertheless different from the usual mode. The duty we owe our constituents, obliges us, my lord, to be as attentive to the safety of the innocent, as we are desirous of punishing the guilty, and we apprehend that a doubtful construc- tion, and various execution of criminal law, does greatly endanger the safety of the innocent: They conclude by praying, u that the proceedings may not in future be drawn into consequence and ex- ample." The reply of the governor is strongly marked by mortification and resentment. " In ap- prehending," said he, " and bringing to justice the forgers -of your paper currency, I little imagined, when I was endeavouring to punish the guilty, that my conduct could by any means be thought to endanger the safety of the inno- cent." THE representatives having attended to the purity of their civil jTroceedings, directed their scrutiny to the internal and external state of America at large, and with their usual sagacity and spirit, they adopted the following resolutionso 375* HISTORY O* CHAP. " WHERE A s the minds of his majesty's faith* IV - ful subjects in this colony have been much dis " turbed by various rumours and reports of pro- ceedings, tending to deprive them of their an* cient, legal and constitutional rights ; and where- as the affairs of this colony are frequently con- nected with those of Great Britain, as well as of the neighbouring colonies, which renders a com- munication of sentiments necessary : In order, therefore, to remove the uneasinesses, and to quiet the minds of the people, as well as for the other good purposes above mentioned. '* Be it resofoed, That a standing committee of correspondence and inquiry be appointed, to consist of eleven persons, to wit, the honoura- ble Peyton Randolph, esquire, Robert Carter Nicholas, Richard Bland, Richard Henry Lee, Benjamin Harrison, Edmund Pendleton, Patrick Henry, Dudley Digges, Dabney Carr, Archi- bald Gary, and Thomas Jefferson, esquires, any six of whom to be a committee, whose business it shall be to obtain the most early and authentic intelligence of such acts and resolutions of the British parliament, or proceedings of admini- stration, as may relate to or affect the British co- lonies in America; and to keep up and maintain a correspondence and communication with our sister colonies, respecting these important con- siderations, and the result of such their pro- ceedings, from time to time, to lay before the house. " Resolved, That it be an instruction to the said committee, that they do, without delay, inform themselves particularly of the principle and au- thority on which was constituted a court of in^ <]uiry, said to have been lately held in Rhode Island, with powers to transport persons accused VIRGINIA. 373 of offences committed in America, to places be- CHAP. yond the seas to be tried. * v> . " Resolved, That the speaker of this house do transmit to the speakers of the different as- semblies of the British colonies on this conti- nent, copies of the said resolutions, and desire that they will lay them before their respective as- semblies, and request them to appoint some per- son or persons, of their respective bodies, to communicate from time to time with the said committee." THIS generous attention of Virginia to the gene- ral interest of all the colonies, so distant from the selfish policy but too apt to influence rival states, produced every where at this time a sentiment of tender respect and just admiration, alike due to her conspicuous patriotism, and as being the most ancient American possession. The Mas- sachusetts legislature, speaking of her late re- solves, dwell on the wise and firm conduct of Virginia "at all times." THE assembly of Rhode Island conclude one of their resolves by the words, " the glorious assembly of Virginia." To her was every where allowed the honourable praise of having origi- nated every capital measure since the commence- ment of the disputes, and having supported them all with a constancy and wisdom nowise inferior to the ardour with which they had been adopted. Nor was this done with any parade or assump- tion of superiorty. THE governor, meanwhile, proceeded on a party of pleasure to the back settlements. Attract- ed as it was then thought solely by curiosity, he remained sometime at Pittsburg, and observed with nice attention the nature of the country, the circumstances of the people, and the tribes of 374 HISTORY OF Indians contiguous to the frontiers. Every art o! affability and condescension was played off, on this occasion, to conciliate the inhabitants, and frequent consultations of a private nature took place- between him and a man of the name of Conolly, who about this time was made a ma- gistrate, and invested as commissioner among the Indians with considerable powers. Conolly was possessed of much sagacity, and was known as the discoverer of the bones of the mammoth on the Big Bone Lick at the falls of the Ohio. Some taste, an intimate knowledge of Indan affairs, a considerable knowledge of the world, and a lax morality, pointed him out to Dunmore as a fit instrument for executing plans of division and blood, which unhappily for Britain had been de- cided on in their depraved and phrenetic councils. THIS project was of no less extent than to en- gage Virginia and Pennsylvania in a civil war about their territorial boundary, and to rouse once more to arms the warlike tribes of savages, whose fury had so often deluged the western set- tlements with blood. Those states obliged to at- tend to their immediate safety, would withdraw their attention from the abstract usurpations of parliament, and the governor being at the head of the troops of the colony, might act either with indecision or vigour, according to the na- ture of circumstances. The plan being at length fully decided on, Dunmore retraced his steps to Wiliiamsburg, and Conolly immediately com- menced his part against Pennsylvania, by se- ducing several of its inhabitants from their allegi- ance, and forming settlements on parts of its ter- ritory under patents from the governor of Virgi- nia. As part of this drama, an address from several hundred persons inhabiting the lands tc VIRGINIA. 375 the westward of the Lawrel Hills was presented CHAP. to the governor on the road, disclaiming all alle- giance to Pennsylvania, and praying that they might be admitted as members of the colony. These measures were calculated to excite the re- sentment of Pennsylvania ; Con oily was taken and held in confinement, and the settlers were secured and punished as vagrants and outlaws. A FULL representation of these several cir- cumstances, was made by the governor to the council on his arrival, and he laboured hard by alarming their pride as Virginians, and by in- flaming their resentment by an exaggerated state- ment of Pennsylvanian violence,* to procure a levy of troops for enforcing the rights of Virgi- nia. But Dunmore was completely ignorant of the grounds and merits of the dispute respecting boundaries between the two colonies, whilst the council on the other hand were absolute masters of the question, and by .their advice, but much to his dissatisfaction, a moderate but firm re- monstrance was forwarded to Pennsylvania, de- manding the release of her citizens, and submit- ting their disputes to his majesty. Dunmore had previously issued a proclamation, dictated in l.mguage of haughtiness and incivility which was repelled with decent but decided firmness. THE arrival of lady Dunmore, with a nume- rous family of sons and daughters, from New York, afforded Virginia an occasion of manifest- ing that true politeness and decent respect for female worth which are inseparably connected with bravery and intelligence. Several respect- ful addresses were presented to his lady, congra- tulatory of her arrival, and replete with favour- able wishes for her happiness and health. The assembly, which soon after convened, united in HISTORY OF jl these wishes, and the governor himself was con- gratulau d by the council and house ol burgesses on an t\trit so well calculated to augment his do- mestic happiness. AGRFEABLY to the plan which had been for 1774. some rime adopted , of enfeebling the energy of the colonies, by the introduction of aristocratic titles aid distinctions, rules of precedency were drawn up urdtr the special direction of the he- raid, determining the rank of the civil and mili- tary officers and their ladies, and were officially published a short time previous to the meeting of the assembly. BUT in the present grand agitation of public sentiment, these impertinencies were held as ut- terly beneath public notice ; for the Boston port bill and other severe disabilities, to which the virtuous inhabitants of Massachusetts were sub- jected by acts of the British parliament, had ta- ken entire possession of every heart, and exclud- ed every feeling beside sympathy for their suffer- ings and resentment of their wrongs. LORD NORTH, in his insidious project, falsely termed conciliatory, had taken off the obnoxious duties, with the exception of three pence per pound on tea, which was reserved for the avow- ed object of legalizing and drawing into a prece- dent the pretensions of parliament. As an in- ducement to the East India Company, who had ten millions of pounds of this commodity lying in their stores, to embark in this trade directly in the teeth of the American association, a draw- back was allowed equarl to the amount of the du- ties at the custom house, and the crisis at length approached when America must either submit to the unjust claims of her enemies, or by some bqld and daring action intimidate or conquer their VIRGINIA. 371 oppressors. She did not for a moment hesitate CHAP, which alternative to adopt, and a resolution was every where formtd of sending back or destroy- ing the tea at the hazard of every consequence. In Pennsylvania and South Carolina, the con- signees were compelled to store the tea on the express condition that it should not be sold, and that it should be re- shipped the first opportunity. In most cases, the vessels containing the obnoxi- ous article were not permitted to unload. In Boston, where every measure of coercion appear- ed to be carried to an extremity by parliament, the conduct cf the people was still more deci- ded. The governor having refused to give a clearance at the custom house, although solicited by the consignees, to the ship conveying this commodity, a number of citizens, habited as Mohawk Indians, repaired on board and dis- charged 240 chests of this abhorred and parlia- mentary poison into the sea. THIS bold measure drew down upon the town of Boston the whole weight of ministerial ven- geance. Deprived of her commerce, beset with military violence, her citizens subjected to trans- portation to England or elsewhere for trial, she was at this moment threatened with famine, and suffering all those extremities resulting from martial law and lawless usurpation. IT was hoped by these proceedings to break the spirit of that province, and terrify the other colonies by her example. L.une and infatuated politicians, they were not acquainted with the American character. THE first intelligence of these flagrant op- pressions produced throughout the American colonies one unanimous determination to make a common cause with their suffering sis- 2Z -378 HISTORY OF CHAP. IV. dissolved. 1774 May 27. ter. The assembly of Virginia was in session when the rough draughts oi the obnoxious bill were crn;ir;unicattd in a letter from Massachu- setts, ard as ii ever} other subject had been ut- terly in. worthy their consideration at this crisis, they pitLteced w i h one consent to an inquiry into this intcietih t.-ul ject. An animated protest was immediate ly t ntereel on their journals against the latt acts, width resulted, the) affirmed, from a determined system to reduce the inhabitants of British America to slavery. Whilst engaged in these animate- d proceedings:, they weie suddenly summoned by the governor to the council cham- ber, who hastily addressed them in the following words : Mr* Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Bur- gpsse?, " I have in my hand a paper published by order of }our house, conceived in such terms as re- flect highly upon his majesty and the parliament of Great Britain, which makes it necessary for n.e to dissolve you, and you are dissolved ac- cordingly." On the follow ing day the members met by agree- rrent, at the long room in the Hakigh tavern, when the following agreement was unanimously enten d into. 44 WE, his majest) 's most dutiful and loyal sub- jects, the late lepiestntatives of the got d people of this country, having been deprived, by the si'f'den interposition d the executive part of this g' ve-rr.ire nt. ii om gSvirg- cur countrymen the ad- v ee- \ c w-iihed to convt) to them in a legislative ci ]'-i-( i:y, iii.d (.nrselvts. under the hard necessity cf i-d(;|sir,^ i his, ll:c cnly method we have left, of oiiAlnf out lo cur countrymen such mea- VIRGINIA, 37 sure* as, in our opinion, are best fitted to se- CHAP. cure our dearest lights and liberty from de- struction, by the heavy hand of power now lifted against North America. Witii much grief we fiiid that our dutiful applications to Grtat Bri- tain for security of our just, arcient, and con- stitutional rights, have been not only disregarded, but that a determined sjstem is formed and pres- sed tor reducing the inhabitants of British Ame- rica to slavery, by subjecting them to the pay- ment of taxes, imposed without the consent of the people or their representatives ; and that in pursuit of this system we find the act of the Bri- tish parliament lately passed, for stopping the harbour and commerce of Boston, in our sister colony of Massachusetts Bay, until the people there submit to such unconstitutional taxes, and which act most violently and arbitrarily deprives them of their property, in wharves erected by private persons, at their own great and proper ex- pense ; which act is, in our opinion, a most dan- gerous attempt to destroy the constitutional li- berty and rights of all North America. It is farther our opinion, that as tea, on its importa- tion to America, is charged with a duty, i in- posed by parliament for the purpose of raising a revenue, without the "consent ci the people, it ought not to be used by any person who wishes well to the constitutional rights and liberty of Bri- tish America. And whereas the India Company have ungenerously attempted the ruin of Ame- rica, by sending manv ii.ir/j loaded wit.ii. tea into the colonies, thereby intending to fix a prece- dent in favour of arbitrary taxation, we dee in it highly proper, and do accordingly recommend it strongly to our countrymen, nor to purchase or use any kind of East India commodity whatso- ever, except salt-petre and spices, until the griev- 380 HISTORY OF ances of America are redressed. We are farther clearly of opinion, that an attack made on one of our sister colonies, to compel submission to ar- bitrary taxes, is an attack made on all British America, and threatens ruin to the rights of al! 5 unless the united wisdom of the whole be ap- plied. And for this purpose it is recommended to the committee of correspondence, that they communicate with their several corresponding committees on the expediency of appointing de- puties from the several colonies of British Ame- rica, to meet in general congress, at such place annually as shall be thought most convenient ; there to deliberate on those general measures which the united interests of America may from time to time require. u A tender regard for the interests of our fel- low subjects, the merchants and manufacturers of Great Britain, prevents us from going farther at this time ; most earnestly hoping that the un- constitutional principle of taxing the colonies without their consent, will not be persisted in, thereby to compel us, against our will, to avoid all commercial intercourse with Britain. Wish- ing them and our people free and happy, we are their affectionate friends^ the late representa- tives of Virginia." " THE above was immediately signed by the honourable the speaker and all the members of the late house of burgesses, as well as by a num- ber of clergymen and other inhabitants of the colony, who, after having maturely considered the contents of the association, did most cordi- ally approve and accede thereto." MEANWHILE the plan of Dunmore began ra- pidly to unfold itself. Emboldened by the ter- ritorial disputes between Pennsylvania and Vir- VIRGINIA, ginia, and those c.-iitrovemes of a still higher CHAP. nature p the mother country and m * th- : too for their own safety thrir remaining possessions by the mysterious hi I artful discourses of C .) it * i habited the vast cc f the B' T -h- ments, commer ii s i f i series of shock ing enorm ities, the b ir: Hdian warfare. Parties of .ttilitix i-i vain assembled to repel and i we th^be incursions; tii ^-pt away, whiUt the defenceless inhabitants, consisting of the aged, the women, and the children, who were not abie to retire wkh sufficient celerii fore the inundation, were inhumanly butchered, or hurried away into a c worse thane BUT t ie great mnss of the peopl r>t as formerly benumbed and palsied by the sound of I: dmn war. The agitation universally ex by the alarming pretensions of the British parlia- ment, had communicated an energy and lan,.e, a resolution and concert amongst them be- come necessary for the arduous duties w they wer^ every dav liable to be called on to dis- charge ; arid on the first rumours they discover. ed tne higheht ardour and impatience to march out against the perpetrators of these shocking- arid bvutual enormi KOJSED iy the military ardour and indifr tion which spread like a blaze through the colo- ny, the governor at length aficcted to catch the throb of military ar : i the glow of a virtuous resentment and indignation. The counties most c^ ; nemy were sum- mo'. ion to furnish their quo' of three thousand men formed wilh a celerity proportion-id to the u 382 HISTORY OF CHAP. C y of the crisis, and honourable to the judgment IVt and activity of the government. BUT another object of even superior magni- tude now eng iged the attention of the people. Their late deputies, on th-rir dissolution, recom- mended a convi-nd'jn to meet at Williamsburg on the first day of An *u>t and town and coun- try meetings every \viure took place for the pur- pose of iioiniiiiti.rr d;p uies to this body. No- thing could exceed tue public unanimity on this O3casioii, nor ths vn i-^ulhie expression of their eloquence;* and tht; deputies agreeably to appointment* convened. THE proceedings}- of this bo ly were few, but in the highest degree nervous and impressive, * Life and Liberty never shall bejiartcd. This is the motto of the country, and we are unalterably determined never to part with our liberties, let the ex- pense ot defending them be what it may. We are told that the ministry of Britain talk of taking av/ay our Char. ter. 1 Enemies to Gvl and man ! do they they think that we vill su'jinit to tyranny in our land ? The country which our utiiers purchased with their blood, we will defend with our blood. A COUNTRYMAN. t A: a very full meeting of delegates from the different coun- ties in ttc C'jhny u:i''i dimiwbn uf Virginia) begun in Wii- liamsburg the first day of Auguy!) iu the year of our Lord 1774, a.T/ continued b:j several adjournments to Saturday the sixth rf the same month, the folhwing Association ivao unanimously resolved ufion and agreed t?. We, l:is majesty's duliful and loyal subjects, the dele- tctites of the freeholders of Virginia, deputed to represent ^t a g^nt-ral meeiing in the city of Williamsburg 1 , -.v j..vinj.j our inviolable a>ul unshaken fidelity and attachment f) our nv)3t gracious sovereign, our regard and afllctioh for s :-j r.id fwllow subjscts in Great Britain and else- VIRGINIA. 383 They entered into a detailed view of their rights CHAP, and grievances. Different modes of redress were * suggested and adopted, and a determined reso- lution was announced, at all hazards nrver to abandon the sacred cause in which they had en- gaged. where* protesting against every act or thing which may have the most distant tendency to interrupt, or in anywise disturb, his majesty's peace, end the good order of govern- ment within this his uncicrt cr lor y, which we are resolved to maintain and defend at the risk of pur lives and fortunes ; but, at the same time, affected with the deepest anxiety, and most alarming apprehension*, of those grievances and distresses by which his majesty's American subjects are oppressed ; and having taken under our most serious deli- beration the state of the whole continent, find that the pre- sent unhappy situation of our affairs is chiefly occasioned by certain i!l advised regulations, as well of our trade as inter- nal polity, introduced by several urconslitu'ional acts of the British parliament, and st leng'.h attempted to be enforced by the hand r=f p^ver. Sdely influenced by these import- ant considerations, wethirk it an indispensable duly which we owe to our country, ourselves, and latest posterity, to guard aga nst such dangerous i.i\ti extensive mischiefs by every jus: anl proper means. I*', by '.he measures adopted, some unhappy consequences and inconveniences should be derived to our feilow sub- jects, whom we wish not to injure in the smallest degree, we hope and flatter.' ursHves that they nil] impu'e them to their reai cau<-e, the haul necessity to which they are driven. T -it thr i'-ood people- of this colony may, on so trying an occasion, continue stedfostly diiectedto their most essen- tial interests, in hopes thai they will be influenced and sti- mulated bv our example to the greaest industry, the strict- est economy and fi ugality, and the exercise of every pub- lic virtue; persuaded that the merchants, manufacturers, and other inhabitants of Great Britain, and above all, that the British parliament wii> be convinced how much the true interest of that kingdom must depend on the restoration ar-d contiunance of that mu u the deputies of the several counties, that committees be chosen in each county* by such persons as accede to this association, to lake effectual care that these resolves be properly observed, and for corresponding occa- sionally with the general committee of correspondence in the c-ity of Williamsburg. Provided, that if exchange should rise, such advances may be made in the price of goods as shall be approved by the committee of each colony. 8thly. In order the better to distinguish such worthy mer- chants and traders who are well wishers to the colony from those who may attempt, through motives of self-interest, to to obstruct our views, we do hereby resolve, that we will not, after the first day of November next, deal with any merchant or trader who will not sign this association, nor until he hath obtained a certificate of his having done so from the county committee* or any three members thereof. Ani if any merchant, trader, or other person, shall import any goods or merchandise alter the first day of November, cnmrtry to this, association, we give it as our opinion that such goods and merchandise should be either forthwith ie- shipped or dclvtud up to the county committee, to be stored at the risk of the importer, unless such importer shall give a proper assurance to the said commute that such goods or merchandises shall not be sold within this colony d ring the cm timiance of tin's association ; and if such irn- p rur shall rduve to amply with one or the other of these teims. upon application at d clue cauiion i>ivtn to him, or her, by the said committee, or any three members thereof, VIRGINIA. nation to resist the tyrannical measures of the British parliament. Contributions in money and provisions where every where voluntarily sub- scribed for the relief the inhabitants of Boston, whose cause was declared to be that of all Bri- tish America, and the public aitention directed such committee is required to publish the truth of the case in the gazettes, and in the county where he or she resides, and we will thereafter consider such person or persons a$ inimical to this country, and break off every connection and ail dealings with them. 9thiy. Resolved, that if any person or persons shall ex- port tobacco, or any oiher co nmoditv, to Great Britain, after the lOlh day of Aug. 1775, contrary to this association, we shall hold ourselves obliged to consider such person or per- sons as inimical to the community, and a-? an afifirover of American grievances; and give it as our opinion, that the public should be advertised of his conduct, as in the 8th ar- ticle is desired. lOthly. Being fully persuaded that the united wisdom of the general congress may improve these endeavours to pre- serve the rights and liberties in British America, we decline enlarging at present ; but do hereby resolve, that we will conform to and strictly observe, all such alterations or addi- tions, assented to by the delegates for this colony, as they may judge necessary to adopt, after the same shall be pub- lished and made known to us. I Ithly. Reiolv;d, that we think ourselves called upon by every principle of humanity and brotherly affection, to ex- tend the utmost and speediest relief to our distressed fellow subjects in the town of Boston ; and therefore most earnestly reconvnend it to all the inhabitants of this colony to make such liberal contributions as they can afford, to be collected and "emitted to Boston in such manner as may best answer a desirable pnrpose. I2thly, and lastly. Resolved, that the moderator of this meeting, and incase of his death, Robert Carter Nicholas, esq. be empowered on any future occasion that may in his opinion require, to convene the several delegates of this colony, at such time and place as he may judee proper; and in case of the death or absence of any delegate, it is re- commended that another be chosen in his place. 388 HISTORY pF to the manufacture of arms and ammunition, and to military discipline. The usual games and sports of the people were evey suspended, and the human mind was prepared by a variety of judicious publications, and by the animated discourses of popular orators, for a great and ap- proaching conflict : Faces characterized by ar- dour and determination were every where to be s^en, and the sound of warlike preparation was heard throughout the land. THE governor meanwhile appeared to be busy in preparing for an Indian war, an object to which from its imminent danger and its barbarous atro- cities, the public attention was now strongly di- rected. The plans of the governor were not yet mature, but all the arguments in favour of a longer delay were exhausted, and the public im- patience and indignation would no longer be con- troule d ; under these circumstances the governor directed the immediate march of the troops, one part of which in order to take advantage of cir- cumstances, he was resolved to command in person. AN express arrived at this time from the go- vernor, that he had made a treaty with the Six Nations and their cousins, the Delawares, who had disclaimed all share in the outrages perpe- trated by the Shawanese and their confederates: The proceedings on this occasion were conduct- ed as usual with Indian formalities ; the hatchet was buried, belts of wampum interchanged and the chain of friendship, according to their figu- rative expression, cleared of rust and brighten- ed : But the conduct of these tribes, notwith- standing these professions, was not entirely free from suspicion. It was believed that they had co-operated with their allies, and that their appa- rently pacific disposition proceeded either from VIRGINIA. 389 fear, or a wish to paralize the vigour of military CHAP, operations, by holding out the shew of friend- _ ship. MEANWHILE the representatives of the Ame- American rioan congress convened agreeably to appoint- congress, ment at Philadelphia, and Peyton Randolph, late speaker of the Virginia assembly, was cho- sen speaker. EEERY thing was expected from the meeting of this celebrated body. To organize a govern- ment ; to draw out the ele ments of moral sci- ence for the establishn.ent of a system, which should unite the properties of strength and beau- ty ; to steer clear of the storms of passion and the arts of faction ; to give their constituents the example of their own lives ; to aid the laws in stopping the growth of anarchy ; to inspire a love of country and of glory ; to rouse the genius of the nation, and direct its eagle flights to pur- poses of grandeur and utility ; such were the sa- cred duties which were expected from this ce- lebrated association. They had to deliberate too, seated on a volcano, and in the midst of arms ; their bosoms would be alternately assailed by the mingled sensations of tenderness and sorrow, of terror and indignation ; they would have to mark the horrors and waste of batde, the patient suf- fering and determined courage of the oppressed, and the temporary triumph of the oppressor ; to mourn the death of the brave, to consecrate their memory by the balm of public gratitude, to bla- zon their exploits for the example of posterity. And nobly did they realize those expectations. THEN for the first time were exhibited on the national theatre, the dignified figure of Wash- ington, his mind strong in integrity ; too proud to be corrupted ; too stubborn for seduction ; prepossessing every beholder with an involuntary 590 HISTORY OF CHAP, sentiment of respect by the uncouth graces 6f IV - his figure, and the unaffected dignity ofhis man- ners. The imagination of Henry, spreading like a blaze amongst his audience, and drama- tizing every incident, which he touched, by the magic influence of his manner. The profound capacity of Pendleton, untaught in schools, yet seizing as it were by intuition, the mysteries of his subject. Then was admired the philosophic ardour of Jefferson, smitten with the elegancies of literature, and fired with the passion of mak- ing his country the rival of civilized Europe * The prompt and lively Lee, the courageous Han- cock, the equally courageous, ardent and inde- fatigable Adams ; the striking and singular pe- culiarities of Franklin, whose mind by a na- tural aptitude became familiar with every sub- ject, by a sort of creative principle raised it- self from nothing to the heights of science, and which, equally hostile to the mysteries of politics and electricity, snatched the lightning from the heavens and the sceptre from the gripe of ty- rants. Then too, was admired the generous pro- digality of Morris, sustaining by his own private resources the credit of his country ; the sincere though courtly Randolph ; the lav/ knowledge of John Adams, wonderfully exerted to enforce the liberties of this country. But this assembly, great though it was, exhibited but a single con- stellation in the American heavens ; every state had its group of stars. Eminent men in every department were starting up, who were before invisible. It appeared as if the breath of the Almighty had animated statues of clay or mar- ble, for the purpose of accomplishing the decrees of his providence. THE business of the meeting was opened by Patrick Henry, in a speech which left a deep and VIRGINIA. 391 indelible impression on his hearers. It was not CHAP, a dissertation in detail of American wrongs : That subject had been exhausted by incessant repetition for the last ten years. Every man in the country was familiar with it. It was rather a solemn appeal to their feelings and judgment ; an harangue in the manner of antiquity : Such as might have been spoken to the Roman senate when P) rrhus or Hannibal had entered Italy. He was followed by K. H. Lee in a strain of corres- ponding sentiment. Nothing could exceed the so- lemnity of the scene, and when we associate the anxious attention of thirteen states, of Britain herself, and indeed of the civilized world, to their deliberations; when we take in their own personal feelings, their reflections on the novelty and boldness of their situation; their apprehen- sions of the result, mingled with their hopes and their ambition, perhaps it is not too much to say, that no single situation ever surpassed it in inter- est and sublimity. No levities had place here, no play of words, no light and sportive expres- sions ; not a smile was to be seen ; their language was suited to their feelings and situation, grand, solemn and sublime. COMMITTEES were appointed to prepare a de- claration of rights, and a statement of such as had been infringed by acts of parliament ; also, a petition to the king and address to the people of Great Britain, to the inhabitants of the province of Quebec, and to the twelve colonies represent, ed in congress. These performances, drawn up in a stile so masterly as to challenge competition with any of their kind in the old world, were adopted by the house. It was at the same time unanimously resolved, " tint contributions from all the colonies, for supplying ihe necessities and alleviating the distresses of our brethren at 392 HISTORY OF CHAP. Boston, ought to be continued, in such manner, IV- and so long as their occasions may require ;' ? and resolutions were entered into suspending the importation of goods from G. Britain and Ireland, or any of their dependencies, and of their manu- factures from any place whatever, after the first day of the succeeding December, and against the purchase or use of such goods. It was also determined, that all exports to Great Britain, Ireland and the West Indies, should cease on the 10th of September, 1775, unless American grievances should be redressed before that time. Letters were also addressed to the colonies of St. John's, Nova Scotia, Georgia, and the Flo- ridas, inviting them to unite in the common cause of British America. The business before them being completed, the house dissolved it- self, having previously recommended another congress to meet on the 10th day of the succeed- ing May. MEANWHILE the army had marched in two Battle of divisions towards the Ohio. The greater part of Point Plea- this body was composed of prime riflemen, and. sant. a u were considered as the most expert woodsmen in Virginia. They were drawn principally from the counties of Augusta, Botetourt, Bedford, and Fincastle, and from the inhabitants of the frontiers dispersed and ruined by Indian outrages. For reasons which could not be understood, this army, which if kept together, would have car- ried every thing before it, was formed into two detachments, and lo-d Dun more having dispatch- ed colonel Andrew Lewis with 1500 men towards the mouth of Great Kanhaway, proceeded at the head of another and more powerful body higher up the Ohio, with the view, as it is pretended, of getting in the rear of the enemy, and des- taging thtir towns. The distance at which he VIRGINIA. 39 Snoved, no less than seventy, five miles from the CHAP, other division, was considered as too great for any efficient co operation ; and it was matter of serious regret to Lewis and the brave men under his command, that on approaching the centre of the enemy's power, they should be deprived of the assistance of more than half the army, by plans whose scope and object appeared to all ut- terly preposterous and incomprehensible. The division of Lewis had now reached Poiut Plea- sant, at the mouth of the Great Kanhaivay, when intelligence was brought in that a large pany of Indians were approaching within less than one mile of the camp, and the account was instantly confirmed by the scouts, several of whom, al- though wounded, hud escaped the fury of the enemy. Thei e was no time to be lost. An ad- vance of 300 men, under the command of colo- nels Lewis and Fleming, was orded to the attack, assisted by captains Dickenson, Uurison, Wil- son, I. Lewis, Lockridge, Burford, Love, Shel- ves , and Russell. Lewis commanding the first division, marched to the right at some distance from the Ohio ; Fleming, with the second divi- sion, to the left on the banks of that river. The front of the right wing was attacked at sun rise, about an half a mite from the camp, by the united force of the Shawanese, I) e la wares, M in goes, and Tawas, amounting to ljUO men. In this dreadful attack, conducted with ail t.he subtlety and precision of Indian war; the fi r-ig UMS in- cessant and the slaughter prodigious. A; mo it in the very commencement of the ac;ion, Lewis was mortally wounded ; several of tne men were killed, and the whole of the division, ua ;bie to (endure the heavy fire of tne enemy, give way. The firing was scarcely heard on uie right, vv^ca 5 13 HISTORY OF the division of Fleming was attacked also in front, by anothe r boch of savages equally power- fill, and the e fleet was almost the same. Flem- ing, after receiving two balls through his left wrist, continued to animate his men, and pre- served the most admiiable coolness and presence of mind. His advice, repeated often in a loud voice to his sddiers, was not to retire an inch, but continually advance and outflank the enemy, and if possible to get between them and the ri- ver. A short time after the commencement of the action, both parties were entirely covered, and the most astonsihing precision took place on both sides. BY the advice of Fleming, the Virginians were accustomed to hold their hats from behind the trees, which being mistaken by the enemies for their heads, were shot at : The hats were imme- diately dropped, and the Indian supposing that he had killed his man, ran up for the purpose of taking off* his scalp, when he was instantly dis- patched. The commander at length, whilst ani- mating his men, received a third shot through the right lobe of his lungs ; but his unconquera- ble spirit would not permit him to retire, and his division conforming to his advice, continued slowly to advance and outflank the enemy, They were themselves, however, in danger of being taken in flank by the body which had defeated the division of Lewis, when a reinforcement un- der colonel Held seasonably came up, and the contest along trie whole line was renewed with the utmost fury. The Indians now befran to give way; but every inch of ground was still con- tested, and by a fatality this day common to the commanders, colonel Field was killed whilst leading the pur.-uit. The Indians, about one o'clock, having reached a position extremely 'dif- VIRGINIA. 39 ficult of access, once more made a stand, from CHAP, which it was at present thought unadvisable to attempt their dislodgement. Tne troops halted as they were then formed, and rested on their arms. The whole line extending aboat one mile and a quarter, had sustained a constant and equal weight of the action from wing to wing, and a scattering fire still continued on both sides until half an hour after sunset, when the enemy made good their retreat in safety and without being pursued. THE loss of men in this engagement, which lasted from the rising to the setting of the sun, will be considered as trifling by those who are unacquainted with Indian warfare. It should be remembered that both parties were covered during the greater part of the day, and their astonished precision may be collected from the loss of officers. Of the three field officers two were killed on the spot, and a third wounded in three places. More than half the captains and subalterns were killed or wounded. The total of killed and wounded amounted only to one hundred and forty, fifty three of which were amongst the slain : Another evidence of the ex- traordmary precision is, that almost all the killed and wounded on both sides, were shot in the head and breast. THE evening after the battle, an express ar. rived from the governor, with instructions for co- lonel A. Lewis to join them in the neigbourhood of the Shawanese towns, a distance of nearly 80 miles, and where his route would lie through a country hostile, difficult of access, and swarm- ing with Indians. As his lordship must have been ignorant of the late victory, these instruc- tions were regarded as extraordinary, it having been previously determined that both detach. HISTORY OF CHAP. Vnents should approach each other, for the pur- _ x i v po^e of inciosu'g the Indians, and Intercepting " tlu-ir retreat; aiid u -u oicion prevailed after- wards*, confirmed ^y the disclosure of Conolly's agenc) , that the division under Lewis was devot- ed to destruction, for the purpose of breaking the the spirit of Virginia, and rendering the influ- ence and reputation of the governor brighter and mo*e efficient. MEANWHILE colonel Lewis, anxious to avenge the deuth of his brother, and in obedi- en e to ihe wishes of the army, all of whom were animated by the same spirit, proceeded to the destiuetK.noi .he Sh r !wai*ese villages; but on his way he wa*> stopt by an express, informing him that the Indians had procured a peace from the governor, on condition that the lands on this side the river Ohio should be forever ceded to the whites; that their prisoners should be delivered up, and that four hostages should be immediate- ly given for the faithful performance of these conditions. WHILST engiged in adjusting the terms of the peace, it was perceived by lord Dunmore and his party, that Logan, a Mi ago chief of great celebrity, did not make his appearance among the deputies, and apprehensions were entertained that the treaty would be insecure without the sanction of his name ; or that he kept himself aloof, that he might be at liberty to engage in Fresh hostilities. Logan was equally renowned for hospitality and courage, and previous to the late war, had been the steadfast friend of the whites, whose vast superiority in arts and inven- tion, had been objects of admiration to his saga- cious but untutored mind. As an orator and counsellor, he had been conspicuous in the coun- cils of the Indians ; but in the war, contrary to VIRGINIA. his past habits and principles, his hostility against CHAP. the Virginians had not been only steady and vio- _ v> lent, but savage, pitiless and inexorable, and it " appeared as if he wished to obliterate every ves- tige of ancient benefits, in the number, variety and savtigeness of his recent murders. Some attempts had been made to account for a change So extraordinary : It was variously rumoured that the family of Logan had been killed in cold blood by a party of Virginians, headed by cap- tain Cresap, or a man of the name of Greathouse, and that the venerable chieftain, shocked at a trea- chery and cruelty af.ended by so m my circum- stances of aggravating baseness, had devoted him- self to revenge. But this was only rumour, and amidst the hurry and tumult of war, no inquiry ears to have been m idc imo the transaction. At length a man appeared in the absembly bea.i'ig in his hand a letter with the s'ginture of Lo^an. He found it tied, he said, to a war ciub in a cabin at some distance from the lines. I- was address to lord Dunmore, and was couched in the fol- lowing words. " I APPEAL to iny white man to say, if ever he entered Logan ':> cabin hungry, anrl he ^ive him not meat : if ever he came cold and naked, and he cloathed him not. During the course ;f the last long and bloociy war Logan remained idle this cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was y love for the whites, that my countryman pointed as they parsed, and said-, * Logan is ^ friend of white men.' I had even thought to have lived with you, but for the injuries of on- mm. Colonel Cresap, the last spring, in cold bio:; and unprovoked, murdered ail the relations of Logan, not even sparing my women and chil- dren. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This called on me 398 HISTORY OF CHAP, for revenge. I have sought it : I have killed __ many : 1 have fully glutted my vengeance : "" lor my country I rejoice at the beams of peace. Buc do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy oi tear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his neei to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan ? Not one." NOTHING can be imagined more venerable than the strain of tender and lof;y sentiment run- ning througn ttiis short address. Parts of it rise into the highest order of moral sublimity : It re- minds us of Oosian, *' the last of his race ;" of Fmgal " in the last of his fields," Subsequent inquiries attest the veracity of Logan : But an elaborate statement of this interesting transaction will be found in " Jefferson's Notes on Virgi ma," a book with which it should be presumed ever)' American is acquainted. APPENDIX, General Reflections. L iterature. Manners. Commerce Revenues. THE last fifty years } although fora consider- able portion of that time deficient in interesting- matter, contain several particulars which fully en- title them to attention. During the whole of the ;er-i. comprised between the project of Spots- u.-jocl and its successful accomplishment, in 1763, the growth of Virginia was unusually rapid, and although the arts by no means kept pace v/ith VIRGINIA. 3S commerce during this aera, they too gradually ad- CHAP, vanced, and their infant specimens g:ive a pro- mise of maturity and glory. MR. STITH'S history of Virginia has been al- ready noticed ; a work which, although its scope is much more narrow, and the affairs of which it treats of far less dignity, is little, if any thing, inferior in execution to lord Clarendon's history of the civil disputes in England. THE scheme of education had gradually be- come more liberal, and men of erudition attracted by the rising fame of the colony and trfe generous patronage held out by the legislature, abandoned their countries, and became professors in the uni- versity. The} came recommended by the bishop of London, and were generally ministers of the gospel, Irom an idea prevalent in Europe, that the established religion should become a neces- sary part of public instruction, and that there was less to be apprehended from heresy and infi- delity, when the principal stations were filled by the licensed champions of orthodoxy. Now and then, however, in spite of the jealous scrutiny of the metropolitan, some unbeliever would steal into the fold, and notwithstanding the decided preference to the church, superior genius would sometimes recommend a lay professor. This was the case particularly in the mathematical de- partment, for which the divines were generally incompetent. It having long been the habit with that class to content themselves with the portion of academic information barely requisite for their degrees: Some Greek and Latin, and some- times a smattering of Hebrew, with abundance of logic and theology. DURING a considerable portion of this asra, this department was filled by Mr. Small, to the great benefit of Virginia. Almost all those emi- 400 HISTORY OF CHAP, nent spirits who figured in this and the succeding _J V - _ era, were formed by this admirable man, and whatever may have been subsequently his princi- ples of government, it cannot be a mauer of in- difference to this able philosopher, the friend and companion ot the poetic aiid philosophic Dar- win, that his pupils in America should have rais- ed so high their own feme arid the glory of their country. ABOUT the same time were forming in Penn- sylvania souls of corresponding vigour and capa- t\ . The^liberul and learned Logan ; the humble Godfrey, fated like the invtntor of the mariner's compass, to lose tin fame as well as iht rewards of his discovery ;' the self- -aught Franklin; the self taught and modest Hittei house, who may be stiled the Newton ol America. IN 1736 the first newbpapei was published at William^burg, under the cliieetion of a Mr. Purdie. The province was before indebted to the g tzettes of Boston and Pemibj ivun?a, and a lew of the richer class were occasionally supplied with European journals. Soon as this iocub pre- sented itself, the genius of the country, \\hch beiore, for the want of a repositary, either slept or wasted itself in trifles for the want of an ade- quate moiive, was awakened from its long ai.d death-like sleep : Rays ci iu,ht from ail parts of tne circle \\ere converging towards this common centre. They were at tirst faintly etched, but they soon became, brighter and more defined, and promised at no dissuiit period to lose their separate brightness in a blaze oi continuous glory. IN the session of 1744 Jure is a manifest im- provement in the .stile of the communications be- ii the several departments of government, la 1748 the advertisements ol the booksellers prove a considerable expansion of intellect. They had VIRGINIA: 401 bre this time, with very few exceptions, enu- CHAP, merated in their catalogues abundance of theo- _ lv - logy, a!;d a tew of the minor classics. The ad- Appendix. 1 vertibements of this date contain some of the most approved writers in the arts and sciences, and the best editions of the ancient and modern classics. THIS year the celebrated Mark Catesby died in London, leaving behind him two hundred cop- per plates of American birds and beasts, drawn, engraven and coloured from the life by himself. THE permission of the president in 1752, to the New York company to build a theatre, may be taken as another evidence of the growing re- finement of manners. THE arrival of Fauquier gave a decided de- termination to the literature of Virginia. Ele- gant in his manners, correct and classical in his Conversation and writing, the patron of learning and learned men, he was regarded by Virginia as a model of the scholar and fine gentleman, and his example was every where the object of humble imitation. Professor Small, whose ma- thematical skill has been already noticed, with many others of merit, felt the ray of his patron- age and bounty. It had been well if the gover- nor had in other respects exhibited himself as a model equally worthy of imitation, liis rage for play introduced it more generally amorgst the people than his more useful and estimable quali- ties, and this execrable vice appeared to be sanc- tioned by the example of the most amiable man, and most elegant gentleman in the country. A RAGE for botanical knowledge, induced in a great measure by the successful and glorious example of Linnaeus, had for some time made |ts way into Virginia, and in no part of the 3 C 402 HISTORY OF CHAP, world was it prosecuted with more industry or IV. genius. The Flora Virginica of the celebrated Appendix. Clayton was published at Leyden in 1762, under the direction ot Gronovius. He lived in Glouces- ter county, and left behind him botanical manu- scripts, which are thought to be more valuable than his printed work. THE manners of a people have so intimate a connection with their literary advances, that a knowledge of the one almost induces an acquain- tance with the other. MADEIRA wine, in considerable quantities, was imported into Virginia during this period, and so early as 1741, almonds, Barcelona rai- sins, Zante currents, Lucca olives, candied le- mon and orange peals, perfumed comfits, eningo root, anchovies and capers, were in use and re- quest. The character ol the people for hospita- lity and expense was now decided, and the wealth of the land proprietors, particularly en the banks of the rivers, enabled them to indulge their pas- sions even to prolusion and excess. Drinkii g parties were fashionable in which the strongest head or stomach gained the victory. The mo- ments that could be spared from-the bottle were devoted to cards. Cock-fighting was also fash- ionable. I find in 1747, a main of cocks ad- vertised to be fought between Gloucester and James river. The cocks on one side were called liacorfs Thwider bolts, after the celebrated rebel oi 1676. The external revenues of Virginia, or those le- vied according to the regulations of trade, can- not be estimated with any precision, without the possession of documents which are at present unattainable by the author. In 1 676, they were estimated by Giles Bland, collector of the upper district of James River, to be worth to the mo- VIRGINIA, ther country 100,0001. communibus annis ; but as the increase of commerce would furnish new items of taxation, the present revenues must greatly exceed that estimate. The revenue aris- ing from a single commodity, may perhaps fur- nish some ground of conjecture ; but this was so much more considerable than the rest united, that no certain estimate could be built on the exports of this article, which varied from 50 to 60 thou- sand hogsheads. An ingenious statist estimates the revenues of Virginia arising from the regu- lation of trade, at 400,0001. per annum. This I think, however, must be over-rated. THE internal taxes levied for the administra- tion of government, within the colony, were, with the exception of the governor's salary, con- tinued on the same scale of economy by which they had ever been managed. Three pounds and a half of tobacco formed each nun's part of the public levy. During the last seven years the tytheables, or those who contributed to the sum of the public levy, amounted to one hundred and ninety five thousand. INNUMERABLE instances of courage, intelli- gence, genius, ardour and enterprize are found during the latter part of this era. In right of the treaty of 1763, a vast and horrid region denomi- nated the wilderness was penetrated, and to the astonishment of the adventurers, the green ver- dure of an eternal spring burst at once upon their view. The political disquisitions of Lee, Bland, Dickenson, and Jefferson, v/hilst they disciplin- ed the genius, confirmed the patriotism of the people. The stile of Franklin is a model in its way of perspicuous iaconism, useful apoghthem and splendid epigram. Nor was science neglect- ed. Franklin is a name too familiar to require notice in this place. Page, as an astronomer, en- HISTORY OF joyed the respect even of the inspired Rittenhouse, The newspaper too an useful and familiar medium^ had lor some time become a vast and splendid focus, which was incessantly sending abroad rays of chearing warmth and temperate giory. VARIOUS towns had been established during this era oy act of assembly : But there appeared frjm the first settlement a lixed and unconquera- ble repugnance to this mode of cohabitation, and the few th it existed advanced but slowly in wealth or population. The increase of population was nevertheless astonishing throughout America ; that of Pennsylvania alone, amounting so early as 1755 to 220,000 souls. CHAPTER V. Preliminary observations. Lord Dunmore conveys the powder by nig lit from the magazine. Peo- ple of Williamsburg are with difficulty restrain- ed from attacking the palace. Military assem- bly at Fredericks burg, Patrick Henry marches to demand the restoration of the powder Re- turns ajter receiving payment. Lady Dunmore retires on board the Fowey. Meeting and pro- ceedings of council. Marines sent by captain Montague Jor defence of the palace. Indigna- tion of the people Fright of Dunmore agrees to summon assemlby. Extraordinary appear- ance of this body. Flight of Dunmore Com- munication between him and the assembly. Dunmore commences a predatory warfare, and enlists negroes. Committee of safety. Conven- tion. Battle of Great Bridge. Affair in Prin- cess Ann. Norfolk is burnt. British attack Hampton, and are beaten off. Guinrfs Island. Lord Dunmore burns a part of his fleet outside oj the Capes, and proceeds for water to the Po- tomac. Virginia declares herself independent. Proceedings in congress and the other states. Military operations of 1776. CHAPTER V. THE several causes of disgust, which since the year M65 had been accumulating in North- America, had now attained their crisis, and it Preiimina- required the utmost delicacy and judgment to ry observa- handle th~ machine of colonial government with- tions. Oll t; effecting a suspension or even a total extinction of its powers, its several parts had become so disordered > either through some original vice in its structure, or through a want of skill and atten- tion in repairing its defects, that even to touch, was to endanger wholly iis uses. The people, fatigued with reiterating their complaints and remon- strances against the injustice of their government, rested in gloomy silence, waiting impatiently some occasion which should justify their revolt. Lord Dun more in his palace, preserved a cold and gloomy state, tenacious of the execution of his orders, yet fearful of attempting to enforce them in tht; present ferment of public opinion. A true account of the battle of Point Pleasant had gotten abroad, and the laurels with which he hud vainly decked himself on account of that event, began to wither on his brow. Every post brought accounts of popular movements, strong- ly impressed by patriot ardour, and spontaneous eloquence ; resolutions and addresses, in the true spirit of antiquity, poured in from every quarter, directing the public contempt and indignation VIRGINIA. 3 407 against those corrupt ministers who sought in the oppression of the American provinces to esta- blish their wicked principles of government throughout the empire. THE public journals too, faithful to the princi- ples which can alone afford security to the press, generously seconded the popular impulse and gave body and spirit to the public will. Innu- merable essays conceived and executed with judgment ; the lively paragraph, the quick and pointed reply, the instructive anecdote and spark- ling epigram, severally contributed their quotas in ail the varieties in which the human capacity is capable when set free from the fetters of habit and the slavery of precedents. The people of Virginia and her sister states may not inaptly be compared to a giant collected in his might, having all his powers immediately at his com- mand and prepared to strike. THE effort on both sides was too painful to last longer, and Dunmore was relieved from his state of suspense and uncertainty by an order addressed at the sume time to the governors of the provin- more con- ces, to disarm the people by seizing on the se/e- ve > s lll e ral depots of arms and ammunition, and to adopt P owde ^ such other precautionary measure as in their ^razirfe judgments were best calculated to check the sup- at Wiiii- postd disposition to rebellion. Immediately on amsburg. receipt of these instructions, lord Dunmore se- cretly conveyed the powder from the magazine in Williamsburg on board the Magdalen man of war, and knowing that this measure would confirm the jealousies and inflame the resentment of the people, he immediately armed his servants, toge- ther with the Shawanese hostages, for the defence of his person, and prepared a considerable num- ber of extra musquets, which lay on the palace floor ready loaded and primed for the occasion. HISTORY OF He was not content with these precautions, and the captains of the ships of war lying at York were instructed to have in readiness a picked body of marines and sailors to march at a moment's warning for the defence of the palace. THE first intelligence of this event was attend- The people ed with all the effects which had been foreseen, are with The volunteers of Williamsburg immediately difficulty ew to amSj an( j could with difficulty be restrain, from*!"- ec * by the treasurer and speaker, from rushing to tacking the the palace, and seizing the person of the gover- palace. nor. The people of Williamsburg convened without any notice, and voted that a deputation should be sent to demand an immediate restitu- tion of the powder. THE mayor, aldermen and common council accordingly waited on the governor, and warmly remonstrated against the injustice of taking the colony's property, and the inhumanity of disarm- ing the people at the moment when there was too much reason to apprehend an insurrection of their slaves. The govtrnor's answer was couch- ed in terms of politeness and apparent sincerity. He solemnly protested that the act complain.ecl of, arose from his attachment to the safety of the colony, and from his apprehension that in the event of an insurrection the magazine did not promise sufficient security against a surprise ; that he removed it in the night to avoiel alarming the inhabitants, and that it should be returned so soon as it should be decieled that his caution was unnecessary. THIS answer was every where considered as a mean and scandalous evasion. It was said that if an insurrection was apprehended, the arms and ammunition ought to be put in the hands of the people, and a guard placed at the magazine,. His promise of restoring the powder was re- VIRGINIA. 409 garded as extorted by fear, and it was justly con- CHAP. eluded that no reliance was to be placed on a man, the audqpity of whose conduct was equalled only by the weakness, and folly of his justifica- tion, and who had not even the courage to avow his proceedings. THESE suspicions were justified by his subse- quent conduct. Parties of negroes mounted guard every night at the palace, which was in some measure fortified. Lady Dunmore and her family were conveyed by night on board the Fo- wey. Threats were industriously propagated by his creatures, that the first tumult should be in- stantly punished by burning the town and mas- sacring its inhabitants. THE indignation of the people was wrought up to a pitch bordering on madness, and reports of those inhuman threats having gone abroad,* * About the fourth or fifh day of the general court, which was a day or two before Easter, it was reported in Williamsburg, that lord Dunrm.re had taken the locks off from most of the guns in the magaz ne, and that he in- tended to remove the powder from thence on board the Fo- wey man or war. This report was said to have b- en nude by one M Hei\ a Sc< tchm^n, an armourer employed by h.-rd Dunmore to clean and repair the public arms. The people of the town were at first alarmed and provoked at the re- po't, and the town vr lunteers kept a strict eye constantly over the magazine, and a pretty r>iro :g i*uard over il every night, and pa rolled the streets till day break for several nights after Miller's report. But at ler.g h disbelieving it, they grew a little negligent, and on T'-ursday night, the 20th, djscharged their guards ard patrl so long beiore clay, that captain O-liins, of the Magdalen armed schooner, with the assistance of some marines and sailors of the Fowev, who had been concealed at the palace by lord Dunmore's or- der, suddenly carried off in his lordship's liitle waggon, ail the powder it could conveniently carry, about aixiten and n half barrels, to Harwell's Ferry, where it was put on 3D 4iO HISTORY OF CHAP, the alarm ran like an electric shock through the other ecu n tits, and tsch successively caught and communicated the flame. The inhabitants of the upper country met at W illiamsburg, to the number r.f fillet n hundred prt pared to march down to the assistance of the capital ; to seize the governor and crush at once the seeds of insur- rection. \Vith this view three citizens were de- puted to repair to Frederick sburg, for the purpose of ascertaining the precise state of affairs, and to assure the people of that town, that they only wait- ed their wish to march to their assistance. The deputies used such extraordinary exertions, that they reached \\iiliaiT.sbuig on the same day.-- The citizens, however, aft ir pay ing a just tribute to the affectionate zeal of their countrymen, thought proper to decline the preferred aid, alledgingtbat they did not apprehend any danger, and that the governor had promised to restore the powder, "1 his answ er be'i g re j ;ortt d to the Frederick meet- ing, it was decided that the people of Williams- board the Magdalen or some o'hcr tender, and carried down to Noifclk lo the Fowey, which receiver i, ci'd Guile'ii rcur.d tolork wiih tie Magdalen and a under or two. The inl r.bitarls of the city, r-s seen as they learned that lord l3iiiirrr.it had udtovcuied to disarm then;, by removing the locks from the rcuskels, and the powder from the maga- zine, and that lie had clone this by bringing &mongst them an arn.ed force, fr< m the rnan rf war, were greatly alarm- ed -,i d incei sed, and much mortified that s-ich an insult hatj been ofTercd them, and that their enemies had shewn so much more vigilance than they had, and had performed an exploit which carried the air of a triumph, and seemed to iT>ji?k thf-m with the charge of negligence or cowardice. To wipe off this stab, they flt:w to arms, detti mined to seize on ;ord Dtintnore and his advisers, and compel him to bring back the powder; hut the speaker, treasurer, and other cool and moderate men, prevailed on the volunteers not to use any violence. VIRGINIA, 41 burg being under the influence of their fears, were CHAP. not competent to decide on a question which equal- ly interested the inhabitants of Virginia, and ail America, and it was determined to march to their asbistance. THIS decision had scarcely been formed, when Pry ton Randolph, the late speaker to the Virgi- nia assembly, and one of the deputies to the ge- neral congress, arrived at the house of Edmund Pendieton, one of his colleagues, on his way to Philadelphia. It was at this time a prevailing opi- nion with ail the leading patriots in America, that resistance should be justified in the eyes of God and the world, by the most perfect decorum and moderation on the part of the people, and the most flagrant and avowed violence on that of the govern- ment. Under this impression these gentlemen transmitted to the Fredericksburg meeting their solemn advice, to abstain somewhat longer, till the legislature of the union, which would be im- mediately in session, should decide on a plan of general and effective resistance. To consider this opinion so imposing from the high reputation of those gentlemen, one hun- dred military deputies* < were chosen, and after a long and animated debate, the question was car- ried against immediate hostility by a majority of one only. THE report of those proceedings had a fortu- nate tendency to confirm the hopes and courage of the friends of liberty throughout America, and in checking the pride and damping the expectati- ons of the disaffected. The military association at Fredericksburg encamped in the fields, com- pletely armed and equipt for service, and furnished with provisions for several days. Notwithstand- ing some heavy rains, they refused to be quarter- ed in the town, and they submitted to the decisi 412 HISTORY OF CHAP, on of their council with evident disappointment _ v and regret. At the same moment thousands were arming in other parts of the country, and uaiud onlx ioi tLe Fitdtrick&buig decision to begin their march, M HE volunteers of Hanover county alone refus- ed obedience to this decision, aj;d were resolved iili.i-y. to recovtr the powder or perish in the attempt. Tlit) h d chosen for their leader Patiick Henry, the \oungtr, a man every way qualified by the txtn me ardor of his temper a^d his commanding eloquence. The magnanimous spirit which im- peiltcl him in 1765, to denounce the views of the Biitish Cabinet, had strongly recommended him to the support and admiration of his country, and after having exhibited the same steady and ani- mated resistance in several sessions of i he Virgi- nia Legislature, he had lately been appointed to support the interests of America in the legislature oi the union. The late violence of Dunm.ore.and his sanguinary threats against the persons and pro- perty of the inhabitants of Williamsburg, had roused him in common with his countrymen, and he determined to defer his attendance in congress until he had established the safety and repose of his native state. HE proceeded from Hanover town with only his own company of volunteers, but on his march his number was continually swelled by reinforce- ments, and when he reached Doncastle ordinary, sixteen miles from Williamsburg, his force was estimated at 500 men. THIS movement afforded the most serious alarm to the governor. Young Henry was an object that had long excited in his bosom the most deadly hatred and abhorrence. He had been regarded r a long time as an advocate, not merely of re- sistance oa constitutional grounds ; but of abso- VIRGINIA, 413 ilite and unqualified independence, and every thing CHAP. was appn handed from his determined spirit and , the overbearing influence of his eloquence. The cnflamed state too of the public mind, required only a single spark to raise it into open and gene- ral revolt, and it was appiehended chat this inci- dent notwithstanding the late fortunate compo- sure of public irritation would light anew the half smothered fire of resentment and rebellion. IN this exigence lord Dunmore condescended Governor to solicit the advice of his council. This body calisacoun- which consisted at this time of president Nelson, c commissary Camm, president of the College, Ralph Wormley, colonel G. Corbin, G. Corbin, junr. Wm. Byrd, and John Page, proceeded to the council chamber in the capitol ; but the go- vernor was unwilling to trust himself beyond the verge of his fortification, and requested their at- tendance at the palace. When they lied seated themselves, he in the usual form addressed them on the state of public affairs, and detailed briefly the causes which had induced him to call them together. The affair of the powder, the immedi- ate cause of the present ferment, he endeavored to excuse by stating his fears that the volunteer companies might have been tempted during their musters to seize the public magazine, a step which would infallibly call down on them the vengeance of insulted majesty ; that owing to this salutary measure, which should have entitled him to the esteem and gratitude of the country, the present unhappy commotions had taken place, and tn even his life had been exposed to daily and em- inent danger. He concluded by recommend- ing a proclamation calculated to quiet the minds of the people, and put a stop to those excess which if persisted in could not fail of exposing them to certain and inevitable destruction. After a 414 HISTORY OF long pause, John Page, the youngest member, ed whether if the board should so advise, his lord. ship would consent to restoring the powder, ad- ding at the same time, that this measure alone was wanting to restore the public tranquility. The wrath of the governor displayed itself in rude and indecent terms on this occasion, and no one hav- ing ventured to second Mr. Page, a silence took place of several minutes. The governor at length having resumed his politeness, rose up and retir- ed for the purpose as he declared of leaving them to a free and unbiassed deliberation. A procla- mation was at legth drafted by Ralph Wormley, calculated rather to enflame than sooth the present discontents : but a majority of the board although directly opposed to the claims of the people, de- clared themselves in favor of a milder and more conciliating language and the harsh parts were therefore softened, and the whole was made to breathe a more gentle and benignant spirit. IN this form it was submitted to the governor^ who appeared to feel unusual pleasure in its pe- rusal, and it was proposed by R. Wormley that it should be subscribed by all the members present, with the view as he alledged of seeing his name handed down to posterity, as the strenuous oppo- ser of a licentious multitude, in support of good order and government. The friends of liberty were unable to protest against this measure, and were obliged to content themselves with a solemn determination to abjure in all places any agency in this transaction. MEANWHILE the alarm increased ; it was re- ported that Henry at the head of a considerable body, had arrived within a few miles of town The mayor and common council met for the pur- pose of considering what was most expedient at ribis, and it was proposed that the mayor VIRGINIA. 415 should endeavor to dissuade him from enter- CHAP. ing the city.* The treasurer and colonel Nel- v * son with several other distinguished characters prepared at the same time to exert their utmost interest to induce him to return and to avoid eve- ry act which might render his country immedi- ately the seat of war. The house of colonel Corbin, the receiver ge- neral of the King's custom, was exactly in the route of Henry, and he halted at a short distance from it to receive the Deputies from Williams- burg. This pause gave room for the active inter- position of moderate men ; and the receiver gene- ral after long solicitation, having been prevailed on to give a bill for the value of the powder, Henry discharged the volunteers and proceeeded to Phi- ladelphia. IN the midst of these events, intelligence arriv- ed of the battle of Lexington, originating in an at- tempt of governor Gage, to destroy the arms and * It may not be amiss to relate in this place a singular address of lord Dunmore, to the mayor, who waited on him with the decision of the common council. I will be damn- ed, said he, if I were in your place, if I would not march out the town volunteers, and tell Henry's men, that as the other companies have been prevailed upon to stop, and as we are satisfied about the affair of the powder, you must not and shall not enter our town, which is now in peace and quietness ; a short time before this, he swore in the presence of the coun- cil, that if Henry approached the town, he would march out and attack him, and that he would be damned if he would not treat him as a rebel. He swore that Henry was the curs- ed author of all the disturbances, and had long been labour- ing to overturn the constitution ot this country, adding that he was a coward, or he would have gone on wi.h the spea- ker and Pendleton, to Philadelphia ; but that there was less danger in marching against him, who was alone. This was supp sfcd to allude to the plan for seizing the deputies to con- gress, on their way to Philadelphia, planned by Dunmore. 416 HISTORY OF CHAP, ammunition of the provincials, in the neighbor- V. hood of Boston. A coincidence so striking, as " such attempts almost at the same hour in the North and South, could not fail to open the eyes of the most incredulous advocates of moderati- on ; and whilst the heroic valor of the northern patriots animated the hope and courage of the Virginians ; they in their turn sent back the ex- ample of their magnanimous spirit, to cheer their sufferings and confirm their resolutions. If they had not like the people of New England, as yet encountered the enemy in the field, they gained their immediate object, by the terror excited by their determined courage, nor were they animated by any examples, save those, which were derived from the courage of their ancestors. No concert whatever existed between them and the other co- lonies, and the affair of the powder was decided before the battle of Lexington was ever talked of in Virginia. MEANWHILE the governor, uncertain of the is. sue of the Williamsburg deputation, was haunted by fears for his personal safety. He saw himself surrounded by enemies, and he found no refuge in the honor and integrity of his intentions. In this exigence, he wrote privately to captain Mon- t gue, of the Fowey man of war, then lying at York, to send up at midnight a detachment of marines and sailors to his assistance. Some sus- picions had been excited before the march of this d* tachment by the Magdalen, and another armed tender having approached the beach : it was ap- prehended they had taken this station for the pur- pose of covering a debarkation of troops. But notwithstanding the wakeful vigilance of the peo- ple of York, th.; detachment had been landed and commenced their march wiuiout suspicion of ihis event. The secret was at length disclosed by a VIRGINIA. 417 letter of captain Montague, addressed to president CHAP. Nelson, in which he threatened to fire upon York _ v - if the least interruption was offered to the de- " tachment. This determination was stated to have been taken in consequence of certain information, that the palace was threatened with an attack at day break. The president remonstrated in the strongest terms against this insolent threat, equally absurd and inhuman, inasmuch as the detach- ment had commenced its march previous to the receipt of his letter, and no opportunity was left of using his good offices to prevent the effusion of blood. MEANWHILE the troops arrived at Porto Bel- lo, a seat of the governor's on Queen's creek, Marines before the people of Williamsburg had the slight march lo est intimation of the project. The intelligence the P alace * excited at once their surprize and indignation, and captain Innes, who at this time commanded the city volunteers, prepared to cut them off on their march. At this juncture captain Foy, the confidential secretary of Dunmore, went from house to house, conjuring ever}' man he met to abstain from violence, assuring all in the most positive terms, that the detachment should not enter the town, but that they should be conduct- ed by a back way through the park to the pa- lace ; that they came with no other view than to protect lord Dunmore from the assault with which he had been threatened, ai.d that they should be removed the moment it appeared this apprehen- sion was not well founded : Whilst the people wavered, the detachment took up their quarters in the palace. THE news of this event, together with the sanguinary threat of captain Montague, were re- ceived throughout Virginia with feelings of the 3E 418 HISTORY OF CHAP. V strongest indignation. Meetings took place in every county, arid an unanimous resolution was adopted, to repel force by force, and to retaliate to the uttermost for any violence offered ihe towns of York and V\ illiamsburg by the ships or troops of his majesty. The people of Glouces- ter in particular, who lay contiguous, assembled to the number of 300, and came to a resolution of attacking Dun more in his palace, and even of boarding the ships if they dared to put the threat of Montague in execution. This situa- tion -of affairs, added to authentic accounts re- ceived from all quarters of the desperate valour of the people of New England, and the deter- mined spirit breathed in addresses and resolutions from one end to the other of America, convinced lord Dunmore that a longer perseverance in the measures complained oi would be attended with great personal danger to himself, and of an im- mediate dissolution of the royal government in the province. Yet his positive instructions would not permit him to relax, and his absurd pride ii-ductd him to support the supremacy of par- liament, and discountenance by every means within his reach the bold but rational claims of America. Some plan, however, must be imme- diately adopted for appeasing the present discon- tents. The strength of the government was irn- potei-t ; its arm without brawn and unnerved. Pie might rave in the council room and issue the brute thunder of proclamations, but unsupported by fleets and armies, his rage was regarded in no other light than the phrenzj of a chained and im- prisoned man. IN this exigence a council was summoned, and colonel William B}rd, who had hitherto taken no ckcidtd part in ihe present dispute, ventured VIRGINIA. 41 to advise the governor to issue writs fcr calling CHAP, together the representatives of the people as the v - only means of allaying the public discontent. The governor declared emphatically, " that was more than he dared to do." He could not at the same time help, he added, feeling the greatest asto- nishment at the inconsistency of those gentlemen who some time since advised a dissolution of the assembly, and who now press for its call. The counsellors, he said, from the very nature of their appointment, felt a natural dependence on the crown, and they had always supposed themselves to be bound by the king's instructions ; that the power of calling assemblies together, of pro- roguing and dissolving them, was plainly a branch of the king's prerogative, which no one can rightfully deny him; that the exercise of this prerogative in the colonies was sometimes regu- lated by the king's instructions, and in ordinary cases was left to his deputy's discretion, assisted by the advice of council ; that in the present in- stance, his majesty himself had spoken, and that the councillors were bound by every tie of ho- nour, gratitude and duty, to give the greatest weight and effect to his intentions. John Page presumed to deny the governor's premises. ,' d his conclusion. They had not advised the disso- lution ; but he contended that even the admission of this fact did not justly attach to the council the charge of inconsistency. Though bound by the king's instructions, it was their right and duty to interpose their advice to prevent the adoption of measures fatal to the crown and monarchy ; that unless such right be supposed to exist in the council, their office- was nugatory, and the for- mality of consulting them a mere form and im- pertinent ceremony, which could not too speedi- ly be dispensed with. It was plain, he added, 420 HISTORY OF CHAP, from English history, that a denial to the people v - . ^ of a parliament for any considerable time, was attended with the most fatal consequences, and that to an ignorance or a denial of this principle, the unhappy Charles was indebted for the loss of his crown, the dispersion of his family, and his own fatal and untimely end upon the scaffold. At the mention of Charles the governor's face present- ed a mingled character oi resentment and appre- hension. Mr. Page concluded by stating, that if the people were deprived of a legal and constitu- tional representation, they would resort to con- vention, a measure which in itself threatened the subversion of all regular government. THE colmcil at length unanimously concurred in support of colonel Byrd's opinion, and the go- vernor reluctantly consented to issue writs for an election of burgesses, and what was of almost equ.'l importance in quieting the public agitation, he agreed to send back the detachment of marines to the Fowey. THIS measure operated like a charm on the angry spirit of the people, and the waves which had been blown into commotion in the conflict of right and prerogative^ lor a moment subsided. But this calm was not employed in a false secu- rity and inactivity ; the people were silently pre- paring against the arduous contest. Rewards were offered for the best specimens of American powder, and for the encouragement of various ma- nufactures of primary necessity. Attention began to be paid to the exercise and discipline of the mi- litia, and that noble ardour which had been roused in defence of liberty, was kept alive by the same means by which it had been at first excited, the closet speculations of ingenious men and the ve- hemence of popular eloquence. VIRGINIA; 421 MEANWHILE the day for the meeting of the CHAP, assembly approached, and an anxiery proporti * o r :ed to the occasion was visible in the counte- ir/5. nances ot the people and the governor. Reports had gone abroad, founded on some passages in intercepted letters, that the most conspicuous leaders of the people were to be seized and sent to Britain. It was whispered amongst the inha- bitants of Williamsburg, that th > marines \vrre once more on their march, and chut some plui was in agitation to seize the members of assem- bly. A notice appeared some time before in the public journals, warning the deputies to come prepared. This report was connected with a sus- picion, that the depu ies to the last general con- gress were to have been seized by parties of to- ries, in consequence of which they were escort- ed by parties ot horse over the heads of all the rivers they had to pass. The governor in IKS turn, affected to feel the greatest alarm for his own safety. IN the midst of these mutual jealousies and apprehensions, the members of assembly began to make their appearance, and no spectacle per- An assem . haps ever was more striking and better calculated bj 7 . to express the importance, the terror and the sublimity of the crisis. The members had gene- rally come from considerable distances ; they were habittd in hunting shirts, the usual dress of American hunters and warriors, and they were generally armed with rifles. It was a melancholy reflection to such as had not lost all sensibility, that the representatives of a brave ana enlightened community should thus as it were be compelled to seek any other protection than the sacredness of their own characters, and it told the mournful secret, that all confidence and harmony between the government and people were at an end in Vir- 422 HISTORY OF CHAP. V. Flight of governor. ginia. These reflections were accompanied on the part of the people, by sentiments of a proud- er nature. Their representatives were in clanger ; they were menaced wiih arrest and transportation ; they had been marked out for their devotion to the cause of American liberty. The sages and fathers of the country, by taking arms for their defence into the sanctuary of the laws, proclaim. ed at once their apprehensions, together with their resolution of perishing rather than submit to personal _ violence or national dishonour, and every heart solemnly pledged its blood for their protection ; every arm was lifted for their de- fence . FAR different were the feelings of the gover- nor ; his heart died within him at the account of this extraordinary phce'iomenon, and he aban- doned all hope of stemming the torrent of disaf- fection, Every moment he expected to be as- saulted in his palace and sacrificed to the rage of an incensed people : The least noise alarmed him. The representatives of the people in vain waited for the customary communication to open their sitting; in vain his councillors sought him in the council chamber : The haughty deputy was no where to be found. He had fled in the night, leav- ing behind him that kind of stunted communica- tion denominated a message, in which the king and his deputies are used to state their wants and their projects to the legislature. NOTHING could exceed the surprize of the as- sembl) at this rash and unadvised proceeding. The council were equally unprepared and concerned for this event ; but after the first agitation had sub- th bnn h s re unv./d their deliberations, and a joint address was immediately agreed on, to be presented by deputies from each bs should be removed from the palace to the maga- zine. THE governor's answer being taken up in a committee of the whole house, to whom was rc : ferred also the state of the colony, the following resolutions were reported; which were unani- mously agreed to. 44 Hesolved, nem. con. that his lordship's mes- sage, requiring this house to attend him on board of one his majesty's ships of war, is a high breach of the rights and privileges of this house. " Hesolved, nem. con. that the unreasonable delays thrown into the proceedings of this house by the governor, and. his evasive answers to the sincere and decent addresses of the representa- tives of the people, give us great reason to fear that a dangerous attack may be meditated against the unhappy people of this colony. It is there. fore our opinion, that they prepare for the pre- servation of their property, and their inestimable rights and liberties, \\ 5th the greatest c;r:re and at teution. VIRGINIA, -'* Resolved, nem. con. that we do, and will CHAP, bear faith and true allegiance to our most graei ous sovereign George III. our only hvvfui and 1775. rightful king ; and that we will, at all times, to the utmost of our power, and at the risk of our lives and property, maintain and defend his go- vernment in this colony, as founded on the esca- blished laws and principles of the constitution. " Resolved, nem. con. that it is our most ear- nest desire to preserve and strengthen those bands of amity with all our fellow subjects in Great Bri- tain, which are so very essential to the prospe- rity and happiness of both countries. " Resolved, nem. con. that it is with the deep- est concern we find ourselves deprived of an op- portunity of making immediate provision for those gallant officers and soldiers who so nobly defended this country against the incursions of the Indians, unless we would sacrifice their o-,vn and the inestimable rights and privileges of all other inhabitants of this colcfay ; that as we have already endeavoured to make the most ample pro- vision for this necessary purpose, so will we gladly seize every opportunity afforded us of do- ing the utmost justice to those brave men, and ail other public creditors." THE correspondence between the governor and assembly had now closed for ever, and it be- came necessary to resort to other means f >r giving effect to the important measures, which had been already sanctioned by that body. In this emer- gence, all eyes were directed to the council, whose president, in the event of the death or absence of the governor, was vested with all the attri- butes of executive power. It was represented th-.it the office of governor was at present vacant, by the voluntary abdication of lord Dunmcre, ind that the president might rightfully e:i'cr r> 42& HISTORY OF on the discharge of its proper and most essential duties. This reasoning, so conformable to the piinciples of sound policy and good sense, was resorted to at first with caution, and after some affectation of scruple, so anxious were the peo- ple of this colony to justify themselves by a close adheienre to constitutional forms. But ihis coy- ness soon yielded to a consciousness of right and the necessity of circumstances. The treasurer, a man of gentle manners, hut of decided patri- otism, had declared himself ready to disburse any part of the public monies in his hands, when culled on by the existing authority ; and the coun- cil at length, after a faint struggle on the part of the governor's friends, assented to a principle alike called for by its justice and the wishes of die people. OTHFR circumstances of a nature equally im- portant, yet remained unadjusted. The Shawa- nese hostages had disappeared at the time of the governor's flight, and from some depositions taken before the assembly, there was but too much reason to apprehend that they were set at large with a view, by their agency, of stimulat- ing the formidable confederacy of the Shawanese and their allies to war against Virginia. It ap- peared that the governor had neither ratified the treaty nor given up the hostages. In this emer- gence it was ordered that George Washington, Thomas Walker, James Wood, Andrew Lewis, John Walker and Adam Stephen, or any three cf them, be commissioners to ratify the treaty, and that Robert Carter Nicholas be directed to pay the charges of the commission. The assem- bly, after discharging these important duties, adjourned themselves. SOON as the negotiation had ceased between lord Dunmore and the assembly, he proceeded VIRGINIA. 429 down the river in the Fowey, and prepared to CHAP, collect a force sufficient at least to check the pro- v - ^ gress of insurrection, until an army should arrive from Europe. With this view he issued his pro. Loivl clamation, commanding all subjects on their alle- giance to repair to his standard ; and not content with this, he offered freedom to the slaves who should join his standard. He was not without hope that this measure would involve the people in ; n insurrection with this mutinous and unfortunate race, to extricate themselves from whose horrors, they would be ghd to solicit his return; or if this should fail, tuey might be attacked with greater advantage b\ the ro} al troops. These mea- sures of Dunmore only served to heighten their contempt and indignation against him, and to confirm their resolution. Volunteer companies, which poured into Willb.msburg from every quarter after the flight of i) an more, solicited to be employed against him ; and the counties at their public meetings, expressed their wishes that a regular permanent force should be embodi- ed, for the purpose of repelling at all points the enemies of American liberty. MEANWHILE the convention met at Rich- rnond, and proceeded immediately to the orgaui- z tiion of a provisional government. It was ob- j u jy vious that the public enthusiasm required a re- gular concert, to guard against the vigilance of the enemy, and to preserve the tranquifity of the eotmtry, and the legislature was too numerous to apply a remedy with sufficient secrecy and dispatch. It was resolved that every thing relat- ing to the public safety vriihin the state and the jurisdiction of her waters, should be entrusted to a committee consisting of eleven members. THE members of this committee were Eel- mund Pendieton, George Mason, John Page, 430 HISTORY CHAP. Richard Bland, Thomas Ludwell Lee, Paul Car> __j rington, Dudley Digges, James Mercer, Cartel " Braxton, William Cahell, and John Tabb. They were chosen by ballot of the convention, and were to remain in office until they were supersed- ed by the voice of the convention. THE defence of the colony demanded their Organize a immediaie and pointed attention, and it vvis not military thought proper to leave wholly to the discretion force. o f a committee what had ever been provided for by the legislature. Two regiments ot regulars were voted for one year, and it was determined that a portion of the militia should encamp by regiments for a certain number of days in the spring and autumn, for the purpose of perfecting themselves in the military exercises. This class was denominated minute men, from their condi- tions of enlistment to march at a minute's warn- ing to any part of the colony for its defence. MEANWHILE the Virginia committee of safety convened at tianover town, and immediately en- tered upon the arduous duties assigned them. Numbers of citizens, elected by their companies, attended from all quarters, for the purpose of procuring their commissions. IT became necessary also to appoint a commis- sary oi provisions, and another of stores, in or- der that depots should be immediately formed, adequate to the pressing wants of the army. This was justly regarded as an object of primary importance, and on inattention to it in providing for the exigencies of the continental army was at- tended with the most serious inconvenience. Soon as this business had been dispatched, the com- mittee turned their eyes to the situation of Nor- folk, where it was apprehended the principal ef- forts of Dunmore would be directed. Captain * ; . of the Norfolk vokmteerS was sent down VIRGINIA. 431 express to the committee of his county, with di- rections to them to collect and mount all the can- non they could procure ; they were desired at the same time to transmit an exact account of the si- tuation of affairs in their neighbourhood, in order that a body of troops if necessary might be sent to their assistance. The committee after this adjourned to Williamsburg. IN the mean time the inhabitants of Hampton People of applied for assistance to defend them against an Hampton attack threatened by Dunmore, in revenue for s ? licitas " , i i T T sistance, two schooners which had ocen burnt by two en- terprising young men, of the name of Barron. These men, afterwards distinguished for their courage and success in maritime adventure against the British, commanded at this time two pilot boats, a species of vessel constructed chiefly with an attention to sailing, and kept the fleet of Dunmore constantly on the alert by the ra- pidity of their movements. If pursued, by keep- ing close in with the shore, they took refuge in Hampton. THE force of Dunmore consisted at this time, according to the best information, of the Mer- cury of 24 guns, the Otter of 14, and the King's Fisher of 16; two companies of the 1 4th regi- ment, just arrived from the West Indies, where they had been trained to hunt the Caribbs, about one hundred negroes, and from twenty to thirty tory volunteers. He had in addition to this fitted out two large ships, which he had seized, be- longing to Virginia merchants, in which he had embarked his servants and effects. The men of war had fitted out seven tenders, mounted with cannon. IT was obvious that the people of Hampton had no means adequate to a defence against such ft force, and it was equally obvious that on every HISTORY Ol< CHAP, principle they were entitled to protection. Yet _ there existed in the committee a difference of opinion respecting the policy of defending any part of the lower country. It was even proposed to withdraw the inhabitants, and make waste every thing before an invader. But the argu- ments by which this extraordinary proposal was supported, were exposed in their true colours by John Page, with the same unceremonious bold- ness which so honourably distinguished his op. position to the royal council. He told them, that if the people of the lower country, notwith- standing their known attachment to the cause of liberty, were denied the aid to which they were entitled in their distresses, they would make a common cause with the invader, and abandon a, people, who had neither courage nor humanity to protect them. But independent of the mischief it would cause, by alienating the affections of so valuable a class of our citizens, it would be pro- ductive, he said, of a more serious and vital in- jury. The peaceable possession of the lower country and of the waters, would sooner or later draw alter it the possession of the rest. The enemy would have time to strengthen themselves until an army should arrive irom Britain, and possessing all the channels of trade, added to the means of defence and the power of extending protection to its partisans, who will answer for the constancy of the people, in the midst of dif- ficulties, dangers and privations of every kind. IT should be told, however, that the project for abandoning the lower country had its rise in the most generous devotion to the cause of li- berty, and was adopted by men who had formed tilt magnanimous determination of penetrating the wilderness in the event of their efforts proving un- successful, with the wreck of the nation, and of VIRGINIA, 43J preserving the American name for better times, CHAP. and more prosperous fortunes. Such was the _ v - project of Bacon, exactly a century before ; and " it is for the honour of our nature that in every 1775 state there existed crouds who would, have deli- berately resigned the various enjoyments arising from commerce, and retired with liberty to the howling wilderness. THE arguments of Page had weight with a majority of the committee, notwithstanding some expressions thrown out by him, regarded as per- sonally offensive; ai;d son^e of the new raistd regu- lars having arrived, captain Nicholas of the 2d regiment, and captain Lyne of the King and Queen minute men, were sent down to relieve the volunteers, whose time of service had ex- pired. But it was now considered on all hands, that in the first encounter with the British, some- thing worthy of the American character should be atchieved, \\hichlike the battle of Lexington would act as an example, and inspire the enemy with apprehension and respect. Col. Wood ford was sent down with one hundred mounted i ifle- men of theCulpeper battalion, without any other incumbrance than their provisions and blankets. BUT before the arrival of Wood ford, captain Squires, with six tenders full of men, appeared 24th Q in Hampton creek, and commenced an attack on the town. He imagined that thj^rnere display of his squadron would have paralised the courage of the new raised troops, and that no resistance would have been attempted. Ur.der this impres- sion, the boats under cover of a fierce cannonade, rowed towards the shore for the purpose of set- ting fire to the houses, and carrying off whate- ver property should be spared from the confla- gration. A few moments disclosed the 3G 434 HISTORY OF CHAP, 25th Oct. British at- of these expectations. A shower of bullets soo& compelled the boats to return to the ships, while the riflemen disposed in the houses and the bush- es along the beach, proved that even the tenders were not secure against their fatal precision. Checked by a resistance so fierce and unexpect- ed, the tenders hauled farther into the stream^ and further operations were suspended until a re- inforcement, which was hourly expected, would render an assault more certain and decisive. MEANWHILE Woodlord ,\vho had used the most extraordinary expedition,* arrived at dc-:y break with his riflemen, and as it was certainly known that the enemy would renew the attack, a nev/ disposition was made of the American troops. 1 he enemy's fleet had spread themselves with the view of dividing the force of tht Americans, and though it was intended perhaps only as a diver- sion, it was not improbable that an attempt would be made to land troops at a considerable distance in the rear of the Americans. To guard against this, Woodfoid disposed the minutt men with a part of the militia in his rear, the remainder of the militia was distributed at different points on the creek to act as parties of .observation, accord- ing to circumstances, whilst he himself took post with the riflemen in the houses, and every other low and covered position that presented it- self on the be. sun- rise the enerm >s fleet was seen stand- ton. tuck Ham p- ing in loi -he shore, and having at length reached a convenient position, they lay with springs on their cables, aid commenced a furious cannon- ade. Double heiidtd and chain shot, and grape, * Edmund Petidleton, president of the committee of safety, received the- le 'er at 12 o'clock at night* and there- tnfoicement reached Hampton at aim-rise. VIRGINIA. 435 flew in showers through art parts of the town, CHAP, and as the position of the ships enabled them to ^ enfilade, it was thought impossible to defend it even for a few mimres. Nothing could exceed the cool and sceady valour of the Virginians ; and alcho' with very lewex'ieptions wli >iiy unacquaint- ed with military service, they displayed the coun- tenance and collection of veterans. Woodford's commands to his riflemen, previous to the can- nonade, were simply to fire with coolness and de- cision, and observe the profou rides t silence. The effects of this advice were soon visible ; the riflemen answered the cannonade by a well di- rected fire against every part of the line, and it soon appeared tiiat no part of the ship was secure against their astonishing precision. In a short time the enemy appeared to be in some confu- sion ; their cannonade gradually slackened, and a signal was given by the commander to slip their cables and retire. But even this was attended Are r f* with the most imminent danger. No man could pu stand at the helm in safety ; if the men went aloft to hand the sails, they were immediately singled out. In this condition two of the schooners drifted to the shore. The commander of one of these in vain called on his men to assist in keep- ing her off; they had all retired to the hold, and declared their utter refusal to expose them- selves to inevitable destruction. In this exigen- cy, deserted by his men, he jumped into tne water and escaped to the opposite shore. The rest of the fleet had been fortunate enough to escape, although with some difficulty, and re- turned to Norfolk,* The inhabitants had^sunk fiv^ sloops be lore tue uavn. HISTORY OF THE result of this first encounter afforded a ground of rational triumph to the people of Vlr- g ni i, and was attended with the most beneficial tiled s on their future optraiions. Notwith- standing their determination to conquer, or pe- rish in tti just and necessary contest in which they had been compelled to engage, they had hi- tlt i-o unaided viih respect and apprehension the power of the mother country. They hoped iiidtxd hat the justice of their cause and the en- thiibiahm of iibei ty would furnish a counterpoise to ihc discipln e and resources of their enemies, but this had hitherto been a bare hope, adopted with some caution and unsupported by any expe- riment. They had now made a trial of their strength ; they had witnessed the effect of can- non and ships without any material loss, and scarcely with any apprehension : With very in- ftiior means they had beaten their enemies, and C( mpelltd them to retreat with a considerable loss a rd dishonour, IT disclosed this secret of the utmost conse- quence, and which was wholly unexpected. The navy of Britain had inspired them with the just- est alarm, and it was apprehended that their own palpable deficiency in ships and cannon, and mi- litary tactics, would render more disproportion- ate these enormous advantages on the part of the enemy ; but the superior skill and decision of her riflemen were discovered to be a counter- poise ; and the courses of the channels of their rivers, by compelling ships of war often to ap- proach within rifle- shot of the shores, held out the hope that the enemy could not with any cer- tainty even hold the dominion of the v/aters. MEANWHILE Dunmore having by force and corruption collected a body sufficient for active measures, penetrated in person Prin- VIRGINIA, 437 cess Ann county, for the purpose of destroying CHAP, some cannon belonging to the colony. ifitelU- v< gence of this having been conveyed to lieutenant colonel Hutchins, the county commandant, he formed the b'.ld resolution of ambushing a nar- row path of the road through which the royalists must pass, and sail} ing out upon them in the midst of their confusion. Nothing, was wanting to ensure success to this project but coolness and collection, qualities but rarely to be met with in raw troops. The militia were disposed by Hut- chins judiciously in ambush, and Dunmore had already entered the defile in the confidence of a full security, when without waiting the signal, alarmed perhaps at the boldness and novelty of their situation, they broke from their conceal- ment, and after a single ineffectual discharge, fled with precipitation. Nothing could exceed the surprise and panic of the royalists at the first sight of the Americans ; they huddled together in the utmost disorder, and falling back on the main body, the entrance of the defile was choak- ed by a confused multitude, unfitted equally for fighting or retiring. The two companies of re- gulars alone exhibited any thing like a disposi- tion to make a stand. On the first alarm they were hastily formed in a square, with Dunmore in the centre, but the contagion had reached them and their leader, and it was strong!} believed at the time, that a single fire made with coolness and decision would have completed the route of the whole body. THE impatience of the Virginians, and after- wards their unaccountable panic, prevented their taking advantage of this disorder, and although but a single man was killed, arid not more tl; seven were taken prisoners, it had for a n a tendency to lessen the confidence oi the peo- 438 HISTORY OF CHAP, pie, excited their mortification, whilst it raised v - the hopes and presumption of the enemy. Colonel Hutchins was amongst the number of the prL soners. THE confidence of Dunmore was raised by this partial success, and the disaffected flocked to his standard, stimulated by the hope of pil- lage and the promise of confiscation. They in general consisted of Scotch and English mer- chants and factors, and a small part oi the Prin- cess Ann and Norfolk militia, whom he had com- pelled to attend him in arms, and a party of fu- gitive slaves whom he had seduced or torn from thtir masters. With this frrce, amounting in ihe whole to something more than two thousand, he thought himself in a condition to attempt some- thing, and having heard that a detachment of regulars and minute men were on their march to attack him, he took a strong position at the Great Bridge, on the north side of Elizabeth river, di- rectly in the route of the colonial troops. At this plnce he erected a fort on an island surround- ed by a marsh, and having communication only on the north and south by a long cause way. HERE major Leslie took post with about one hundred regulars of the 14th regiment, while the tories and slaves were stationed in advance, on a kind of highland formed by the river, under the sheker of a few old houses. ME A N w KILE the committee of safety havingre- ceivttl information that Dunmore was strengthen- sen m ' Z himself at Norfolk by daily accessions, and Wood ford j uc *8"?g tni *t they would be justly reproached if to Great a handful of banditti were permitted to keep pos- session of the largest town in the province, and give law to a considerable part of the lower coun- try, dispatched colonrel Wood ford with the -2d regiment, and a party of minute and riflemen, to VIRGINIA. 439 uislodge them. They were directed to use the greatest expedition, but b\ an express from co- lonel Wood ford of the next day, he was still at Cobham. He alleged as the cause of this delay, that the waggon horses, owing to the poverty of that part of the country, had been turned out to feed, that they had stra} ed in the night, and had not Seen collected at the date of the express. He men- tions some other particulars deserving notice, that according to information which might be re- Ikd on. lord Dunmore would be at Suffolk on that day for the purpose of destroying the forage and provisions, of publishing his proclamation and receiving the submission of the people, and that in conformity with an unanimous decision of a council of war, he had dispatched lieutenant co lonel Scott and major Marshall with two hundred and fifteen light troops, one hundred and three of which were good riflemen, to make a forced march, with no other incumbrance than their blankets, for the purpose of cutting him off. He was urgent in his in treaties for a reinforcement of at least one hundred, and a supply of cartouch boxes, bullet moulds and muskets for the volun- teers, who were hourly flocking to his standard. THIS express was received by colonel Chris, tian, who commanded in Williamsburg during the absence of colonel Henry, and the measures of the committee to supply the wants of the ar- my were prompt and vigorous. The supplies demanded were sent with the utmost expedition, and by the advice of a member of the committee, colonel Bullet, who had been in all the actions with colonel Washington, and had been praised by governor Fauquier for conducting the cele- brated retreat at Loyal Hanning, was sent down to assist by his advice and experience. 440 HISTORY OF CHAP. EVERY moment was now interesting, and the v - public anxiety kept pace with the rapid succes- sion of events. The detachment under Marshall and Scott arrived at Suffolk on the evening ; but the enemy had retired, and they continued their march with the same expedition till they arrived within seven miles of the Great Bridge, where they surprised a number of tories. Woodford, with the main body of the army and the baggage, followed close in his rear ; on the 25th he reach- ed Suffolk, where he was joined by forty gentle- men volunteers on horseback. He stated his confidence in the courage and temper of the troops. MEANWHILE Scott had seized all the boats on the river, and manifested a disposition to cross it and attack the enemy on both sides at the same time. Some measures had been already taken, seemingly for the purpose of carrying this plan into execution. Two companies of regulars and one of volun- teers were dispatched under major Spotswood, to keep open the communication between them, whilst the enemy were htld in suspense by vari- ous movements calculated to divide and distract their attention. Parties well acquainted with the Country were sent to surprise and disarm the in- habitants who had taken the oaths prescribed by * Dunmore; in one of these excursions colonel Wills disarmed two companies, and took their officers prisoners. MEANWHILE colonel Woodford arrived with the main body, and a facine battery was imme- diately commenced, under the direction of colo- nel Bullet. But they were obliged to wait for the arrival of the troops from North Carolina, who according to information received from their committee, were on their march before even VIRGINIA, 1775. 9th Dec, this small work could be mounted with cannon. The enemy fired incessantly, but with little ef- fect, having only killed tv\ o men and wounded one, from the first to the ninth. BUT this interval was not entirely unemployed by Woodford, The enemy had a small fort low- er down on the banks of the river, to watch the motions of the provincials, and check their in- cursions into the country from whence they derived their forage and supplies. It was prin- cipally manned by tories and negroes, and was a considerable obstruction to the operations of the Virginians against the works on the cause- way. It was resolvtd to attempt it by surprise, and if necessary even by storm; and Taliaferro's and Nicholas's companies, under the command of col. Stephens, were landc-d at some distance be- low the smaller iort, about day - break. The cen- tinels having given the alarm, a hot fire of grape and nuuquetry opened on the detachment, but they had already approached too near, and a signal being given for the assault, in a moment they were masters of the fort, which was abandoned with precipitation Only two negroes were killed and two taken, on whom were found gashed and cut balls, a sav age practice which marked the inhuman spirit of the enemy. Not, a nun cf the detachment, was either killed or wounded, and a warm eulogium was passed by the com- mander on the gallantry of the troops, and the heroic behaviour of lieutenant Tibbs and captain Nicholas, who were the first to enter the fort sword in* hand. ON the morning of the ninth colonel Bullet, Enmy at who was stationed on a line with a id co the lef of seen P ass " the breastwork, discovered the e iemy 7 in motion and laying down the planks on the Dndge. He HISTORY Ofr CHAP. V. called out to lieutenant Travis, who commanded capt. IV;eade's con par) at the breastwork, that the enemy were advancing, and sent a messenger to colonel Woodford to the same effect. Atter this he repaired to the breast work. The troops at this place, beside the ordinary guard of twenty, five men, consisted of forty of Meade's compa- ny, to these he addtd forty of the Augusta rifle- men; another party of riflemen were dispobed behind the houses in the street : The main body was stationed near the church in the street at four hundred yards distance. THE provincial centinels were at length driven, after having displayed considerable courage and fired several rounds ; and the enemy were seen pas- sing from the island to the cause -way at about one hundred and seventy yards distance, when a gall- ing fire commenced from the breast work. They continued notwithstanding to advance, and the commander was conspicuous in the van, animat- ing his men and exhorting them to advance in the midst of a most destructive fire : He had now ai rived within forty five yards of the breast work, and was waving his hat as an assurance of victo- ry to his followers, when a ball struck him in the knee and he stumbled and fell ; but afraid of dis- couraging his troops, he brushed his knee lightly with his hand, as if his fall had been merely ac- cidental, and continued to advance, Bullet., whose advice operated like a law amongst the soldiers, and who had inspired them with his own unconquerable spirit, directed that the riflemen should all discharge and reload* He pointed out to them the gallant leader of the enemy, and told mindcr'is tnern to keep tne ^ r e yes on him. The words had tolled. been scarcely uttered when fourteen bullets pierc^ ed the body of the gallant Fordyce, the British commander, and the detachment was thrown into The Bri- tish com VIRGINIA. 443 irretrievable disorder. They had penetrated to CHAP, within fiiteeri yards of the breast work with _ v charged bayonets, and firing in platoons in the " priming position, when the last dreadful volley struck the line. Their commander was dead, their second in command was mortally wounded ; Britiih are lieutenant Batut was wounded in the leg and was repuUcd. on the ground ; in this forlorn situation no attempt was made to rally them, and they retreated preci- pitately back towards the fort. JUST as the retreat commenced, colonel Wood- ford arrived, and directed a pursuit of the ene- my, who were rallied by captain Leslie, at the entrance of the island. Two pieces of cannon, which during the engagement had played on the breast work, now opened on the column led by Woodford. Their principal force was now con. centrated on the island ; the provincials had not a single cannon, and the distance was too great for the riflemen to act with any advantage ; a blaze of fire was kept up from the artillery and musquetry of the enemy, and it was considered madness to hazard the honour and ad vantage which had been gained by an assault on the works. Bullet indeed strongly urged the propriety of such a measure, but his advice, although backed by the enthusi- asm of the troops, was over- ruled by the caution of Woodford. MEANWHILE it was determined to drive the enemy if possible from the island, a project ap- parently of great difficulty and danger. There was a point of land seventy yards nearer it than the breast work ; but the party attempting to gain this post would be exposed during the whole way to the cannon of the enemy. It was notwithstand- ing determined to gain it at all hazards, and colo- nel Stephens, who had already signalised -himself on several occasions, was appointed to this ser- [U HISTORY OF CHAP. vice. He proceeded with one hundred v chit fly riflenu n, gamed the point without sus- taining auy 1 >ss, and took shelter to the right of the enemy behind the houses on the point. THIS movement decided the fortune of the , in expectation of another attack. Tiie reported arrival of a consi- derable body of Highlanders suggested the pro- bability of a strong and immediate reinforcement. This report originating in misconception in all 44o HISTORY Ofe probability, saved the remains of the British foreto For had the Americans pushed on according to the advice of Bullet, the fort would have op- posed a delay only of a few minutes : They might have surprized the governor and tories in Nor- folk , and for the present have extinguished the war in Virginia. A body of riighland emigrants had actually arrived, consisting of men, women and children, in the last stage of distress, for the purpose of forming a settlement ; but they had no disposition to tngage in hostilities, and they were wholly ignorant of military service. They were notwithstanding impressed by lord Dun- more. THIS report, however, was not whol'y with- out its benefit. At the pressing solicitations of of Woodford the army was reinforced by five companies of the 1st regiment, two four pound- ers, beside a considerable supply of ammunition. MORNING disclosed the evacuation of the fort, and the precipitate flight of the enemy. - Leslie, an experienced officer, seeing no pros- pect of the promised reinforcement, and appre- hensive of an assault, the success of which in the wretched condition of his troops could not be doubted, transported his wounded in carts, which he had impressed immediately after his defeat, down to the river and passed over in boats to Norfolk. NOTHING could exceed the surprise and agita- tion of Dunmore on receiving information of this disaster, and the tories and misguided men who had subscribed, many of them no doubt unwillingly, his test, were inspired with the just- est apprehensions. Norfolk, lately the scene of of insolent boast and presumptuous folly, exhi- bited an appearance of shame, confusion and dismay, which never had been exceeded. Thr*. VIRGINIA. 447 *ut the day men and even women were seen trans- porting merchandise, household furniture, every thing in fact that was valuable, to the water to be lodged for safety on board the fleet, where 77S ' they themselves were speedily to follow. Dun- more himself set the example of flight, by re- R oya ij stB tiring on board his own ship. He was followed go onboard by a melancholy train of wretched fugitives of the fleet, both sexes, and of all colours, who without any distinction crouded into boats, wbich were kept constantly engaged in this service. The ships of war drawn up before the town, covered the de- barkation, as if the Americans were actually at hand. But notwithstanding these precautions, seve- ral of the obnoxious characters were compelled for the want of room and provisions to submit to the mercy of the conquerors. WOODFORD was yet at the Great Bridge so late as the llth, waiting for the return of his waggons, which had been dispatched to Smith- . field for provisions. He sent, however, lieute- nant colonel Stephens in advance to Kemps with six companies, and having received the expected supplies, he followed with the army to Norfolk. He had been joined subsequent to the action by colonel Howe of the 2d North Carolina regiment, with three hundred and fifty eight men, who as senior officer, now commanded in chief. MEANWHILE Dunmore had sent lieutenant Wallace of the 14th regiment, with a flag of truce, accompanied by Blair, a Scotch merchant, who commanded a company of slaves, to nego- ciate an exchange of prisoners. Woodford re- plied that he should apply to the convention for instructions on this head, but that he would not suspend his operations. The president had al- ready instructed him to propose an exchange, but he had not received the letter, and when it HISTORY OF CHAP, reached him he supposed it came from the com- V- _ mittee of safety instead of the president of the "convention, by whose directions he imagined he was to be regulated. THE army was received at Norfolk by the pa- Americtns triots with transports oi admiration and gratitude 5 enter Nr- by the remaining tories with the most abjtct sub- folk, mission and supplication. Addresses poured in from all quarters, expressive of gratitude for their deliverance from insult and oppression, or soliciting forgiveness for errors which were as- cribed to violence or infatuation. Amongst the rest the Highland emigrants) abandoned by Dunmore and reduced to the extremity of want and wretchedness, presented a petition in which, disavowing all agency or interest in the present disputes, they attribute their involuntary fau.t to the violence of Dunmore, and appealed to the well known humanity and liberality of the American character. THE public sympathy was excited, notwith- standing the anxiety and x agitation ,pf the public mind, in favour of these wretched suppliants, who with their wives and children were lite rally starving in the streets. They were clothed and fed at the public expense, and were enabled to prosecute their journey to Cape Fear in Ncrth Carolina, the place of tiieir original dcs ination. MORE than twenty pieces of cannon were found dismounted and spiked on the unfinished works. Had Woodford nu'.rched immediately' after the action, thtj \umlcl have been found in a serviceable state ; ior such vas tht Umr c,l L un- more, that he forgot to spike thtm lor two whole days after his debarkation. The river was full of vessels with the effects of the luginve tories, all ot which too but for this delay, had fallen in- to the hands of the victors. VIRGINIA. 449 ON the arrival of the patriot army, the Otter CHAP, and King's Fisher with their tenders, consisting _ v> of two schooners and four sloops, together with " the Kilbeck and William, lord Dunftiore's ships, 1775 * were drawn up with their broadsides before the town : But the American marksmen having ta- ken post near enough to pick out their officers, when directed by their commanders, they fell down the river to the new distillery. They had previously solicited a supply of wood and water from Howe and Woodford, which was peremp- torily refused. A LARGE brig loaded with salt which had been captured by the men of war, was order- ed to fall down the river along with the squa- dron ; but in attempting to execute these orders, she was brought to by the marksmen, a rd com- pelled to lie along side the wharf ; and a b&rg-e dis- patched by the men of war to tske her off, \\ as compelled to rethe \vi h the loss of several men. After this Squires sent a flag of tru< e to demand her as his prize; he- was answered that she w: s now a prize to the Americans, and that she could not he restored. IT was expected that this refusal wouM b ve brought on a cannoni.de from the ships : But on- ly a few cannon shot were fired at the town, which did no i ; ju-y and were perhaps only in. tended to impress the Americans with a convic- tion of their means of destruction whenever it was thought necessary to exert them. THE American riflemen had been hitherto >e- strained from firing on the ships, and things h. d remained in a kind of fo. c< d and gloomv sus- pense, until the arrival of the Liverpool frigate and a store ship, with a full compliment of nun, when the whole fleet weighed anchor, and moor=. 31 450 HISTORY OF GHAP. V. MMI 1775, British cannonade Noriolk. ed in line of battle before the 4own with springs on their cables. In this position they remained until the 25th, when a requisition for a supply of provision was made by captain Bellew of the Li- verpool. Howe declared himself unauthorised to grant this indulgence without special instructions from the convention, whose opinions he should gain by the return of an express : But this answer not being considered satisfactory, at three o'clock P. M. the ships and tenders opened a tremen- dous cannonade on the town with double headed, bar, chain and grape shot, according to the dis- tance of objects, and when it was hoped that the dreadful effects of this fire had spread confusion and panic among the patriots, they landed under cover of a thick smoke, and set fire to different houses in several quarters along the river. The \viid was favourable to this project, and the flan.es spread with the most awful rapidity, in- volving in smoke and ashes the American troops, and prevented any view of the operations and de- signs of the enemy. EMBOLDENED by the success of this opera- tion, the British landed in great numbers in dif- ferent quarters. Under cover of the cannonade, which yet continued with unabated fury, and marching in front of the terrific fire, which the wind blew directly in the faces of the Americans^ they hoped to attack them to advantage, A few moments disclosed the fallacy of those expecta- tions. Two hundred riflemen, under lieutenant colonel Stephens, wtre immediately dispatched to strengthen the American posts ; on a signal the patriots rushed undismayed through the fire, and in a moment the enemy were attacked at all the points of deperaticn, and driven with slaugh- ter to their bouts. VIRGINIA. 4r IT is a singular fact, that during the whole of CHAP* this cannonade, the Americans had not a single v - man killed, and only seven wounded. The towns people were equally fortunate ; only one person, 1775. an old woman, was killed by the fall of a cannon ball in the back of the town. The highest praise was bestowed on the cool and steady courage of the young troops, in the midst of a scene which would have shaken the resolution of veterans. WHILST these things were passing, one of the Borrons took two merchant ships, and carried them safe into York harbour. The captains of these vessels propagated a report that the fleet was coming round from Norfolk, and it was ap- prehended that Dunmore, foiled in his schemes at that place, meditated an attack on the defence- less towns of York and Williamsburg. The measures of the committee of safety were prompt to repel this invasion, and they were seconded by the generous enthusiasm of the people. Co- lonel Henry and adjutant general Bullett were at this time in York, examining the situation of the place, with a view to its future defence. The troops usually stationed there consisted only of two coin- panics of minute men. On receipt of this intel- ligence, Henry sent express for the Prince Wil- liam battalion, which had left York only that morning, and to Williamstvarg for the rifle com- pany of West Augusta. Bat the report had pre- ceded the express, and these troops were alrea- dy on their march with crouds of citizens, a-id amongst the rest several .of the members of the convention on horseback, armed for the defence of this post. They .were overtaken on the road by a counter express, explaining the mistake; but a sense of the exposed state of this impor- tant place, suggested the propriety of a force du- rable in its nature, and adequate to the exigence, 452 HISTORY OF And in addition to the two companies of the first regiment stationed in Wiiliamsburg, captain Anderson's minute men, who had just been dis- charged, \\ere again ordered into service, and the \\hole with an armed association of private gen- tlemen and members ol convention, were placed under the command of colonel Andrew Lewis. SINCE the affair of the 25th, the situation of aftuus continued in a state of gloomy suspence, noliing having occurred on either side worthy of iv tice during this interval : But the impatience of the riflemen, notwithstanding the directions ot thtir officers, was with difficulty restrained. They would sometimes amuse themselves by fir- ir.g at the ships, and notwithstanding the dis- tance, singled out individuals on the decks, and brought them down with their usual precision. To punish this presumption, on the morning of i6bD-c ^ e 16th another cannonade was opened on the 1775. town, and on the 19Ji the Americans having taken a boat with eight seamen and a mate, be- longing to the Liverpool, who were taking in wa- ter, the bombardment was renewed by the whole fleet in a more concerted and regular manner. Under cover of this fire a party of sailors and marines landed and het fire to the old distillery ; but the post being reinforced, they were driven to their boats. In this attack three of the patri- ots were killed at the back of the town, and one wounded. The British beside their wounded, which were carried off, left three of their dead behind. Sf verai smaller parties sent out for the purpose of plunder, had no better success. In one of these a negro was taken, armed with a musket marked 14th regiment ; and in all cases they were able to save themselves only by a precipi- tate retreat. VIRGINIA. 453 FROM a conviction that the fleet could present their present station but a short time longer, as well from the obvious impracticability of suc- ceeding as from the want of water and other ne- cessaries, it was predetermined to pay some at- tention to the security of those places, which would probably be the next objects of the gover- nor's resentment. Hampton had again become obnoxious by the recent enterprises of Birron, and by the facility afforded to tlie American na- val depredations, and York was a desirable ob- ject, as well from its position as the opportunity it would afford for the gratification, of ancient in- juries. At the former of those places, colonel Gray son was stationed with the Prince William battalion of three hundred men, and captain Bar- ren's company : While colonel Bullet, whose genius directed him to every station of useful- ness and danger, was preparing a battery at York, at which place were stationed Alexander's rifle- men, beside two companies of minute men, who could be reinforced during any emergence, by a respectable force from Williamsburg. W H i L s T these things were passing, events of the Operations highest interest had taken place in the other parts in the other of America. After the affair of Lexington, the states - proceedings of the provincial congress of Massa- chusetts were marked by an energy and decision becoming their situation, and worthy the glori- ous cause in which they had embarked. Their language indeed still expressed their respect and attachment to the mother country, and they la- mented in unaffqpted sorrow, the mehncholy ne- cessity to which they had been reduced, of a sub- mission that would have dishonoured their prin- ciples, and impaired their rights and those of posterity, or of a resistance against ths h-ibits of their life, and those ties of filial and tender at- 54 HISTORY Gi< CHAP, tachment by which they were bound to theii v - founders: But superior to all other considerati- ons, were the happiness and freedo n of the peo- ple from whom they had received their au- thority, and it was universally regarded as the last evidence of baseness and degeneracy to stir- render those invaluable blessings, which they in- herited from God and nature, and which con- fii mcd by repeated charters, were transmitted unimpaired by their ancestors. Anxious, however, to preserve in the eyes of the world the consistency of their character, depositions were taken, with the utmost impartiality, of the circumstances of this encounter, and transmitted to their agents in England, accompanied by a letter to the people of Great Britain, with the same information in substance, but couched in a language better cal- culated to seize the imagination and interest the pdssions. t R OM these resolves they passed at once to mea sures of real decision. By an almost unanimous vote, it was determined that 13,000 men should be immediately raised in Massachusetts, and that the remaining members of the New England confederacy should be called on for their quotas, which would, when complete, form an army of thirty thousand men. The receiver general was by the same vote empowered to borrow one hun- dred thousand pounds, at an interest of six per centum on the faith and security of the province. THE neighbouring colonies, with a dispatch that outran all forms, furnished their contingents. But the generous enthusiasm of he people, dis- daining a too nice proportion at a crisis so preg- nant with peril to all, outstripped even the speed of the legislature. It appeared as if the people at the call of their country, were all at once lift- ed up like the sands of the desart for the purpose ' VIRGINIA. 5 455 of overwhelming their oppressors. Nor did these contingents wait the slow and cumbrous move- ments of an army. The several detachments, and single companies, and often individuals, soon as they were armed and supplied with provisions, began their march towards Boston, their counte- nances strongly pourtrayed by all the generous and sublime emotions that swell the bosom of the soldier and the patriot. Never was sentiment more general and consentaneous. The aged for- got their infirmities ; the softer sex their natural timidity. No tear, save that of rage, sullied the cheek of an American on this occasion. No mean fears had place ; no unworthy calculations of consequences ; their cause was just and glori- ous : Their injuries had been wanton and un- provoked, and marked by a contumely and con- tempt on the part of their enemies, that had sunk deep into their hearts. Thus abused and insulted, they threw their fears behind them, and prepared to smite the oppressor in the midst of his power. BUT this simultaneous movement was attend- ed with an inconvenience which should have been foreseen, and provided for. Notwithstanding the long duration of the present disputes, and the determined obstinacy of the ministry, a hope had generally prevailed, that matters would be amicably adjusted, and in consequence of this expectation, (certainly vain and illusory if we accurately estimate the circumstances of the parties) no hoards of provisions, no magazines of arms and ammunition had been formed. In consequence of this fatal neglect, the crouds that flew to arms were disch irged, and only so many were retained as were f uniibhed with arms, and could be regularly subsisted. These, under the command of general Ward, held the British 456 HISTORY OF CHAP, in a state of siege in the peninsula, on which Boston stands, and cut off all communication between them and the country. THE province of New York, which had hi- therto refused her assent to the proceedings of congress, threw off all reserve on hearing these events, and avowed her solemn determination to participate in the honour and peril of the com- mon cause. IN Mew England the generous enterprise of individuals conceived and executed projects that would have reflected honour on the best esta- blished governments. Dean, Wooster and Par- son, with whom afterwards were associated Ar- nold of the same state, and colonel Ethan Allen of Vermont, formed the bold project of sur- prising the important posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and gaining the command of the lakes George and Caam plain. On the credit of these gentlemen a small sum was procured from the legislature of Connecticut. By the personal influence of Allen a body of hardy mountaineers was raised in the neigbourhood of the la 1 * es 9 whose knowledge of the country would facilitr.re the operations. By well concerted plans, exe- cuted with vigour and ability, thrse posts were successively surprihtd. Nothing now was want- ing to a complete command of tht hikes hut the seizure of a sloop of w T, which lay at Sr J h 's, and ihis too was happily effected b) Arnold, who fitted out a schooner ioui-cl LJ S^uth Bay, and took her without opposition. THESE important points, for the possession of which so much British ai d Anieri- an !>i'j-.d had been shed, and which for foi t\ yen s h= ,n, Tiv.y were die keys to the British possessions in Ca- VIRGINIA, 45 nada, and a considerable supply of arms, ammu- CHAP, nition ai.ci of those articles in which the Ameri- ^* _ cans were deficient, were found in them; but 1775. ' superior to their intrinsic value was the lustre tht ir acquisition shed on the American character. It is a curious fact, that a plan precisely in all respects the same, had been submitted to the le- gislature of Massachusetts by Arnold, without any previous concert or correspondence with the Connecticut adventurers ; a strong evidence of the bold and adventurous spirit which at this time pervaded America. CONGRESS, on receiving information of these events, recommended to the committees of York and Albany the removal of the cannon and mili- tary stores from those posts, in order for their preservation and security, with a view as they pretended, that they might be safely returned, when the restoration of the harmony between G. Britain and her colonies, so ardently wished for by the latter, should render it prudent and con- sistent with the over-ruling law of self preserva- tion. Thus anxious were they to avoid the charge of inconsistency ? in thus over passing the limits of self d. nee. ON mature reflection, however, it was resolv- ed that these posts should be maintained. But still anxious of removing all uneasiness from the minds of the Canadians, by holding thus the keys of their country, they resolved that no expe- dition or incursion ought to be undertaken, or made by any colony or body of colonists', against or into Canada. MEANWHILE the reinforcements expected from England having arrived, under the generals Howe, Burgoyne and Clinton, martial law w.is proclaimed, accompanied with an assurance of 3K 458 HISTORYOF CHAP, pardon and indemnity to such as would return to : their allegiance, with the exception of John Han- ccck ard Samuel A clangs, whose generous and animated zeal in supporting the rights of Ame- rica had rendered them peculiarly obnoxious. THESE wtrt but the forerunners of more im- portal t proceedings. In obedience to the recom- irt negation oi tlie provincial congress, measures h: d been adopted for the deft nee of Dorchester Keck, and Bunker Hill, a commanding emi- rui ct which, situated within the peninsula on which Cbi:rlcxu./\\n stands, commanded at once that town and Boston. ^ N coiformaice with these instructions, a par. t, ; s on ty of the Americans under general Prescot, pass- hill ed the cause way under cover of the night, and took post on the declivity of this eminence. By incredible exertions, carried on unremittingly dining the rigl-i, a redoubt about forty yards square was constructed, and a breast work stretch- i< g from the east side of the redoubt to the hot- torn of the hill, by extending their line, enabled th df r in chief. by the issue of this encounter with vetera^ troops MEANWHILE congress, which hadcouvuud at Philadelphia, on the first information of these even s, proceeded to an organization of the nuti- onv.l force, for a general and effective resistance. WITH this view they recommended to the conventions of the several stares to use their ut- most exertions to provide the means of making gun powder, and to obtain sufficient supplies of ammunition ; and the non- importation agreement was relaxed in favour of vessels bringing car- goes of those articles. With a like earnestness they were urged to arm and discipline their mili- tia, one fourth of which should be classed as minute men. The provinces were at the same time au- thorised severally to raise a body of regulars not exceeding one thousand men ; and a recommend- ation was made for raising a force for the ser- vice of the continent. Bills of credit to the amount of thee millions of Spanish milled dollars were emitted, for the purpose of defraying the ex- penses of the war, and the twelve^ confederated colonies were pledged for their redemption ; ar- ticles of war were formed for the government of the army, and a solemn declaration in the form of a manifesto, was prepared to be published to the army in orders, and to the people from the pulpit. IN pursuance of these measures, George vton of Virginia, so well known by his 5 the late war, was appointed coinmand- o in chief of the forces raised, and to be raised, ce and preservation of Ameri- can lib. m , and a solemn declaration was unani- i'd into, that they would maintain, assist anil adhere to hka wiih their lives and for- ndcr in chief, after a short , \rhere several important to ue decided on, proceeded to VIRGINIA. 463 Cambridge, and entered on the arduous duties CHAP. of his high station with the entire confidence of v> T the army and people. 1775 ^ HE found the British closely invested in Bos- ton, and a large but disorganized and undisci- plined army deficient in arms and ammunition, but abounding in ardour and courage, to reduce Which to order, and to supply whose wants, re- quired the whole of his patience and sagacity. For these purposes he was admirably fitted by his temper and address. Undtr his direction, as- sisted by the resolutions of congress, privateers issued from the ports of New-England, and re- turned with rich prizes, freighted often with the articles most essential in military service. By a variety of prudent and skilful dispositions, the enemy's quarters were straightened, and their regular supplies of provisions cut off. and finally by the possession of Dorchester Heights, the British eva* enemy were compelled to evacuate Boston. BUT previous to this event, an important ex- pedition had been projected by congress for the possession of Canada, under the command of major general Schuyler, assisted by brigadiers Wooster and Montgomery. The indisposition of the commander in chief devolved the arduous duties of this important command on Richaid Montgomery, an Irishman, who h: d acquin d considerable reputation and experience during the late war, and who from the very commence- ment of the disputes between the mother COM - try and the colonies, had taken a decided part in favour of the rights of America. With a force not exceeding two thousand men, he embarked on the Sorel river, and invested fort St. John's, defended by a garrison of six hundred regulars and two hundred Canadians, The capture of fort Chamble, by a detachment under majors Brown 464 HISTORY OF CHAP, and Livingston, by affording a seasonable sup- ply of ammunition and artillery, accelerated the fall of this fortress ; the defeat of major Mac- J-Vft*, lean, a veteran officer, marching to its relief, by Cbamblcs, co [ one i Warren, determined this event : The S.. Johns, . . 7 . , . ~ , . ana Mon- garrison, in consideration of their gallant resist- treil, taken ance, being permitted to retire with the honours by Momgo of war. Having, with uncommon address and difficulty, induced the troops whose time of ser- vice had expired, to remain one month longer, and placed garrisons in forts St. John's and Chamble, he proceeded without halting to the reduction of Montreal; his floating batteries un- der colonel Easton at the same time continuing to advance up the St. Laurence. The usual good fortune of Montgomery attended him on this occasion. Montreal and the fket of Carle- ton surrendered : But that experienced general himself made his escape down the river in the night in a boat with muftk-d oars. To co-operate in this important expedition, the commander in chiel had dispatched colonel Ar- nold with about one thousand irsen, b) the Kenr,e- beck river, through that savage wilderness 1} ir.fr between the settled parts of >r,d the St. Laurence. This hardy deUK.hriieiit, after en- countering inert dibie hardships, em rgrd ac length to the astonish mem of the C; in the neighbourhood ofChaudiere : on tl u- 9- No- vember the detachment readied Point Ltvi, posite Quebec, and on the 14ih eluding- the armed vessels, he crossed over in the mp;hi aud formed his small army on tht Heights of Abra- ham. Here he was joined by general Montgo- mery with about three hundred men, all thatYe- raained of his army after garrisoning Montreal and granting a discharge to the troops whc^e time gf service hud expired. The American VIRGINIA. force, even after this junction, was still inferior to CHAP the enemy's garrison, and in this inclement regi- v< on, where the frost sets in early and with intense severity, the troops were but badly clad and 1775. scarcely supplied with provisions ; and the hard- ships and consequent discontent of his raw and inexperienced troops, would encrease rather than diminish by time. In this emergence Montgo- mery embraced an expedient suited alike to the nature of the crisis, and the elevation of his geni- us. The works of Quebec, although strong by nature, and rendered difficult of access, at all its weak points by numerous artificial defences, were too extensive for its present garrison ; and suc- cess at any of the points of attack would distract the attention and embarrass the operations of the enemy, who conscious of their own weakness, and impressed with a belief of the superior numbers of the assailants, would abandon a defence, which might be justly regarded as desperate. The con- dition of the garrison too, composed principally of Canadians and sailors, and containing only a small proportion of regular troops, promised to oppose no adequate and effectual resistance : But above all other motives, the circumstances of his own army engaged his attention, and decided his judgment. The time of service of a considera- ble portion of his troops would almost immedi- ately expire, and he was in possession of no in- ducement strong enough to detain them a second time, on a theatre, where they would have to en- counter winter in his wildest and most terrific form ; privations, of every description, added to war attended with every circumstance of peril, and with scarcely any prospect of success. Under these circumstances it was determined to attempt an assault, and every thing being at length prepare^ HISTORY OF 1775 between four and five o'clock in the morning. On a signal given, the several divisions moved to t ^ ie assau ^ m tne roidst of a violent storm of snow> whilst to distract the enemy's attention, from the side of the river St. Laurence, along the fortified " front round the bason, every part seemed equally threatened. The division of Arnold moved in files along the street St. Roches, towards the St. Ma- telots. Here was the first barrier of the enemy, and a battery of t\vo twelve pounders, which it was necessary to force. In approaching this bat- tery, Arnold had his leg shattered by a musquet ball, and was carried oft the field to the hospital : but his place being instantly supplied by Morgan, who commanded a company of Virginia Riflemen, the battery was instantly mounted by the help of ladders, having been previously abandoned by the enemy. But the main body did not as was ex- pected advance to his support ; in addition to his own company, he was followed but by a few bold individuals : It was yet dark, he had no guides, and not the slightest knowledge of his route, and in spite of his own impatience, and that of his brave followers, it became necessary to halt, whilst he repaired in person to the barrier, which had been passed lor the purpose of bringing up the remainder of the troops. Here he was joined b) lieutenant colonel Green, and majors Bigelow and Meigs, with parts of companies, composing a total of about 200 men : and this little band of heroes with Morgan's company in front, was led at their own pressing solicitation, to the assault cf the second barrier. But for this their force was utterly incompetent : they were exposed in a narrow street to a most destructive fire ; and opposed in front by superior numbers, covered and out of the reach of danger ; the day too was every moment becoming clearer, the enemy became VIRGINIA. 467 acquainted with their weakness, and having made CHAP, a sortie with two hundred men, they took captain ^* Dearborn, with the rear guard prisoners. In this desperate situation Morgan proposed to a counc.l of the officers present to fight their way to their company, which was delayed only by the sug- gestion that Montgomery might be successful, and that their co-operation would be essential : But the numbers of the enemy every moment en- creasing and the prospect of relief appearing des- perate, they were compelled to surrender at 10 o'clock prisoners of war. THE fate of the division commanded by Mont- gomery, was equally disastrous. That gallant spirit advancing along the St. Laurence, by the way of Aunce de Mere* under captain Diamond, took possession of a block house about 200 yards in front of the first barrier, the Canadians abandon, ing it after an ineffectual fire at his approach. In their flight they communicated their terrors to the troops defending the barrier and redoubt, and these two were abandoned with precipation. At this interesting crisis Quebec was saved by one of those extraordinary circumstances, which often defeat the wisest and best . concerted mea- sures. Whilst moving at the head of his follow- ers in the narrow path round captain Diamond, and assisting with his own hands to pull up the pickets to make way for the troops ; he was ob- liged to halt a few minutes until a sufficient force could make their way to him. At the head of two hundred he at length proceeded to the attack of the barrier: but the fatal interval of delay had given time to one or two of the enemy to return to the battery, who having taken a slow match lay- ing by one of the guns, discharged a single can- non at the American van, now within forty paces of it. This single and accidental fire decided the 68 HISTORY OF CHAP, fate of the day. Montgomery with captain* Cheeseman and McPherson, together with his or- derly sergeant and a private, were killed upon the spot ; and the detachment disheartened by the loss GI cheir general, retreated precipitately under co- lonel Campbell from the action. NOTWITHSTANDING this severe repulse, Ar- nold still kept Quebec in a state of siege, until re- inforcements should arrive, sufficient to enable him to resume offensive operations. THE union was now complete, Georgia hav- ing formally acceded to the confederacy : The intellectual energies, which during a season of calm, lie dormant and buried, were now drawn out, and their effects were in the highest degree grand and impressive. Nor was it only by the proper genius and valor of her children, that the cause ot America was advanced and adorned. - Attracted by the glory of the revolutionary morn- ing, souls of ethereal stamp flocked from the re- motest regions, and rallied round the first pure al- tar, raised to the worship of liberty. Imperial Britain reluctantly gave a Gates, ardent in courage, of elegant manners, of incorruptible integrity, fated to experience on one occasion, the mortification of defeat, fated also, to atchieve the most useful and brilliant of victories : Lee, whose eagle swoop extended to every region of human knowledge, and returned impressed with a lively and lasting image of life and manners rendered more vivid by the scintillating operation of his own genius ; Paine, whose humble and retired labors out- weighed the value of victories : Perhaps it is not too much to say that the pen of this self taught philosopher was equally efficacious as the cannon of Saratoga and York town France gave a La Fayette, uniting the graceful levity of youth to the thought and the reflection of age. Even the cold vi- VIRGINIA/ 469 sions of the North afforded the strong scintillati. CHAP. ens of vigorous capacity, Puiaski, De Kaib, Steu- Vt ben. Scotland the country of Bruce, of Fletcher " and Buchanan, gave a Sterling and a Mercer ; and Ireland rich in every species of genius, gave generals and governors and armies to the revo- lution. END OF THE THIRD VOLUME. JOHJV DICKSOW, PRINTER, BOLLINGBROOK STREET. 1 THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW AN INITIAL FINE OF 25 CENTS WILL BE ASSESSED FOR FAILURE TO RETURN THIS BOOK ON THE DATE DUE. THE PENALTY WILL INCREASE TO SO CENTS ON THE FOURTH DAY AND TO $I.OO ON THE SEVENTH DAY OVERDUE. LIBRARY UCC" NOV ^ at A f^ p*r* 1 APR 26 itKX) LfBEARy r/or . LD 21-100m-7,'40 (6936s) . 226 C -J THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY