CIE








1a~hint 3taItRit l   oIf at. gtti.
VIRGINIA.








THE
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA,
FROM ITS,,nrtlhti D ttlannrt tn tihe Ifrruant Rime
BY
T. S. ARTHUR
AND
W. H. CARPENTER.
PHILADELPHIA:
LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO.
1853.




Entered according to act cf Congress, in the year 1852, by
T. S. ARTHUR AND W. H. CARPENTER,
in the Clerk's Office of tho District Court of the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania.
STEREOTYPED BY L. JOHNSON AND CO.
PHILADELPHIA.
PRINTED BY T. K. AND P. G. COLLINS.




PUBLISHERS' PREFACE.
THERE are but few persons in this country who
have not, at some time or other, felt the want of an
accurate, well written, concise, yet clear and reliable
history of their own or some other state.
The want here indicated is now about being supplied; and, as the task of doing so is no light or
superficial one, the publishers have given into the
hands of the two gentlemen whose names appear in
the title-page, the work of preparing a series of CABINET HISTORIES, embracing a volume for each state in
the Union. Of their ability to perform this well, we
need not speak.  They are no strangers in the literary
world.  What they undertake the public may rest
assured will be performed thoroughly, and that no
sectarian, sectional, or party feelings will bias their
judgment, or lead them  to violate the integrity of
history.
The importance of a series of state histories like
those now commenced, can scarcely be estimated.
Being condensed as carefully as accuracy and interest
of narrative will permit, the size and price of the
volumes will bring them within the reach of every
family in the country, thus making them home-reading books for old and young.  Each individual will,
1V                5




6            PUBLISHERS'  PREFACE.
in consequence, become familiar, not only with the
history of his own state, but with that of other states:
-thus mutual interest will be re-awakened, and old
bonds cemented in a firmer union.
In this series of CABINET HISTORIE S, the authors,
while presenting a concise but accurate narrative of
the domestic policy of each state, will give greater
prominence to the personal history of the people.
The dangers which continually hovered around the
early colonists; the stirring romance of a life passed
fearlessly amid peril; the incidents of border warfare; the adventures of hardy pioneers; the keen
watchfulness, the subtle surprise, the ruthless attack,
and prompt retaliation-all these having had an important influence upon the formation of the American
character, are to be freely recorded; while the progressive development of the citizens of each individual state
from the rough forest-life of the earlier day to the
polished condition of the present, will exhibit a picture of national expansion as instructing as it is interesting.
The size and style of the series will be uniform
with the present volume. The authors, who have
been for some time collecting and arranging materials,
will furnish the succeeding volumes as rapidly as their
careful preparation will warrant.




PPREFACE.
As the first Anglo-Saxon colony in America,
Virginia has always occupied an important historical position. But while detached portions
of her early annals, full of romantic interest,
have become familiar to all classes of persons,
the connected narrative of the dangers and privations which attended her early settlement,'
and subsequent progress, has remained, for the
most part, imperfectly known to the general
reader.
To give this history in a compact form, neither
coloured by prejudice nor distorted by party
feeling, the present volume has been written.
The materials for the work have been drawn




8                  PREFACE.
from the most reliable sources, and it has been
rendered as accurate as possible, by patient investigation and by a careful comparison of conflicting authorities.




CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Early English explorers-John and Sebastian Cabot discover
North America —Aoyage of Sebastian Cabot-Voyage of
Frobisher —Coligny founds a colony of Huguenots in Florida
-The colonists massacred by the Spaniards —Retaliation of
De Gourguis-First project of an English colony-Sir Walter Raleigh-Studies the art of war under Coligny-Returns
to Englacnd-In favour with Queen Elizabeth-Obtains a
patent to colonize America-Voyage of Sir Humphrey Gilbert-His shipwreck and loss at sea-Voyage of Amidas
and Barlow-Description of the island of Wokokon in
Florida-Kindness of the natives-Colony founded at Roanoke-Deserted-Voyage of Sir Richard Grenville-Second
settlement of Roanoke-Mysterious disappearance of the
colonists-Death of Raleigh-Voyage of Newport-Character of the immigrants-Captain John Smith-His romantic
adventures in the old world.......................P..... Page  19
CHAPTER IL
Jamestown-Description of site selected for settlement-Gathering of the colonists-Charges preferred against Captain
John Smith-His innocence substalntiated-Wingfield fined
-— Exploration of James River-Village of Powhattan —
Description of an Indian village-Its place of games-Its
sacred fire-Sepulchre of the chiefs-Their idol KiwasaConstruction of their wigwams-Internal arrangement —
Regal state of Powhattan-His wives-Obedience of his
subjects-His places of residelce-Orapakes-DIescription
of Powhattan's dwelling-Character of Powhattan.............  35
CHAPTER III.
Description of the colonists-Gentlemen idlers-Noticeable
men-Mr. Hunt-Mr. George Percy-Captain Bartholomew
9




10                    CONTENTS.
Gosnold-H-is death-Portrait of Captain John Smith-Cares
less security of the colonists-Attacked by the IndiansFort built and palisadoed —Newport leaves for EnglandFamine and sickness in the colony-Selfishness of Wingfield
-Attempts to escape from the colony-Deposed-Sufferings of the settlers-Their providential deliverance-Energy
of Smith-Explores the country for provisions-Conspiracy
of Wingfield and Kendall-Death of Kendall —Abundance
in the colony........................................,..... Page  46
CHAPTER IV.
Smith's superior abilities create envy-lie explores the Chickahominy River to its source-Three of his men slain by the
Indians-Smith taken prisoner-Led in procession to Orapakes-Gratitude of a savage-Smith carried in triumph
through various tribes —Reaches Pamunkey-Singular conjurations of the medicine-men-Is taken to Werowocomoco
— Regal state of Powhattan-Smith sentenced to deathRescued by Pocahontas —is release-Returns to Jamestown-Represses the malcontents-They plot his deathHis summary proceedings............................................   55
CHAPTER V.
Arrival of the second supply —Newport opens a trade with
Powhattan-Is outwitted by the emperor —Sagacity of
Smith-Value of blue beads-Mania for gold-seeking in
Virginia-Arrival of the Phoenix —Smith explores the
Chesapeake-Returns to Jamestown —Sails, and completes
his diso~veries-Character of Smith- "Elected governor of
Virginia-Arrival of the third supply15Ooronation of Powhattan'~tHis regal intractability-4Affairs at JamestownEnergetic conduct of Smith-Powhattan attempts to starve
out the colony-Expedition of Smith to Werowocomoco.....  66
CHAPTER VI.
Smith sets out for Werowocomoco-Is visited by Powhattan
-Smith's speech-Reply of Powhattan-Difficulties in the
way of bartering for corn-Subtle conduct of the emperor
-Smith and his companions surrounded by armed Indians
-Rout of the latter-Supplies of corn obtained-Powhattan's treachery-Visit of Pocahontas-The project frustrated-Smith sails for Pamunkey-Is entertained by Opechancanough-Demands a supply of corn-Fearful situation of the whites —Smith takes Opechancanough prisoner




CONTENTS.                        11
-Surrender of his warriors-Their sudden friendship-The
barges freighted with corn-Return to Jamestown..... Page  78
CHAPTER VII.
Return of Smith. to Jamestown-Loss of Scrivener, Gosnoll,
and others 4~Qovernment of SmitihiActivity of the colonists-Growing scarcity of food-Many settlers quartered
around Jamestown-Insubordi  tion-Firhmness of Smith
-Arrival of Captain Argall- The8 commissioners in England sulrender their charter-A new commission granted
-Lord Delaware appointed Governor-general of Virginia
-Nine vessels sail from England for the colony-ParteTr
in a storm-Uncertain fate of the flag ship-The others of
tilhe fleet arrive in Virginia-Difficulties with Smith-His
resolute conduct-Opens several new plantations-Powhattan settled-Terrible accident to Smith-His return to
England-Statistics of the colony-Its prosperous condition......................................................................... 89
CHAPTER VIII.
Captain George Percy-His reasons for remaining in the colony
-His ill-health-Factious spirit of the people-Indian hostilities-Massacre of Ratcliffe and his men-West and thirty
others turn pirates —Miserable condition of the colonistsArrival of Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George Sob mersThe colony deserted —Arival of Lord Delawiare'4is judicious measures-i-The'olony begins to flour~i]:-~Dl-aware
returnstAo Envlgand —Disappointment of the London Company-"Sir Thomas Dale. sent to Virginia iHis arrival-Proclaims ltiartial law  Sir Thomas Gats'' arrives at Jamestown-Assumes the government of the colony..-A plantation opened at Henrico —Private property recognized in the
colony-Beneficial r esults arising therefrom-New Bermudas settled-The third charter of the London CompanyChange in the constitution-Money allowed to be raised by
lottery for the benefit of the colony..................... 100
CHAPTER IX.
Administration of Sir Thomas Gateos-Cautious forbearance
of Powhattan-Treachery of Japazaws-Capture of Pocahontas-She is taken to Jamestown-A ransom demanded
for her release-Powhattan sends back men and musketsSir Thomas Dale sent to enforce the remainder of the ran



12                     CONTENTS.
som —Reaches Werowocomoco-Is assaulted-Defeats the
savages and burns the town-Parleys with the IndiansReturns to Jamestown-John Rolfe instructs Pocahontas
in the Christian faith-She is baptized-Marriage of Pocahontas to Rolfe-Satisfaction of Powhattan-Its beneficial
consequences —Dale treats with Powhattan for another
daughter-His refusal-Rolfe and his wife sail for England- Pocahontas honourably received - Her deaLth at
Gravesend.........,.....                       Page 110
CHAPTER X.
Evils arising from the system of common labour-Right of
private property-Conditions of tenure-Indentured servants-Bounty land-Dale embarks for England-Appointment of Yeardley[6 —Cultivation of tobacco-Careless security
of the colonist9-The savages taught the use of fire-armsArgall supersedes Yeardley-His character and arbitrary
conduct —His removal from office-4-Ydardiey reappointedSecond administration of Yeardley-L-The first general assembly convened at Jamestown-How composed —LEnergy
of Sandys-Large numbers of immigrants sent to Virginia
-Importation of females-Beneficial effect upon the colonists-Rapid increase of immigrants-Introduction of negro
slavery-Resignation of Sandys-His successor nominated
by King James-Spirited conduct of the  onldon Company
-Earl of Southampton elected treasurer —Thte first constitution  of Virginia...........................................  121
CHAPTER XI.
Sir Francis WVyatt appointed governor4-Arrives in Virginia
-Scattered condition of the colonists-Their careless state
of security-Death of Powhattan-Opechancanough suspected of treachery-His answer-Arranges a plan for the
general massacre of the colonists-Nemattanow, or Jack of
the Feather, murders one Morgan and robs him-Is shot
down by two boys-His dying requests-Terrible massacre
of the 22d of March-Most of the plantations abandonedSickness in the colony-War of extermination-Reception
of the tidings in England-Assistance sent to the colonists
-Smith tenders his services-Conduct of King Jamnes-Attempts to dictate to the company-Meets with a second rebuke —Resolves to annul the charter-Appoints commissioners to inquire into the affairs of the company —Resolves to
reassume his conceded authority-His proposition rejected
by the company-Commissioners sent to Virginia............ 133




CONTENTS.                        13
CHAPTER XII.
Arrival of commissioners in Virginia-Feelino of the colonists
-Proceedings of the commissioners-Pory suborns the clerk
of the council-Punishment of the latter-The presence of
the commissioners disregarded-Acts passed by the assembly-Taxation asserted to be dependent on representation-"i
Regulations adopted to guard against surprise by thetInidians-Charter of the London Company cancelled-Death
of Jampes.I-Great influx of immigrants Nlo towns in Virginia-4 Yeardley appointed governor —{Lord Baltimore arrives in Virginia,-Religious intolerance of the colonistsBaltimore returns to England-Obtains a patent for the
province of Maryland-eardley succeeded by Sir John
Harve:7 —Variance of opinions concerning the latter-He is
deposed and sent to England-Is returned-Second Virginia massacre - Opechancanough taken prisoner - His
death............................................................... Page  146
CHAPTER XIII.
Berkeley sails for England-Treaty of peace with the Indians
-Prosperity of Virginia-Her loyalty-Hospitality extended to fugitive Cavaliers-Charles II. proclaimed-Action
of the English Parliament- Virginia acknowledges the
commonwealth-iBerkeley resigns' Richard Bennett elected
governor-Indian incursion-EdwardiDiggs" elected governor "Samuel Matthews "chosen governor-~His controversy
with the burgesses-Declares the dissolution of the assembly-The assembly deposes the governor and council-Reelects Matthews-His submission —Richard CromwellAcknowledged protector of England- The Virginia assembly defines its privileges Restoration of Charles II.Berkeley sails for Englandc  The laws of Virginia revised... 157
CHAPTER XIV.
Jamestown in 1662-Increase of nonconformists-Persecution
of-Their migration from Virginia-Projected massacreIts opportune discovery-The prosperity of the province
checked by injurious English laws-Futile attempts of the
assembly to remedy the evil-An exploring party cross the
Blue Ridge-Growing difficulties — Ch&ange in the political
condition of the Virginians4-Statistics of the province in
1671-Oppressed situation- o(f the poorer planters-Magnificent vagaries of Charles II.-Agents sent to EnglandPopular disturbances-Descent of the Seneca Indians upon
2




14                     CONTENTS.
the Susquehannas-Outrages committed on the frontiers by
the latter-Six chiefs treacherously murdered-Sanguinary
retaliation-Arming of the Virginians-Berkeley reprobates war-Nathaniel Bacon-His condition and character
-Marches against the Indians.............................. Page 167
CHAPTER XV.
Departure of Bacon-Berkeley commands him to return and
disperse his followers-Bacon attacks an Indian fort and
carries it by storm-Is pursued by Berkeley-Disturbances
in the lower counties-Dissolution of the old assembly-A
new assembly called-Bacon elected a burgess-Is arrested
by order of the governor-Temporary reconciliation-Bacon
appointed comlmander-in-chief-Jealously of Berkeley-Refuses Bacon a commission-Five hundred men march into
Jamestown -- Berkeley submits - Retires to Gloucester
county-Proclaims Bacon a rebel-Bacon issues writs for a
convention of the people-Berkeley retreats to AccomacRaises an army and sails for Jamestown-Bacon marches
against him-The governor deserted by his troops-Triumphant progress of Bacon-His death-Violent proceedings
of Berkeley-Thomas Hansford and others hanged-Death
of Berkeley......................................................  179
CHAPTER XVI.
Jeffreys appointed governor-An attempt made to regulate
the Indian traffic-Political restrictions again enforcedCisicheley deputy-governor-Arrival of Lord Culpeppe-iAppointed governor for life-His avaricious dispositon-Defrauds the troops-Returns to England-Administration of
Chicheley-Impoverished condition of the province-Discontent of the people-Return of Culpepper to VirginiaCompromises with the planters of the northern neck-Embarks for England'Lord Howard appointed governor' —
His meanness and ava-iice-Transportation of prisoners'f6;r
political offences-Their reception in Virginia-AAdministration of Nicholson-.Project for a college-A charter obtained-cAn-hdros aiJpointed governor —I-Is neatness and
method- Is succeeded by:Nicholsofi............................ 191
CHAPTER XVII.
Administration of Nicholson-Williamsburg founded-Dissenters tolerated by statut e6Enormous power of the gover



CONTENTS.                        15
nor-*-Modes of its restriction —Bold project of De Callier,
Governor of Montreal —How defeated-English scheme of
general defence for the colonies-Virginia refuses her quota
-Nicholson's letter in consequence —Loses his- popularity
-Political discontent-Nicholson removed-AThe office of
Governor of Virginia granted as a sinecure t'"the Eanrlof
Orkney;-Edward Notti appointed deputy-governor'Revised -code of Virg iniaL-Poellminent provisions-Jennisngs
president of the coudi]l —Succeeds Nott-Colonel: Sipotswood appointed deputy-governor4- Crqoses the B.lue Ridge
-Is knighted —Is succeeded by HughI;)rysclale+Death of
Drysdale-4Aceession of Brigadier-general Gooch..... Page 201
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Eastern provinces-War of 16S9 —French territorial
claims-Movements of Count Frontenac —Cocheco burned
by Castin-Pemaquid taken by the Penobscot Indians
-Burning of Schenectady-Massacre at Salmon FallsCapture of the Casco Bay settlement —First American Congress-Unsuccessful attempt upon Quebec-Acadie invaded
by Sir William Phipps-lExpedition of Church —Villebon
recaptures Port Royal-York destroyed by the FrenchWells successfully defended-Virginia votes five hundred
pounds toward the defence of New York-Frontenac ravages the territory of the Five Nations-Success of D'Ibberville-Church ravages the French settlements-B3urning of
Haverhill and Andover-Peace of Ryswick-Plan of co-operation for the colonies-French construct a line of posts
from  Canada to Louisiana-Alarm  of the English-Renewal of the war-French and Indian excesses-Surprise
of Deerfield-Expedition against Acadie-Haverhill burned
-Port Royal taken-Inglorious expedition of Sir Iovelden
Walker...................................................................... 210
CHAPTER XIX.
Treaty of Utrecht-Population of the colonies-Absence of
towns in Virginia-Crown Point taken possession of by the
French-Commlunication betxveen Canada and LouisianaFirst newspaper in Virginia-War with Spain-Disastrous
expedition to Carthagena-War with France-Capture of
Louisburg —Treaty of Aix la Chapelle-Progress of Virginia- Religious intolerance - Capitol at Williamsburg
burned-Close of Gooch's administration-Evidences of
affectionate regard-Character of, Gooch-Ohio CompanyFrench claims-Opposite claims of the British-Brownsville
founded —French posts established in the vicinity of the




16                     CONTENTS.
Ohio-Orders from Englandl-Dinwiddie appointed Governor of Virginia-+ His purchase of the Indians-Back settlements of Viirginia threatened by the French-A messenger despatched by Dinwiddie to ascertain their intentionsVirginia instructed to build two forts on the Ohio-George
W~ashington-His early life and character............. Page 223
CHAPTER XX.
Mission of Washington to the Ohio-Reaches Will's CreekHalts at the forks of the Ohio-H olds a conference with Indians at Logstown-Delivers his letters and credentials to
the French commandant-His return —Is shot at by an
Indian-His peril in crossing the Alleghany River-Arrives at Williamsburg-Increase of the provincial army —
Washington appointed lieutenant-colonel-Marchesto Will's
Creek-The French drive off the troops at the forks of the
Ohio, and build Fort Duquesne-Skirmish at Great Meadows-Death of Jumonville, and capture of his partyFort Necessity erected-Invested by the French-The Virginians capitulate on terms-Washington resigns his commission and retires to private life-Arrival of General Braddock with troops from England-Is\joined by Washington
as a volunteer-March of the army-Crossing of the Alleghanies-Defeat of Bradcldock on the banks of the Monongahela-Death of Braddock - Heroism  of the Virginia
troops-Retreat of the army to Cumberland.....................   237
CHAPTER XXI.
Indian incursions-Activity of Washington-Dinwiddie convenes the assembly-Increase of troops-Washington appointed commander-in-chief-Hastens to Winchester-Distressed condition of the settlers-His letter to the governor
— His painful situation-Fort Loudoun commenced-England declares war against France-Arrival of the Earl of
Loudoun-Success of the French under Montcalm-Conference at Philadelphia-Plan of the campaign-Failure of the
expedition against Louisbnrg-Campaign of 1758-Elergetic measures of Pitt-Expedition ordered against Fort
Duquesne-Advance of Colonel Bouquet-The Virginia
troops concentrated at Fort Cumberland-A new road opened to Loyal Hanna-A detachment under Major Grant
ordered to reconnoitre Fort Duquesne-Defeat of Grant —
Arrival of General Forbes at Loyal Htanna-Council of
war-Advance of the troops-The fort burned and deserted
by the French-Fort Pitt erected on its site-Campaign of
l759-Treaty of FPotainhbleau.................................... 252




CONTENTS.                         1 7
CHAPTER XXII.',!nglish financial embar)rassment-Proposition to tax the colonies-Passage of the stam.p act-Its reception in America
-Patrick Henry-H-is birth and eclucation-Studies lawHIis first speech in the "'parsons' cause"-Its effect upon his
auditors-Elected. a member of the assembly-Offers his
celebrated resolutions-The effect of their adoption-Congress at Philadelphia-Solemn declaration of rights-Repeal of the stamp aect-Townshend's   new bill-Passed by
the Imperial ParliamentsResistance of the AmlericansDeatha ofauquiern   Session of 176S8-Resolutions of the
assembly %-DissolVedl by the arrival ofoi:rd Bottetourt;?s
governor-in-chief-Sessioen of 1i69-D:isuioutionl of thle assembly-Non-importation agreement — Progress of resistance-Relpeal of all duties except that ou tea-Agitation still
continues-IDeath of Lord Bottetourt —His character-The
assembly oarder a statue to be erected to his memory... Pccge 267
CHAPTER XXIII.
Dunmorepappointed governor-Arrival of Foy-Meeting of
the ass;'mbly —Rebuke of Dunnmore-His tart reply-Committee of correspondence organized-A continental Congress
suggested-Jolurney of Dunmnore to the Ohio-Appoints
Conolly Indian agent —His designs unfolded-Troubles
with Pennsylvania-Action of' the Virginia council-Cargoes of tea sent to the colonies-Proceedings in consequence-Destruction of tea at Boston-Its port closedAction of Virginia-The continental Congress-Indian war
on the frontier-An army raised-March of D)unmoreColonel Lewis encamps at Point Pleasant-Battle of Point
Pleasant-Suspicious conduct of Dunmore-Negotiations
for peace-Speech of Logan-Approaching crisis —Battle
of Lexington-Dunmore conveys the powder from the magazine at Williamsburg-Henry marches upon the capitalAn assembly convened-Flight of Dunllore..................... 2S0
CHAPTER XXIV.
Adjournment of the Virginia Assembly-Continental Congress
— Washington appointed comllmander-in-chief-Battle of
Bunker's Hill-MIovements of Dunmnore-Battle at Great
ridcge -Norfolk evacuated — Bombarded and burnedMeeting of the assembly-New  constitution adoptedcl-Declaration of Independence-Retreat of Dunniore —War at
the north-Disastrous expedition against Quebec-Retreat
of Washington across the Jerseys-Battle of Trenton and
2-;'




18                     CONTENTS.
Princeton-Campaign of 1777-March of Burgoyne froma
Canada-Capture of Ticoncleroga-Surrender of Burgoyne
-Movements of Howe-Battles of Brandywine and Germantown-Washington retires to Valley Forge-Treaty of
alliance with France-Howe evacuates Philadelphia —Clinton retreats across the Jerseys-Battle of Monmouth-Arrival of a French fleet off the capes-An attack upon Newport projected-Its failure-Invasion of the southern states
-Virginia plundered by General Matthews............   Page 293
CIJAPTER XXV.
Clinton embarks for the south-Capture of Charleston-Gates
appointed to command the southern continental army-HIis
defeat at Camden-Leslie sent to Virginia-Greene supersedes Gates-Arnold in Virginia-La Fayette ordered to
reinforce Steuben-General Phillips forms a junction with
Arnoldc-Destruction of stores at Yorktown —Petersburg
captured-Advance of Cornwallis-Battle of Cowpens-Retreat of Greene-Marches against Rawdon-Cornwallis
reaches Petersburg-Expeditions of Simcoe and TarletonMarch of Cornwvallis to Portsmouth —Skirmish near Jamestown-The British army concentrated at York and Gloucester-Movements of the allied forces under Washinwgton and
Rochambeau-Arrival of the French fleet in the Chesapeake
— Yorktown invested —Incidents of the siege-Capitulation
of Cornvwallis-Negotiations for peace....,..................... 304
CHAPTER XXVI.
Close of the war-Exhausted condition of the country-Cession of the public lands —Convention at PhiladelphiaAdoption of the Federal Constitution-Opposition in AVirginia-Origin of the Federalists aidcl Republicans-Fears
respecting the constitution-Repudiation of British claims
-Opinion of Washington-Increasing prosperity of the
Union-Difficulties with France-Alien and sedition laws
-Madison's resolutions - Slavery - Fears of VirginiaActs passed in relation to-Difficulties with England —English and French decrees-Commercial distress-Declaration
of war-Patriotism of Virginia-Peace proclaimecl-Revisions of the constitution-Servile insurrection-War with
Mexico-Past condition of Virginia-Present prospectsSystem of internal improvement-Relation of Virginia to
the states.................................................................. 318




HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.
CHAPTER I.
Early English explorers-John and Sebastian Cabot discover
North America-Voyage of Sebastian Cabot-Voyage of
Frobisher-Coligny founds a colony of Huguenots in Florida
-The colonists massacred by the Spaniards-Retaliation of
De Gourguis-First project of an English colony-Sir Walter
Raleigh-Studies the art of war under Coligny-Returns to
England-In favour with Queen Elizabeth-Obtains a patent
to colonize America-Voyage of Sir Humphrey Gilbert-His
shipwreck and loss at sea-Voyage of Amidas and BarlowDescription of the island of Wokokon in Florida-Kindness
of the natives-Colony founded at Roanoke-DesertedVoyage of Sir Richard Grenville-Second settlement of Roanoke-Mysterious disappearance of the colonists-Death of
Raleigh-Voyage of Newport-Character of the immigrants
-Captain John Smith-His romantic adventures in the old
world.
No  sooner was the great problem  solved by
Christopher Columbus, of immense and hitherto
unknown regions beyond the Atlantic, than adventurers from  the various maritime nations of
Europe sought to profit by the discovery.
Among these, England, though not foremost
in her explorations, was destined eventually to
become the most distinguished.
On  the 5th  of March, 1496, John  Cabot, a
19




20         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1498.
Venetian merchant, residing at Bristol in England, obtained from Henry VII. a patent, empowering him and his three sons to make discoveries in the eastern, western, and northern
seas, and to take possession of all the countries
thus newly found, in the name of the King of England, and under the protection of his banner.
Under this commission, John and Sebastian
Cabot embarked for the west, and on the 24th
of June, 1497, discovered the continent of North
America, in latitude 56~ north. This was some
time before Columbus in his third voyage came
in sight of the continent, and two years before
Americus Vespucci sailed west of the Canaries.
It was from this expedition, by the Cabots,
that England acquired the title to North America,
which she afterward so successfully asserted.
In 1498, Sebastian Cabot ranged the same
coast, from latitude 58~ north to about 400 south,
when finding himself growing short of provisions
he returned to England.
Further maritime discoveries languished until
1576, when Martin Frobisher, under the 1iatronage of the Earl of Warwick, fitted out a
squadron for the purpose of attempting the discovery of a northwest passage to India. As he
passed down the Thames, on the 8th of June,
1576, Queen Elizabeth waved her hand toward
him in token of favour, and the admiral standing




1550.]    HUGUENOT SETTLEMENTS.           21
on the deck of his flag-ship, responded to the
courteous recognition of his sovereign.
The fleet of Frobisher consisted of three vessels, one of which was soon lost in a storm. The
commander of the second ship, becoming alarmed,
put back for England, leaving the gallant admiral to pursue his voyage alone.
After enduring the most terrible hardships,
Frobisher reached the coast of Labrador, entered
the bay now known by his name, took possession
of the country in the name of his sovereign, and
gathering some stones and rubbish from the
shore, which were supposed to be impregnated
with gold, returned in safety to England.
Sixteen years previous to this exploit of Frobisher's, Admiral Coligny, chief of the Huguenot
party in France, made two several attempts to
found a colony far to the southward, on a portion
of that vast region which was then known to
Spanish adventurers as Florida. The first attempt ended disastrously, through dissensions
among the colonists themselves. The fate of the
second colony was more awful still. Spa;in maintained her right to Florida, and despatched one
Pedro Melendez, a man of brutal ferocity and infamous character, with a large military and naval
force, to break up the Huguenot settlement, and
hold possession of the country.
No sooner had Melendez reached the coast of
Florida, than, Mailing north, he discovered the




22         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1564.
French fleet lying at anchor, and in answer to a
demand made by the French commander of his
name and objects, he replied:,,I am Melendez of Spain, sent hither with
strict orders from the king, to gibbet and behead
all Protestants in these regions. The Frenchman
who is a Catholic I will spare;-every heretic
shall die."
The French, unprepared for action, cut their
cables and fled. Melendez then returned to the
harbour of St. Augustine, and after taking possession of the whole continent in the name of
Philip II., marched overland against the Huguenot colony on the St. John's.
Fearing no danger, the unfortunate colonists
were surprised and massacred in cold blood;
men, women, and children, about two hundred
in all! Of those who escaped into the woods, a
part surrendered to the Spaniards, and were immediately murdered. Others succeeded in taking
refuge on board a French vessel remaining in
the harbour.  Others again, who had escaped
shipwreck on the coast, were soon discovered.
Wasted by fatigues at sea, and half famished for
want of food, they were invited by MIelendez to
rely on his mercy. They accordingly surrendered; and as they stepped on shore, their hands
were tied before them, and they were thus driyen
to St. Augustine like sheep to a slaughter-house.
As they approached the fort, a signal was




1564.]   THE HUGUENOTS AVENGED.           23
given, the trumpet was sounded, and the Spaniards
fell upon them. With the exception of a few
Catholics, all were massacred; "not as Frenchmen, but as Lutherans."
About nine hundred, including those previously
slain, were thus sacrificed on the altar of religious
zeal.
The French government, itself perhaps even
then meditating the terrible massacre of St. Bartholomew, heard of the outrages and listened to
its horrid details with the most heartless indifference. Not even a protest was made.  Retaliatory vengeance, however, fell upon the bloodthirsty Spaniards from a quarter whence it was
perhaps the least expected.
Dominic de Gourguis, a native of Gascony,
and a bold soldier, burning to avenge the blood
of his slaughtered relatives, and soothe the cries
of his persecuted brethren, fitted out three ships,
manned by one hundred and fifty gallant men,
and embarked for Florida. A favourable breeze
soon wafted him thither; he landed immediately,
and surprised two Spanish forts near the mouth
of the St. John's. As terror magnified his numbers, and courage and revenge nerved his arm,
he was enabled to get possession of the principal
fort, near the spot where his relatives and friends
had been previously massacred.  Too weak to
maintain his position, he weighed anchor immediately for Europe, having first hanged all his




24         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1565.
prisoners upon the trees, and placed over them
this inscription:,, I do not this as unto Spaniards, but as unto
traitors, robbers, and murderers."
It was to this region, so fearfully drenched
with European blood, that the attention of an
English gentleman was subsequently attracted as
a fitting place of settlement for the first English
colony.
About the time that the daring exploit of De
Gourguis was creating a sensation in Europe, a
young English gentleman left the university of
Oxford, and passing over into France, prosecuted
his studies in the art of war under the veteran
Coligny. Being made familiar with the story of
Spanish cruelty from the lips of those whose relatives had been thus wantonly murdered, and
excited to a thirst for similar adventure by their
glowing descriptions of the wonderful natural
beauty of the land which had been thus savagely
desecrated, Sir Walter Raleigh returned at
length to England, filled with great projects by
which he might win renown to himself and glory
to his country. His flattering and chivalrous
gallantry in spreading his rich cloak before the
feet of his sovereign, so that she might pass a
muddy space unsoiled, his handsome person, and
the varied charms of his conversation, very soon
commended him to the favourable regard of the
vainest but ablest of English queens. Any pro



1583.]    RALEIGH EQUIPS A FLEET.          25
ject which would check the spread of Spanish
colonies over a continent she claimed by right
of Cabot's discovery, could not be otherwise than
pleasing to her, who at Tilbury Fort subsequently
dared the landing of the formidable Armada, and
cheered the spirits of her soldiers by proclaiming
that, ", though she had the form of a woman, she
had the heart of a king, ay, and of a king of
England too."
Under her auspices, accordingly, in 1583, Sir
Walter Raleigh equipped a fleet at his own expense. The command he gave to his step-brother,
Sir Humphrey Gilbert, who, on his departure,
received from Elizabeth a golden anchor, guided
by a lady, as a token of her regard. Gilbert first
sailed for Newfoundland.  Entering the harbour
of St. John, he took possession of the country,
in the name of his sovereign, with all the formalities then customary on such occasions. After
freighting his largest ship, in secret, with the
same kind of mineral which had attracted Frobisher at an earlier day, Gilbert sailed in a
southern direction along the coast on a voyage
of exploration. His largest ship was wrecked
by the carelessness of its crew, and nearly a
hundred men, with all the mineral, was lost. Sir
Humphrey himself had embarked on board the
Squirrel, a pinnace of ten tons, in order to approach nearer to the coast, ascertain its bearings,
and explore its harbours; and, being unwilling
3




26          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.    [1584.
to forsake the little company with whom he had
encountered so many storms, he attempted, in
this frail bark, scarcely superior to the long-boat
of a merchantman, to cross the vast Atlantic.
The sea was rough, the winds high, and the
oldest mariners had rarely witnessed the like.
The little bark bore up manfully for a while, but
was too small to dare the ocean at that season
of the year; and, when last seen, Sir Humphrey
Gilbert was sitting abaft, with a book in his hand,
crying out to those in another vessel that followed
in his wake, ", We are as near to heaven by sea
as by land." The same night, a little before
twelve o'clock, the lights of the Squirrel suddenly disappeared, and neither vessel nor crew
were heard of more.
Raleigh, having determined to secure, at all
events, those delightful regions to England, from
which the French Protestants had been expelled,
was neither disheartened by the fate of his stepbrother, nor appalled by the magnitude of the
undertaking.  He immediately set on foot another expedition, and associating with him Sir
Richard Grenville, and sundry other gentlemen
and merchants, equipped two ships, which were
placed under the command of Captain Philip
Amidas and Captain Barlow, who sailed from the
Thames on the 27th day of April, 1584, taking
the southerly route by the Canaries and the West
Indies.




1584.]         WOKOKON ISLAND.            27
On the 2d of July they fell in with the coast
of Florida in shoal water, where they were greeted
with a "4 most delicate sweet smell, though they
saw no land," which before long they spied, and
coasted along it for a hundred and twenty miles
without finding any harbour.
The first that appeared they entered with much
difficulty, and anchored. Then returning thanks
to God, they landed, and took possession in the
queen's name.
They found their landing-place sandy and low,
but so full of grapes that the very surge of the sea
sometimes overflowed them; of which they found
such plenty in all places, both in the sand, the
green soil, and the hills, as in the plains; as well
on every little shrub, as also climbing toward the
top of high cedars, that they thought there was
not in the world a like abundance. The place
where they landed proved to be an island called
Wokokon.
For three days after their arrival, they saw
none of the inhabitants.  On the third day three
of them appeared in a little boat, one of whom,
suffering himself to be taken without resistance,
came boldly on board the vessel, and was dismissed
with presents, with which he seemed well pleased.
The next day came many boats, and in one of
them the king's brother with forty or fifty men.
His name was Grangranameo: they called their
king TWingina, and their country Wingandacoa.




28         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.         [1584.
Leaving his boats at a short distance from the
ships, he came with his train to the point, where,
spreading a mat, he sat down.
Though the strangers came to him armed, he
evinced no fear or distrust, stroking his head and
breast and theirs also with his hand in sign of
peace and friendship. He then addressed them
with a long speech, and accepted the presents
offered to him. He was highly regarded by his
people, for all stood in silence but four, on whom
presents were also bestowed, but he took them
away, and made signs to indicate that every
thing belonged to him.
The king himself was absent, in consequence
of wounds received in a recent battle.
Grangranameo repeated' his visits, came on
board the ships with confidence, and brought
with him his wife and children. They were of
mean stature, but well-favoured and bashful. She
wore a long coat of dressed deer-skin prettily
fringed, and about her forehead a band of white
coral. In her ears were strings of pearls hanging
down to her middle, of the size of large peas; the
rest of the women had pendants of copper, and the
chiefs, or nobles, five or six in each ear. The
apparel of Grangranameo was similar to that
of his wife, only the women wore their hair long
on both sides, and the men on one.  Their hair
was black, but there were seen children having it
of a light copper color.




1587.]  ATTEMPTS AT COLONIZATION.         29
On one of their visits, Grangranameo took a
great fancy for a pewter dish, which so pleased
him that he gave twenty deer-skins for it, and
hung it about his neck in great pride. For a
copper kettle he gave fifty deer-skins. For an
armour he would have given a bag of pearls; but
the English affected an indifference to their value,
in order to ascertain the place from whence they
were derived. He was just to his promise, always
came true to his appointed time, and daily sent
presents of game and fruits.
From thence a party proceeded in exploring
the neighbouring coast, and landed at the island
of Roanoke, where ultimately the location of a
colony was fixed.
In 1586, another expedition was undertaken,
under the command of Grenville, at the expense
of a company formed for the support of the
colony, but with the most unfortunate results;
and Sir Francis Drake, having sailed along the
coast of Virginia, was prevailed upon by the colonists to take them back to England.
Efforts were renewed in 1587, by Sir Walter
Raleigh and Sir Richard Grenville, for the reestablishment of the colony, and another vessel
prepared, in which men with their wives and families embarked. The company was now cheered
for the first time with the presence of women.
They carried also implements of husbandry, indications of future industry.
3t;




80         1HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1590.
Having arrived on the coast of North Carolina
in July, 1587, they repaired immediately to the
island of Roanoke.  Soon after their landing,
difficulties thickened. A detachment of English,
seeing a party of Indians sitting fearlessly around
their fires at night, and supposing they were enemies, took them by surprise, and before their
error was detected, a large portion of the number
were cruelly massacred.  iThe Indians became
hostile, and the immigrants gloomy and discontented. They urged the governor, John White,
to return to England for reinforcements and supplies. Before his return, his daughter, who had
been married to Ananias Dare, one of the magistrates of the colony, gave birth to an infant,
which, being the first child born of English parents
in North America, was christened,c Virginia,"
from the place of its birth.
By the generosity of Raleigh, White was despatched with supplies in two vessels. Preferring,
however, a gainful rather than a safe voyage, he
departed from his course in pursuit of prizes;
fell in with a Spanish man-of-war, and was boarded, and rifled of all he had.
This delay proved fatal to the colony. Two
years elapsed before White was enabled to return.
When he reached Roanoke, he found the island
deserted; and with the exception of the word
CROATAN, carved in large Roman letters upon one
of the posts of the palisades, there was no indica



1606,]       FATE OF RALEIGH.             31
tion of how or in what manner the unfortunate
colonists had disappeared.  Several expeditions
were subsequently fitted out for their discovery;
but the manner of their fate remains a mystery
to this day.
The misfortunes which afterward befell the
brave and gallant Sir Walter Raleigh are well
known to all students of English history.  He
was the first and noblest of English adventurers.
His efforts at colonization, in which he expended
from his own private fortune forty thousand
pounds, equal at the present time to nearly a
million of dollars, were stimulated as much by his
zeal for the honour of his sovereign as for his
own personal aggrandizement.  The conquest of
Cadiz and the capture of Fayal would alone
have established his military fame. Implicated
in the civil dissensions of his country, while languishing in a prison he composed a history of the
world. Broken-hearted and impoverished, his
sentence, originally unjust, which had slumbered
for fifteen years, was revived by the timid and
pedantic tyrant James I., under whose warrant he
was finally beheaded before the Tower of London.
For the space of nearly twenty years succeeding the disappearance of the colony at Roanoke,
no further attempt to settle any portion of the
American continent was made by the English
people.
At length the spirit of adventure was again




32          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1606G
revived; the minds of many wealthy and influential persons were directed once more to Virginia,
and two rival companies sought and obtained
patents from James I., who wrote with his own
hand many of the regulations by which the settlements were to be governed.
Twelve degrees of latitude were set apart on
the American coast, from Cape Fear to Halifax,
for the purposes of colonization.  The London
company were to occupy the regions between the
thirty-fourth and thirty-eighth degrees of latitude; that is, from Cape Fear to the southern limit
of Maryland: the Plymouth company, between
the forty-first and forty-fifth degrees of latitude.
The intermediate space was left open to the competition of both.
The conditions of the tenure were homage and
rent. The latter to consist of one-fiftlh of the
net produce of gold and silver, and one-fifteenth
of copper.  The superintendence of the whole
colonial system was confided to a council in England, and the local administration to a council
residing within its limits. The king reserved to
himself the exclusive right to appoint the members of the superior council, and an almost equal
control over the councils to be established in the
colonies. To the immigrants nothing was given,
not even the right of self-government. They
were subjected to the ordinances of a commercial
corporation, of which they could not be members;




1606.]      CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH.            33
to the dominion of a domestic council, in the appointment of which they had no choice; to the
control of a superior council in England, which
had no sympathy with their rights; and, finally,
to the arbitrary legislation of the sovereign.
On the 19th of December, 1606, three ships,
freighted by the London adventurers, set sail
from Blackwall, in England.  One hundred colonists accompanied the expedition, the command
of which was intrusted to Captain Newport, an
experienced mariner.  Of these colonists more
than one-half were gentlemen by birth and education; and, of course, from previous habits, the
least fitted for the purposes of a new settlement.
Among these latter, however, were a few whose
inherent energy of character speedily rendered
them conspicuous both for conduct and enterprise.  The most remarkable of all, both on
account of his previous adventures, and the romantic incidents connected with his subsequent
history, was Captain John Smith. Although his
age did not at this time much exceed thirty years,
he had already acquired a fame for noble daring,
and a character for singular exploits, which, were
they not so well authenticated, would in this age
be esteemed as little less than fabulous.
Bred to the profession of a soldier, his first
effort in arms was in the Low Countries, where
he fought for the independence of Holland.
From thence he travelled through France, visited




34          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1606.
Egypt, and returned to Italy.  Having there
heard of an hereditary warffare between the Christian and the Moor on the borders of Hungary,
he repaired thither, and in three successive combats, with as many infidel champions, came off
victorious.  He thus gained the favour of Sigismund, the unfortunate Prince of Transylvania,
by whom he was commissioned as a captain in the
army of Christendom.
Overpowered by numbers, in a sudden skirmish
with the Moslems among the glens of Wallachia,
he was severely wounded, and left for dead upon
the field.  He was soon after carried to Constantinople, as a prisoner of war, and sold in its
market for a slave.
The lady of his master, taking pity on his sufferings, and admiring his bravery, sent him to
her friend in the Crimea, intending from thence
to restore him to fieedom. Contrary, however,
to her commands, he was there subjected to the
severest hardships, against which his indignant
spirit rebelled. Rising upon his task-master,
whom he slew in the struggle, he mounted a horse
and escaped into Rnuiia.  Travelling across that
country on foot to Transylvania, he bade adieu to
his companions, and resolved to return to England.
Hearing, however, on his journey thither, of
civil wars raging in Northern Africa, he hastened
to Morocco in search of new adventures, and pro



1607.]              JAMESTOWN.                     35
ceeded thence to his own country, where he arrived
some short time previous to the period when Newport and others were about to sail for Virginia.
Partaking of their excitement, at the instanc- of
Captain Gosnold, he embarked with them, and
was destined at a future clay to render his name,
already famous in the old world, immortal in the
new.
CHAPTER  II.
Jamestown-Description of site selected for settlement —Gathering of the colonists-Charges preferred against Captain
John Smith-His innocence substantiated —WVingfield filed
-Exploration of James River-Village of Powhattan-Description of an Indian village —Its place of games-Its sacred
fire-Sepulchre of the chiefs-Their idol Kiwasa-Construction of their wigwams —Internal arrangement-Regal state
of Powhattan-His wives-Obedience of his subjects-I-is
places of residence-Orapakes —Description of Powhattan's
dwelling-Character of Powhattan.
ABOUT fifty miles from  the mouth of James
River, and forming a part of its left bank, as the
stream flows, there is a remarkable tongue of
land, jutting well out into the river, which is
navigable up to this point for ships of the largest
burden.  The lower shoulder of this peninsula
is intersected by a creek, which, curving sharply
across it, nearly cuts it off from  the main land.
It was this peninsula which the adventurers se



36         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1607.
lected as the site for their colony, and named it
Jamestown.
The reasons which influenced the council in
their selection, were, probably, its capabilities of
defence from the natives, and its easy access
firomn the ocean.  In most other respects the
situation thus deliberately chosen was unfavourable. The banks were low, and the place, by reason  of marshes in its immediate vicinity, peculiarly unhealthy to persons whose constitutions
had been formed in the less genial, but more invigorating climate of England. It has long since
been deserted for more attractive localities, and
all the indications that now remain of its early
settlement are the venerable ruins of an old brick
church, and a few half obliterated graves within
whose narrow limits the ashes of the first adventurers repose.
Let us now take a retrospective glance at the
busy scene which exhibited itself to the eyes of
the wondering savages on the 13th of May, 1607,
a day to be remembered for ever in the annals of
the American nation.
Close in to the bank, for the depth of water
admits of this proximity, are moored three vessels, the largest of which is not superior to the
common bay craft which now navigate its river.
Two of these, Newport's ship of one hundred tons,
and another of forty, after disembarking the immigrants and unloading the stores, are to return




1607.]    CHARGES AGAINST SMITH.           37
to England freighted with such articles as the
country will immediately yield.  The third, a
pinnace of twenty tons, is to remain in Virginia
for the use of the colonists.
The latter are already disembarked, and with
a vigour which will soon suffer abatement, are
busily employed in felling timber, defending their
provisions from the chances of the weather, and
securing their arms in dry vats. In among the
tall and stately trees, tents, the first temporary
habitations of thesettlers, are seen whitely gleaming. After a while the men break from their
work, and congregating together, listen, beneath
the overarching greenery of the sylvan wilderness, to an oration from Mr. Wingfield, who has
been appointed governor, explaining the reason
why Captain Smith-though so nominated in
England-is not admitted as one of the coun..
cil.
Even while on shipboard, the superiority of
the young man Smith to the rest of his companions had so manifested itself as to excite the
base fears and malignant envy of a few well-conditioned, but feeble-spirited men, who were ambitious of supreme rule in the new land to which
they were then bound.
During the voyage he had been suddenly
seized and imprisoned, and upon the landing of
the colonists, he was charged by Wingfield, who
appears to have been his principal enemy, with
A




38         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1607.
an intention of usurping the government, murdering the council, and making himself king.
Fearing to bring a charge of so heinous a
nature to open proof, Wingfield and his confederates affected, from a merciful disposition, to refrain from trying their prisoner in the colony for
a crime which, if substantiated, would involve the
taking of his life, and strenuously insisted upon
sending him back to England, to undergo merely
the milder censure of the superior council.
These efforts Smith as strongly resented. He
demanded to be confronted with the unknown
witnesses of his accusers; and as the public voice
sympathized with the justness of his demand,
Wingfield was compelled to acquiesce. After
many shifts and delays, the trial was commenced;
the result of which was, that all the company saw
through the malice of Smith's enemies: those
suborned to accuse him, accused their employers
of subornation; Wingfield incurred the general
hatred of the colony, and was mulcted in a fine
of two hundred pounds, as a compensation to
Smith for his sufferings.  This fine, the latter
immediately made over to the public store for the
general use of the immigrants.
By the exhortations of Mr. HIunt, a pious
clergyman, who was much beloved by the colonists, a reconciliation took place soon afterward
between Smith and his adversaries, and Smith
was admitted a member of the council.  The




1607.]          POWHATTAN.                39
next day all received the communion. Between
energy and uprightness on the one hand, and
weakness and malignity on the other, no permanent harmony was to be expected.
Such was the first episode which distinguished
the settlement of Jamestown; others of a more
fearful character were soon to follow.
In the mean while, however, and pending the
day set apart for his trial, Smith was permitted
to accompany Newport in the pinnace to discover
the head of the river.  Cautiously exploring
the creeks and inlets on their way, they reached
on the sixth day a village of twelve houses or
wigwams, within a mile of the falls of James
River, and a little below where the town of Richmond now stands.
This village, pleasantly situated on a hill, with
three fertile isles before it, and surrounded by a
corn-field, was called Powhattan. The name of
its chief in the Indian tongue was Wahunsanocock. He was called by the English Powhattan,
from the chief seat and metropolis of his hereditary dominion; and, by way of eminence, the
emperor.
When the English landed in Virginia, its
native population was broken up into a number
of petty tribes, numbering some eight thousand
souls, generally at war with each other, and yet
loosely united into a sort of confederacy, of
which Wahunsanocock, or Powhattan, as he




40          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.         [1607.
was subsequently called, was the acknowledged
chief.
In the times of the first European settlers, the
construction of the wigwams of the natives and
the arrangement of their towns differed very materially from those of their descendants at the
present day.
Most of the Indian villages in Virginia, were
enclosed by a palisade of strong upright poles,
firmly planted in the ground near to each other,
and penetrated only by a single narrow entrance.
Within and around this circular area, the houses'were disposed, leaving a clear open space in the
centre.  Upon some part of this open space was
a smaller circle, enclosed, by six or seven posts,
somewhat higher than a man, rudely carved with
human faces of a hideous or grotesque character.
Here it was, at certain seasons of the year, they
assembled with their neighbours to celebrate their
solemn feasts with songs and dances. On the
opposite side from  this place, set apart for the
purposes of festivity, were as many other posts
set low in the ground, in the midst of which
their sacred fire was kept always burning. Neahr
to the latter was the sepulchre of their chiefs, an
oblong building with a semicircular roof, similar
in appearance without to the better class of dwellings.  Internally the arrangements were very
different. Entering this gloomy structure, the
first thing that the eye rested upon was a raised




1607.1       ABORIGINAL CUSTOMS.           41
platform, some nine or ten feet in height, on
which, side by side in extended rows, lay the
dead bodies of their chiefs, whose bowels and
fleshy parts had been removed, dried, and enclosed in boxes, at the feet of the skeletons, over
which the skin was carefully replaced. Beneath
this horrible platform was the habitation of a
priest, whose duty was, night and day, to mutter
prayers and watch the dead. At the side above,
on a raised seat overlooking the bodies, was placed
their idol Kiwasa, a roughly carved figure about
four feet high, with its face painted red, its breast
white, and the rest of its body black, except the
legs, which were variegated with white. Folds
of delicately dressed deer-skin encircled the loins,
and around the neck were suspended loose necklaces of white beads, mixed with larger ones of
copper.
The wigwams, or houses, were constructed of
light saplings, bent over to meet each other at
the top in the form of an arbour, the light ribs
being firmly strengthened by transverse poles
securely fastened. Over this frame was thrown
a close covering of mats made of reeds, and impervious to the weather. Around the interior
walls ran a slight narrow staging, raised from the
ground a foot or more; on this they slept, covered
with mats or skins, the head of one slumberer
touching the feet of another. Some of these
wigwams were a hundred feet in length, and ex



42          HISTORY OP VIRGINIA.        [1607.
hibited a slight increase in civilization by being
divided into separate compartments, the best constructed containing four or five.
Primitive, however, as was the condition of his
subjects, Powhattan exacted from them as many
ceremonial observances as were then or are now
paid to the potentates of more enlightened countries. HI-e kept about his person from forty to
fifty men. Every night four sentinels were stationed at the four corners of his dwelling, and
at each half hour one of his body-guard made a
signal to the four sentinels.  He kept as many
wives as he thought proper. When the English
saw him at home reclining on his couch, or platform, there was always one sitting at his head
and another at his feet; and when he sat, two of
them seated themselves on either side of him.
At his meals, one of them brought him a wooden
platter in which to wash his hands before and
after eating, while another attended him with a
bunch of feathers for a towel; some were the
daughters, and some had been the wives, of distinguished rivals and enemies conquered in battle.
When he became weary of them, he transferredl
them as presents to his favourite warriors.
So imposing was the authority he exercised
over his rude followers, that when he spoke, they
obeyed him as a king, and esteemed him with a
reverence allied to divinity. What he commanded,
they immediately performed; they presented at




1607.]  POWIATTAN'S KINGLY STATE.          43
his feet whatever he directed to be brought, and
at the least frown of his brow the boldest of them
would tremble with fear.
In one particular aspect, Powhattan possessed
a decided advantage over his brother monarchs
in Europe; he could make his own robes, shoes,
bows, arrows, and pots, besides planting his corn
for exercise, and hunting deer for amusement.
Like other emperors, Powhattan had as many as
three or four places of residence.  One of these
was at Werowocomoco, on the Pamunky River, a
little in the rear and below Jamestown. Its proximity to the English settlements soon caused him
to abandon the latter for his royal house at Orapakes, somewhere near the head waters of the
Chickahominy, as rendering him less likely to be
disturbed' by those whom he could not but consider as disagreeable neighbours.
During the last years of his life, he secluded
himself at Orapakes almost entirely.  Here were
deposited his royalties and his revenue, skins,
copper, beads and paint, bows and arrows, targets and clubs.  The house itself was of great
length. Four rudely graven images of wood were
stationed at the four corners-one representing
a dragon, the second a bear, the third a panther, and the fourth a gigantic man; all made
"evil favouredly," according to the best workmanship of the natives. Such was the regal and
barbarous state in which lived the Emperor Pow.




44          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1607.
hattan, the father of the gentle princess Pocahontas, whose tender and graceful deeds will shortly
appear on the pages of this history.
Shrewd and politic, this ancient monarch of
the wilderness quietly retreated to a distance
from the new comers, whose singular and unexpected advent he could not but view with alarm,
though he prudently concealed his fears. Remoteness and forbearance he felt to be his best safeguard; and when some of his subjects complained
at the intrusion of the strangers, he wisely
checked their rising anger by calmly replying:
",That the strangers did not hurt them; they
only took a little of their waste land."
Whether, if the first settlers had conformed
strictly to the orders from England, by which
kindness to the savages was enjoined, they could
have dwelt in peace and friendship with their
sylvan neighbours, is a problem which involves
some difficulty in its solution. Captain Smith
subsequently answered the question in his own
sharp cutting way.  He evidently regarded the
nature of the Indian as similar to that of the
Egyptian Arab, whose love for an individual is
in proportion to the fear with which he inspires
him; and certainly, if the reverence accorded to
that gallant martialist by his savage antagonists
be considered as any evidence of their esteem, it
must be acknowledged that he made his proposition good.




1607.]      PENN S MANAGEMENT.             45
It was reserved for William Penn to solve the
problem in a different and far more merciful way.
In forming our judgment, however, it must be
recollected that Penn met the Indians under auspices infinitely more favourable to the success
of his mission.  The English were then numerous
in the land, their strength was known and tested,
their courage justly feared, and the savages
could, at that time, have entertained no very
sanguine hopes of success in the event of rising
to attempt the expulsion of the intruders.
And yet, notwithstanding these arguments, we
incline to the belief that Penn was right, and
that the interpretation of the bolder and elder
adventurer was erroneous.




46            HISTORY OF VIRGINLIAk.         [1607.
CHAPTER III.
Description of the colonists-Gentlemen idlers-Noticeable
men-Mr. Hunt —Mr. George Percy-Captain Bartholomew
Gosnold —His death —Portrait of Captain John Smith-Careless security of the colonists-Attacked by the Indians-Fort
built and palisadoed-Newport leaves for England-Famine
and sickness in the colony-Selfishness of Wingfield-Attempts to escape from  the colony-Deposed-Sufferings
of the settlers-Their providential deliverance-Energy of
Smith-Explores the country for provisions-Conspiracy of
Wingfield and Kendall-Death of Kendall-Abundance in
the colony.
WHILE  Smith and his companions were on.
their return voyage from the royal village of
Powhattan, an  event occurred  at Jamestown
which seriously endangered the permanence of
the settlement.
But before we narrate the incidents connected
with this affair, it may, perhaps, be as well to
give a passing glance at the colonists themselves.
We have already stated that more than onehalf of those who were  destined  to  form  the
nucleus of a great and powerful nation were
gentlemen by birth and education. But, if by
this it should be understood that the majority of
them were men of wealth and standing in their
own land, the conclusion would be very far from
correct.  On the contrary, at least four-fifths of




1607.]       -GENTLEMtN IDLERS.             47
those who styled themselves gentlemen, and by
the courtesy of their companions were acknowledged as such, were starveling gallants, thriftless
younger sons, reckless tavern-haunting vagabonds,
sent by their friends to Virginia, to escape a
worse fate at home; —a part of that floating scum
which always rises in the midst of a dense population.
These idle do-nothings in taffeta rags, with
roses in their shoes, and swaling feathers in their
hats, swaggered about among the more industrious
settlers, too proud to soil their delicate hands with
labour, but always ready to claim their full share
of the contents of the common kettle.
It was of these gentlemen, impoverished in
spirit and fortune,-these rakes and libertines,
men more fitted to corrupt, than to found a commonwealth,-that Captain Smith, at a later day,
indignantly wrote to the council in London, saying: "cI entreat you, when you send next, to
send thirty carpenters, husbandmen, gardeners,
fishermen, blacksmiths, masons, and diggers-up
of trees' roots, rather than a thousand such as
we have."
But while the vitality of the infant colony was
thus hampered by the dead weight of these
hangers-on, there yet remained a few noticeable
men, of the better class, who constantly endeavoured, both by precept and example, to sustain
its failing energies.




48         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1607.
First among these, in respect to his walk and
calling, must be mentioned the good clergyman,
Mr. Hunt. Those who have studied to any purpose the contemporaneous chronicles of the early
struggles in Virginia, cannot fail to recall the
mild, pale, patient face of this worthiest and most
beloved of men,-he who by his good doctrines
and exhortations so often succeeded in soothing
the angry, checking the unruly, and reconciling
those who were at enmity with each other.
Another of the immigrants was Mr. George
Percy, a brother of the Earl of Northumberland,
who in 1611 received from the hands of Lord
De la Warre the government of the colony, and is
worthily praised by him as a gentleman of honour
and resolution.
Among the more remarkable of the immigrants,
might also have been seen the weather-beaten
form of Captain Bartholomew Gosnold, an elderly
mariner, who, having previously made several
voyages along the coast of America, became one
of the most enthusiastic and efficient promoters
of the enterprise which led to its settlement.
The honest old seaman did not live long enough
to witness the success of the scheme he had so
generously fostered. Within a few months after
his landing upon the peninsula of Jamestown,
there was an open grave in the little churchyard
of the colony, and around it stood many haggard
and half-famished mourners, while the voice of




1607.]      PROMINENT SETTLERS.           49
good Mr. Hunt, in accents mournful yet solemn,
murmured those awfully sublime words which form
the grandest service for the dead in any known
tongue.
But the man of men, he who, though but of
medium stature, was elevated by his deeds a full
head and shoulders above his companions, was
young Captain John Smith.  His portrait yet
remains for the satisfaction of those curious in
such matters; A sturdy, athletic figure, clad in
leathern doublet and trunk hose, gathered loosely
at the knee; low-quartered shoes beneath, and
on his head a broad-leaved beaver: the face,
indicative of the man, bearded like the pard,
swarthy, and of a leonine aspect.
Returning to Jamestown, we shall find, that
during the absence of Smith and his companions-an absence extended to some eight or ten
days-but little was done by the colonists.
Wingfield, the governor, as feeble and vacillating as he had heretofore proved himself malicious, was but ill calculated to direct and govern
as unruly a set of spirits as were ever associated
together, even in a tavern haunt of Alsatia. Newport was with' Smith, and though there yet
remained behind four gentlemen of the council
only, Kendall and good old Captain Gosnold
laboured to preserve order and diligence, with
such energy as was in them.
In the mean time, the Indians, with a great




50          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1607.
show of friendship, visited the settlers daily,
bringing with them many presents of game and
fish, in order to render their coming as welcome
as possible.  Admitted thus freely into the heart
of the encampment, and mingling without restraint with both workmen and idlers, the quickeyed savages soon observed that every man was
unarmed; and that the only protection from
assault was a light semicircular breastwork,
formed of the boughs of trees, which had been
thrown up by the diligence of Captain Kendall.
This state of careless security, without doubt,
instigated the Indians, already jealous of their
lands being thus unceremoniously seized, to attempt. by a sudden attack, either the extermination or expulsion of the strange intruders.
Accordingly, the day before the return of
Smith from  Powhattan, and while the settlers
were scattered in various parts of the encampment, they were surprised by the sudden hurtling
of a cloud of arrows, followed by the shrill warwhoop of the savages. Seventeen men fell wounded, and a boy was slain; the remainder of the
colonists rushed with confused outcries towards
the ships, followed by their swarthy and exulting
foes. Fortunately, a quick hand from one of the
ships fired a cross-bar shot at the pursuers,
which, striking down a bough of a tree among
them, caused them to retire as precipitately as
they had at first advanced.




1607.]     FAMINE AND SICKNESS.            51
Thus terribly admonished, Wingfield no longer
opposed the arming of the settlers. All other
labour was suspended until a strong fort could
be erected and palisadoed; and, when this was
accomplished, Newport sailed for England, leaving the colonists to their own resources.
These -resources were soon found to be meagre
enough. The ships had scarcely been gone ten
days before almost every man in the colony was
reduced to a state of extreme weakness, either
from want of food, or from the relaxing character
of the climate.
The means of subsistence were indeed alarmingly scanty. HIalf a pint of wheat, and as much
barley, boiled in water, constituted each man's
daily allowance, and these, having ", fried " some
twenty-six weeks in the ship's hold, contained as
many worms as grains.  4 IHad we been as free
from  sins as from gluttony and drunkenness,"
writes Smith, "s we might have been canonized as
saints."
But in the midst of this dreadful famine and
sickness, and while his despairing people were
fast sinking around him, Wingfield the governor
took excellent care that his own personal comfort should suffer as little abatement as possible,
by engrossing to his private use the beef, wine,
oatmeal, and eggs, remaining in the public store.
Finding, at length, the long suppressed indignation of the colonists was roused against him,




52          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1607.
he attempted to add treachery to selfishness.
He conspired with some few others, among whom
perhaps Captain Kendall was one, to seize the
pinnace, and by thus cutting off the last hope
of escape to the settlers, leave them to their fate.
What that fate would have been, it is not difficult
to imagine.
Fortunately, the design was discovered, and as
promptly frustrated. Wingfield and Kendall were
deposed from their offices, and Ratcliffe elected
governor.
Harassed continually by the savages, and
weakened by labour, famine, and disease, within
four months, or between May and September,
one-half of the colonists died; while the remaining fifty, less happy than those who had gone
before, barely managed to sustain life from day
to day, by the sturgeon and crabs, which for their
constant wants, the river too scantily afforded.
At length, when all their provision was gone,
when even sturgeon was no longer to be had, and
while they were hourly expecting to fall beneath
the fury of the savages, by what Smith rightly
ascribes to the interposition of an overwatching
Providence, a remarkable circumstance took place.
Those very savages, hitherto so watchful and unrelenting, filled with pity for the sufferings of
which they had been so long hostile witnesses,
brought to the poor, famished, and despairing
settlers so great an abundance of fruit and pro



1607.]       ENERGY OF SMITI.             53
visions, that health was speedily restored, and no
man any longer wanted for food.
By the death of Captain Gosnold and the deposition of Wingfield and Kendall, the government
of the colony fell into the hands of three persons
only; Ratcliffe, the governor, and Martin, and
Smith, of the council.  The two former, being
men of weak judgment in danger, and little industry in peace, soon committed the management
of affairs abroad into the hands of their more
energetic associate.
The happy consequence of this surrender of
power to the only man capable of exercising it to
the best advantage, was soon made clearly apparent. Placing himself at the head of the work
to be performed, Smith set some to build houses,
some to mow and collect reeds, and others to
thatch; always selecting the severest labour for
himself; so that, in a short time, he had provided
the most of his companions with comfortable
dwellings, neglecting any for his own use. When
this was done, finding the provisions brought in
by the savages falling short, he took the pinnace,
and made several journeys to KIecoughtan and
the river Chickahominy, where he succeeded in
obtaining supplies of corn.
But what he carefully provided, the rest as
carelessly spent; and while he was absent, Wingfield and Kendall, then living in disgrace, enticed
some sailors and others to join them in seizing




54          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1607.
the pinnace, with the intention of deserting the
colony and sailing for England. The conspiracy
was very near being successful; just as they were
in the act of taking their departure, Smith unexpectedly returned, and bringing his cannon to
bear upon the receding vessel, compelled the conspirators either to stay, or sink.  They chose to
haul to, and surrender, but not until after Captain
Kendall had fallen in the action.  A little while
subsequent to this, another project was formed
by Governor Ratcliffe and Captain Archer to
obtain the pinnace, and abandon the country.
This plot was also discovered, and as promptly
suppressed by Smith. And now, the winter approaching, the rivers became so covered with wild
fowl that they daily feasted.  What with good
bread, vegetables, fish, and various sorts of game,
as fat as they could eat them, even the most
froward and dissatisfied among them became perfectly reconciled to the country, and no longer
desired to leave it.




1607.]        JEALOUSY OF SMITH.                55
CHAPTER IV.
Smith's superior abilities create envy-He explores the Chickahominv River to its source-Three of his men slain by the
Indians-Smith taken prisone: —Led in procession to Orapakes-Gratitude of a savage-Smith carried in triumph
through various tribes-Reaches Pamunkey-Singular conjurations of the medicine-men-Is taken to Werowocornoco
-Regal state of Powhattan-Smith sentenced to deathRescued by Pocahontas-His release-Returns to Jamestown-Represses the malcontents-They plot his deathHis summary proceedings.
THE superior talents of Captain Smith had by
this time made themselves so manifest, that in
proportion to the esteem in which he was held by
the generality of the people, he was hated by the
malcontents whose evil designs he had so signally
thwarted.
Even the governor and Captain Martin, finding
their official station but lightly regarded, began
to look upon their more vigorous associate with
an evil eye. Being determined to rid themselves
of his presence in the settlement as much as possible, they taunted Smith with not having discovered the head of Chickahominy River, and
charged him with dilatoriness. The fiery and
impetuous soldier, who could but ill brook an
accusation of this kind, immediately set sail on
his voyage of exploration, although the season
was so far advanced as to make the adventure
both dangerous and uncertain.




56          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1607.
Entering the river, he sailed toward its source,
until its manifold obstructions prevented his barge
from proceeding any farther.  Leaving his little
vessel at the distance of a bow-shot from the
shore, after giving strict orders to his crew not to
land, but to await his return, he entered a small
canoe, and with two Englishmen and a couple of
Indian guides, penetrated twenty miles higher,
until he reached the marshes which were formed
at the head of the river.
lie was scarcely out of sight of the barge, before the men, disobeying his commands, went
ashore and were surprised by the Indians, who
had been directed by Opechancanough, the
brother of Powhattan, to watch their motions.
One man, George Cassen, was captured, and after
being interrogated as to the direction taken by
Captain Smith, was put to death.  The rest
escaped with difficulty to the barge.
The Indians now started in pursuit of Smith,
killed the two men he had left in charge of his
canoe, and at length discovered the captain himself.  Although surrounded by two hundred savages, Smith, unconscious of the fate which had
befallen his companions, resolved to attempt a
retreat towards his canoe. Binding the Indian
guide to his arm as a shield against the arrows of
his foes, he kept up a running fire upon them,
killed three, and wounded many others. During
this time, however, Smith himself had not escaped




1607.]        SMITH CAPTURED.              57
wholly unscathed. One arrow had already pierced
his thigh, and several penetrated his clothes;
but his courage was so well appreciated, and the
dread of his fire-arms was so great, that it is probable he might even -then have succeeded in
making good his escape, if, while retiring with
his face toward his foes, he had not fallen into a
marshy creek.  Notwithstanding  he was thus
most effectually disabled, the Indians were afraid
to approach him until, being nearly dead with
cold, he threw away his arms.
Drawing him from the creek, they led him
toward his canoe, where the first sight that met
his eyes was the dead bodies of his two men,
shot full of arrows, and lying by the fire they
had lighted; the embers of which were still glowing.
After suffering the Indians to chafe his benumbed limbs until the blood once more circulated
freely, Smith demanded to be shown their chief.
As soon as Opechancanough presented himself,
the young soldier drew fromn his pocket a round
ivory double compass dial, and gave it to his
captor. The savages immediately gathered round
the singular piece of mechanism, and were greatly
astonished at the incessant motion of the needle,
which they could see so plainly, and yet not
touch, because of the glass by which it was covered. But when Smith demonstrated, by means
of that little instrument, the roundness of the




58          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1607.
earth and skies, the spherical character of the
sun, moon, and stars, and many other suchlike
mysteries, they were filled with awe and admiration.
If, however, the bold young soldier sought by
this means to ingratiate himself with the savages
and so win them  over to his release, he was
doomed to a bitter disappointment.  Within an
hour afterward they suddenly pinioned his arms,
and tying him to a tree, as many as could stand
about him bent their bows, and were in the act
of despatching him, when Opechancanough, holding up the compass in his hand, @ommanded them
to desist.
He was then led in triumphant procession,
under a strong guard, to the town of Orapakes.
As he approached it, all the women and children
came out to gaze at the great warrior, whose renown had already preceded him.
On entering the town the procession halted.
The Indians, then forming a ring, danced wildly
about their prisoner, accompanying their uncouth
gestures with songs and ear-piercing yells.
All this while Smith and Opechancanough
stood in the midst guarded.,  When the dances
were ended, Opechancanough conducted his prisoner to a long house, covered with mats, where
he was placed under the protection of some thirty
or forty warriors, every one with his head and
shoulders painted of a bright scarlet colour, and




1607.]       SMITH IMPRISONED.             59
all of them bearing bows in their hands, a quiver
of arrows and a club slung at their backs, and on
the arm of each, by way of vambrace, a fox, or
otter's skin.
Food was soon afterward set before him in quantities sufficient for twenty men, and at midnight
another and equally abundant supply was brought
in. What he did not eat was put into baskets and
slung to the rafters above his head. No one was
suffered to partake of the meal with him.
The next morning  fresh provisions  were
brought, and in such profusion, that Smith conjectured the design of the savages was to fatten,
and then eat him. Even in this desperate strait,
he met with an instance of gratitude which is
well worthy of record.
Observing him to shiver with the cold, an Indian
by the name of Macassater stript himself of his
own robe and gave it to Smith, in requital for
some beads and other toys which the latter had
presented him on his first arrival in Virginia.
The second day of his imprisonment, an Indian,
in revenge for the loss of his son, who then lay
mortally wounded, attempted to murder Smith,
but his purpose was prevented by the timely interposition of the guards.
It is an evidence of their credulous belief in
the almost supernatural power of their prisoner,
that they conducted him to the couch of the
dying man, with the hope of his being yet able




60          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1607.
to restore him to health.  With that quickness
of perception which so eminently marked the
character of the man, Smith immediately profited
by the opportunity. He told them, that at Jamestown he had a water that would do it, if they
would permit him to go there for it; this, however, they shrewdly declined. On the contrary,
they made great preparations for an assault upon
the settlement, and sought the advice of their
prisoner. As an inducement to assist them, they
offered him  life, liberty, and land.  The wily
soldier neither accepted nor refused, but, temporizing with them, obtained with great difficulty
permission to send messengers to the fort, bearing his table-book, ostensibly for the purpose of
obtaining certain things for his own use, but in
reality with a view to inform the colonists of his
situation, and place them on their guard against
surprise.
Notwithstanding the way was long, and the
weather bitter cold, the messengers performed
their journey and returned to Orapakes within
three days, wondering greatly by what strange
conjurations it was that a small piece of white
paper could be made to talk.
But if this, to them, singular faculty of conveying his thoughts to a distance by means of certain
arbitrary characters, led them to regard their
prisoner with increased awe, it did not prevent
them from rejoicing still more heartily at the




1607.]     INDIAN INCANTATIONS.           61
knowledge that so dangerous a man was a captive in their hands.
Triumphantly, and with songs and dances, they
led him captive through the chief towns of the
surrounding tribes, and thence back again to the
king's habitation at Pamunkey.
At this place a consultation appears to have
been held among the chief priests and medicinemen of the various tribes. The subject of their
deliberations was one of great gravity and moment. It was to ascertain whether the captive
white warrior, whose marvellous doings challenged alike the admiration and the fears of the
savages, was possessed of evil intentions toward
them.
It was a knotty problem, the solution of which
could only be obtained by fearful conjurations,
and the exercise of their best skill in art magic.
Accordingly, one morning, a great fire was
made in one of the larger wigwams, and on opposite sides of the fire mats were spread. Then
Smith, with his hands firmly bound, was brought
in by his guards, and after being seated upon a
mat was left, for a short time, entirely alone.
Presently a man, painted black, holding a gourd
rattle in his hand, and covered above his head
and shoulders with snakes and weasel's skins,
bounded into the apartment, chanting an invocation; with a loud voice and many passionate
gestures, he encircled the fire with a broad ring
6




62          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1607.
of Indian meal.  When this was accomplished,
three others came rushing in, painted particoloured, in black, red, and white. After dancing and gesticulating for a while, these last were
joined by three more, painted red about the eyes,
and with their blackened faces relieved by streaks
of white. These also danced about their prisoner
in a savage and grotesque manner, and then they
all sat down opposite to Smith, three on the one
side of the chief medicine-man, and three on the
other.
They now commenced a song.  When it was
ended, the chief medicine-man laid down five
grains of corn. After working himself into such
a passionate phrensy that his veins swelled out
like cords, and the perspiration was visible in
large drops, he began a short oration, at the conclusion of which they all gave a groan.  Many
other brief orations followed, all of which were
terminated by a groan, and the dropping of three
additional grains, until the fire was twice encircled by these little heaps of corn. Small bundles of sticks were now laid with similar ceremonies between each division of corn. When the
approach of night put an end to the conjurations,
which had. been performed fasting, they all ate
and drank heartily, and then retired. The conclusion to which the priests arrived, after three
days spent in this manner, may be reasonably
inferred from what followed.




1607.]          POCAHONTAS.               63
All this time, Powhattan the emperor, standing apparently upon his dignity, waited at Werowocomoco until the captive should be brought
before him. When Smith reached there, the procession was increased at the entrance of the town
by the addition of two hundred warriors. It now
halted, till Powhattan, arrayed in his robes of
dignity, gave permission for the captive to be
admitted into his presence.
In his royal dwelling, upon a raised seat, sat
King Powhattan, covered with a great robe made
of raccoon-skins. On each side of him sat a
young girl of sixteen or eighteen years; and,
stretching along both walls of the house were
two rows of men, and behind them, as many women. Standing near the feet o' Powhattan, was
an Indian maiden, some thirteen years of age,
clad in a succinct robe of the pliantest deer-skin,
prettily fringed, and musical with tinkling ornaments. Around her neck she wore several long
necklaces of white beads, through which her left
arm was looped, after the custom of the Indian
girls in those days. It was Pocahontas, the
favourite daughter of King Powhattan.
When the captain entered, all the people gave
a great shout; but Pocahontas, flinging back the
jet black hair from her swarthy brow, gazed
eagerly upon the bearded face of the wonderful
white warrior, and uttered never a word.
Food was now brought and set before Smith,




64         EISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1607.
The queen of Appomattox attended him  with
water to wash his hands, while another stood by
to hand him a bunch of feathers, instead of a
towel, to dry them.
After' he had eaten, a long consultation was
held by Powhattan and his swarthy advisers in
relation to the future disposal of their prisoner.
The conclusion they came to had at least the
merit of being summary.
Two great stones were brought in and placed
upon the ground before Powhattan. At a signal
from the latter, as many warriors as could grasp
the prisoner sprang toward him, and dragged him,
struggling fiercely, to where the stones were set.'Upon these, some forced their captive to lay his
head, while others stood behind, with their warclubs upraised, ready to beat out his brains.
During this scene of excitement and terror, the
Princess Pocahontas stood near by, agitated beyond measure at the impending fate of the brave
young soldier. Seeing the warriors nerving themselves to strike, she broke away from those who
would have restrained her, and seizing the head
of Smith in her arms, laid her own head upon
his, saving, by this heroic act, the life of England's
worthiest adventurer, and making her name immortal in the annals of the new world. Two days
after this unexpected deliverance, Powhattan released Smith from his imprisonment, and sent him
under the conduct of twelve guides to Jamestown.




1607.]        SMITHIS RETURN.             65
Before the emperor took leave of his captive,
he made him promise to bestow upon the guides
two great guns and a grindstone, for the use of
their master.
In two days they reached the fort, and after
the savages were refreshed, Smith, mindful of his
promise, pointed out to the servant of Powhattan
two small pieces of cannon and a mill-stone, and
bade him instruct his companions to carry them
to Werowocomoco; but, says the old chronicler
with a grim  smile, when they essayed to lift
them they found them somewhat too heavy, and
were fain to put up with toys and such like gewgaws instead.
Most fortunate was it for the safety of the
colony that Smith was returned there so unexpectedly. Only forty men remained alive, while
the malcontents, consisting of those who called
themselves the better sort, were making their
preparations once more to run away with the
pinnace, intending to leave their preacher, Mr.
Hunt, and twenty-seven others, to their fate. For
the third time, at the hazard of his life, Smith
forced the conspirators to abandon their enterprise.
Finding their plans thus foiled, the wretched
and malignant men, with Ratcliffe the governor
at their head, turned upon Smith himself, and
plotted to put him to death by the Levitical law
for the loss of the two men who had been slain




66           HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.          [1608.
by the savages.  They little knew  with whom
they had to deal. Before they could consummate
their plans, they found themselves under arrest
by the orders of Smith, who did not hesitate to
imprison the principals until he could send them
back to England.
CHAPTER V.
Arrival of the second supply-Newport opens a trade with
Powhattan-Is outwitted by the emperor-Sagacity of Smith
-Value of blue beads-Mania for gold-seeking in Virginia
-Arrival of the Phoenix-Smith explores the Chesapeake
-Returns to Jamestown-Sails, and completes his discoveries
-Character of Smith-Elected governor of Virginia-Arrival of the third supply-Coronation of Powhattan-His regal
intractability-Affairs at Jamestown-Energetic conduct of
Smith-Powhattan attemps to starve out the colony-Expedition of Smith to Werowocomoco.
THE return of Newport from  England with
fresh though limited supplies, and one hundred
and twenty immigrants, had the effect of abating
for a little while the distracted condition of the
colony. This happening shortly after the release
of Smith, word was quickly sent to Powhattan
that Newport had come back to Jamestown, and
was preparing to pay him a visit. To make his
reception gracious in advance, Newport sent Powhattan many presents, which he had brought over
for him, and with the latter expressed himself
much pleased.
Taking with him in the pinnace a quantity of




1608.]  BARTER WITH THE INDIANS.          67
goods adapted, as he supposed, to the peculiar
tastes of the Indians, Newport, accompanied by
Smith, set sail, and in due time reached Werowocomoco, where they were received by Powhattan in his usual barbarous state.
After having been duly feasted, and the customary songs and dances were over, Newport
proposed to Powhattan to barter such commodities as he had brought with him for corn, of which
the colony stood in great need.
Vulgar trade, however, the wily emperor affected to despise.  "s Captain Newport," said he,
6" it is not agreeable to my greatness, to truck in
this peddling manner for trifles. I am a great
Werowance; and I esteem  you as the same;
therefore, lay me down all your commodities together: what I like I will take, and in return you
shall have what I conceive to be their value."
Smith reminded Captain Newport of the hazard
he would incur by accepting the proposition; but
Newport, being a vain man, and expecting to dazzle Powhattan by his bounty, complied with his
request, and it unluckily proved as Smith had
predicted. "G The corn," said the latter, ", might
as well have been purchased in old Spain; we
received but four bushels, when we expected
twenty hogsheads."
Smith next tried his hand, and relied for success, not upon the emperor's sagacity, but on his
simplicity. He accordingly took some toys, or




68 iHISTORY OF VIRGINIA.              [iG0s8
gewgaws, and by glancing them dexterously in
the light, they showed to great advantage.
Powhattan soon fixed his observing eye upon a
string of blue beads, and became anxious to obtain
them. Smith, however, seemed only the more unwilling to part with them; s they being," as he
said, " composed of a most rare substance of the
colour of the skies, and fit only to be worn by
the greatest kings in the world." ]But the more
reluctant Smith affected to be, the more eager
Powhattan grew to become the owner of such
precious jewels; and a bargain was at length
struck between the subtle captain and the emperor, to the entire satisfaction of both parties; by
which Smith obtained, for a pound or two of blue
beads, two or three hundred bushels of corn.
By the same coy method of traffic, he subsequently obtained at an equally small cost another
large supply of corn from his old enemy, Opechancanough, King of Pamunkey.
Blue beads, being thus elevated into imperial
symbols of enormous value, afterward grew in
such estimation among the Indians, that none but
great Werowances, and their wives and daughters, were permitted to wear them.
Newport, having brought over with him, besides
the usual complement of poor gentlemen, sundry
goldsmiths and refiners, the mania for searching
out mines of the precious metals spread throughout all classes of the colonists. Smith, with his




1608.]          GOLD MANIA.               69
strong common sense, endeavoured to turn their
thoughts into a more practical channel; but in
vain. The refiners, with their golden promises,
made all men their slaves. There was no talk
now-no hope —no work; but dig gold-wash
gold-refine gold-load gold, such a continual
outcry about gold, that one mad fellow desired to
be buried in the sands, lest they should by their
art make gold of his bones.
And thus the weeks flew by, and the ships
stayed, until' the provisions which should have
supported the colonists were eaten up in a' vain
search after that, which to the last was never
found.
Smith never countenanced these golden schemes,
but often told Captain Martin, that unless the refiners could show him substantial proofs, he was
not enamoured with their dirty skill. Nothing
tormented him  more than to see all necessary
business thus neglected. He advised Newport to
freight the ship with cedar, which could be done
at once, rather than linger out his time, to the
great detriment of the colony and the heavy cost
of his employers. Newport, however, who, though
a good seaman, was a self-opinionated man, preferred to load his ship with spangled earth, and
so he waited until the approach of spring, when
he departed with his valueless burden.
He had not been long gone, when the Phoenix,
commanded by Captain Nelson, arrived at James



70         HIISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1608.
town, to the great joy of the colonists, who had
given her up as lost.
The captain of the Phoenix, being a less visionary man than his predecessor, agreed to freight
his ship with cedar, and this being speedily accomplished, he set sail for England.
As soon as the colonists were left once more to
follow their appropriate labours, Smith fitted out
an open barge of three tons burden, and quitted
Jamestown, with a crew of fourteen men, to explore the waters of the Chesapeake Bay.
When he first set sail, some of his men, who were
newly arrived in Virginia, and had yet to learn
the indomitable character of their leader, loudly
expressed their fears that on the first alarm he
would return to the settlement, leaving the object
of his expedition unaccomplished; but when they
had been crowded in the small barge about two
weeks, often tired at the oars, and with their
bread so spoiled with wet that it had become
partly rotten, they began to murmur at his obsti-.nacy in still holding his resolution to proceed.
A-fter enduring for some time their continual
complaints and importunities, Smith addressed
them in the following memorable words:
"4 Gentlemen, if you would remember the wellknown history of Sir Ralph Lane, and how his
company entreated him  to proceed in the discovery of Moratico, alleging they had yet a dog
remaining, which, being boiled with sassafras




1608.]    SMITH'S DETERMINATION.          71
leaves, would richly feed them during their return; then what a shame it would be for you,
who have been so suspicious of my timidity, to
force me to put back, having so much provision,
while scarcely able, as yet, to give any account
of where we have been, and utterly ignorant of
that which we were sent to seek.
"4 You cannot say I have not shared with you
in the worst which is past; and for what is to
come, either of lodging, diet, or whatsoever, I am
contented to receive the worst part myself. As
for your fears that I will lose myself in these
large unknown waters, or be swallowed up in
some stormy gust-abandon these childish fancies.
Worse than has already been experienced is not
likely to happen; and there is already as much
danger in returning as in going forward. Regain
therefore your old spirits, for return I will not
-ifit please God-till I have seen the Massawomacs, found the Potomac, or penetrated to the
head of this water which you imagine to be endless."
After this decided expression of his will, all
hope of changing his determination vanished.
He did proceed.  He did discover the Potomac.
He sailed up that noble river, and crossing the
country by land, examined a mine, the earth of
which, so Newport had assured them, had been
assayed in England and pronounced to contain
large quantities of silver.




72          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1608.
For seven weeks Smith continued his explorations, examining and noting every creek, harbour, and inlet, both on the eastern and western
shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Many skirmishes
and some sharp encounters he had with the natives; but by his coolness, sagacity, and skill,
not one of his little company received any serious
injury. The exhaustion of his provisions, and
his own painful condition-he having been poisoned by a sea-nettle-compelled him at length
to relinquish the further prosecution of his voyage, and return to Jamestown.
Such however was his energy, that three days
had scarcely elapsed, before his barge, refitted
and manned with twelve of the same crew, was
once more floating down the James River, for
the purpose of completing the previous discoveries.
This second exploration of the Chesapeake
Bay ended with the most perfect results. Smith
not only penetrated to the head of the bay, but
also ascended its various tributaries as far as they
were navigable.  He held conferences with the
Maassawomacs, the Susquehannas, the Patuxents,
and the Rappahannocks, fought with such as
were hostile, and was friendly with all who met
him in the same spirit; navigated the waters for
forty-four days, sailed in that time some three
thousand miles, and made a chart of the whole
region, with its rivers, creeks, islands, harbours,




1608.]      CHARACTER OF SMITH.           73
and inlets, which has been valued for its correctness down to the present time.
And here, perhaps, is the most fitting place to
exhibit one other bright phase in the character
of this remarkable man.
Bred from his youth a soldier, he was yet
singularly free from those vices which so frequently attach themselves to such as follow the
profession of arms. He neither drank wine,
swore oaths, nor gambled; but it was his daily
custom to preface the duties of the morning by
prayer and the singing of a psalm. This pious
habit the keen-eyed savages soon remarked, and
whenever afterward in their discourses to the
whites they had occasion to speak of the Deity,
they invariably referred to him as "s the God of
Captain Smith."
In regard to the conduct of Smith toward the
natives, the opinions of men will naturally differ;
but he who seeks to form a correct judgment
in this matter, must weigh the acts of the young
soldier by the standard of the times in which he
lived, and not by the finer balance of the present
day.
In all nobility of spirit; in self-abnegation
where the wants of others conflicted with his own;
in manly piety, energy, and daring; in soundness of judgment, quickness of decision in emergencies, and in the art of winning the love of all
with whom he came in contact,-except, perhaps,
7




74         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1608.
the most depraved,-he will compare worthily
with the most popular of those who have been
called heroes, either in ancient or in modern times.
On the 3d of September, 1608, Smith was
elected governor of the colony. Newport arrived
shortly after with seventy immigrants, among
whom were Mistress Forest and Annie Burras,
these being the first English women that settled in the colony.  The council was reorganized by the admission of new members; and
then, as Newport had brought with him a tinsel
crown, a scarlet cloak, and other mock insignia
of royalty, Smith was despatched to Powhattan
for the purpose of bringing the latter to Jamestown, where Newport proposed to perform the
ceremony of investiture and coronation.
But though Powhattan was always gratified at
receiving presents from  the English, he was by
no means inclined to place the safety of his royal
person in their hands.  He therefore answered
haughtily.
"c If your king has sent me presents, I also am
a king, and this is my land; eight-days I will remain here to receive them.  Newport is to come
to me, not I to him, nor to your fort. I will not
bite at such a bait."
Accordingly, Newport, finding the emperor intractable, was compelled to go in person to Werowocomoco.
The next day was appointed for the corona



1608.]  CORONATION Or POWHATTAN.          75
tion. As soon as the time arrived, the presents
were brought in.  They consisted of a ewer
and bason, a bedstead with its customary furniture, a gay scarlet cloak, and other apparel, and
a gilded'crown.
After much ado and solicitation, King Powhattan suffered himself, though with great reluctance,
to be inducted into his regal habiliments; but
neither persuasion nor argument could induce
him to kneel for the purpose of receiving his
crown. Though the English self-constituted masters of ceremonies sought to explain that such
was the approved and fashionable method in use
among his brother monarchs in the old world,
kneel he would not.
The difficulty, however, was at length happily
removed, by some of them leaning heavily on the
emperor's shoulder, which causing him to stoop
a little, three of the company, lifting the crown
between them, placed it upon his head.
And thus ended the coronation of King Powhattan, who did not forget that it was the duty
of a monarch to bestow largesse upon any occasion which implied increase of dignity; in token
whereof, he graciously presented Newport with
his cast-off mantle and old shoes 
The. state of affairs at Jamestown, under the
rigid supervision of Governor Smith, quickly assumed a more promising aspect.
Buildings were erected and renovated; the




76          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1608.
church repaired; the fort altered and strengthened; a military guard organized, and trained in
squads daily; while every Saturday, the whole
of the colonists were exercised in arms on the
plain by the west bulwark.
The savages too, well knowing the character
of the man with whom they would now have to
deal, became all at once remarkably friendly
and conciliating. The Princess Pocahontas also
visited the town occasionally, with her wild followers, always bringing with her presents of corn,
and game, and fruit, as substantial evidences of
her regard.
In assigning the various duties in the way of
labour among the colonists, Smith spared none.
The rustic, in his eyes, was equal to the gentleman; or, rather, he regarded the former as a
more important member of the body politic,
especially if he was able-bodied and an efficient
master of his craft. Nor did the brave young
governor spare himself.  Whatever was to be
done, he led the way, and bade others profit by
the example.
Thirty of them he took down the river some
five miles below Jamestown, where he taught
them to cut down trees and make clap boards;
but the axes so often blistered the delicate fingers
of the labouring gentlemen, that almost every
third stroke was accompanied by an oath.
Smith's remedy for idleness was no food, and




1606.]      CURE FOR SWEARING.             77
a very excellent remedy it proved. Hils recipe
for the cure of profane swearing was far more
whimsical, but equally successful.  He had a
regular account kept of the number of expletives
which each man gave-vent to; and at night, for
every separate oath, a can of cold water was
poured down the sleeve of the offender.
A few rigid applications of the prescribed penalty effected so complete a cure of the propensity,
to swear, that in a little while scarcely an oath
was to be heard in a week.
The continued influx of immigrants, notwithstanding the presents he had received, began to
make Powhattan uneasy; and knowing that the
colonists had never yet been able to raise more
corn than was sufficient to subsist them for a few
weeks, he directed his people to withhold their
usual supplies of that necessary article of food.
This course of procedure, being persisted in,
brought the condition of the colony down to the
starving point. After several voyages in search
of provisions had been made without success by
his subordinates, Governor Smith, whom no
persuasions could induce to starve quietly, determined to try whether he could not effect a
better result by a journey to head-quarters, and
an expedition was immediately organized for that
purpose.




78           HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.            [1609.
CHAPTER VI,
Smith sets out for Werowocomoco-Is visited by Powhattan
-Smith's speech-Reply of Powhattan —Difficulties in the
way of bartering for corn-Subtle conduct of the emperor
-Smith and his companions surrounded by armed IndiansRout of the latter-Supplies of corn obtained-Powhattan's
treachery-, Visit of Pocahontas-The project frustratedSmith sails for Pamunkey-Is entertained by Opechancanough-Demands a supply of corn-Fearful situation of the
whites-Smith takes Opechancanough prisoner-Surrender
of his warriors-Their sudden friendship-The barges freighted with corn-Return to Jamestown.
ON the 29th of December, 1608, Governor
Smith out on his voyage to Werowocomoco. His
acknowledged purpose was, either to trade with
Powhattan for corn in a fair and impartial manner; or, if that was found impossible, to beat up
the Indian head-quarters, and seize a supply of
provision by force.
The expedition consisted of the pinnace of
twenty tons, and the little barge used in the exploration of the Chesapeake Bay.  The number
of volunteers amounted to forty-six men.
On the 12th of January, after having been
warned by the friendly chief of Warraskoyack
that the intentions of Powhattan were of the most
sanguinary nature, Smith reached the vicinity of
Werowocomoco; but could not bring his vessels
closer than within half a mile of the land, on ac



1609.]    SMITH AND POWIHATTAN.           79
count of the ice which stretched far out into the
Pamunkey river, and of the oozy marshes beyond.
This, however, did not deter the governor long.
Breaking the thin edge of the ice so as to lay his
vessels as near to the town as possible, he sprang
from the bow of the barge, crossed the frozen
space, and plunging into the mud and ooze, middle deep, called upon his companions to follow.
As soon as all were landed, Smith took possession
of the nearest houses, and sent a messenger to
Powhattan, demanding refreshments for his men.
Smothering his resentment, the emperor immediately complied with a request the peremptory
character of which admitted of no evasion.
The next day he visited Smith in person. After stating that he had no corn for sale, and that
he had not invited them there, he asked, with a
gleam of his old spirit, how long the intruders
intended to stay?
It happened, however, that Powhattan really
had promised to freight the pinnace with corn,
provided the governor would send him men to
build a house, together with a specified number
of guns and swords; a grindstone, and some copper and beads.
The men and the minor articles were despatched accordingly, but the weapons were prudently refused.
So when Powhattan protested he had neither
sent for mechanics or merchandise; Smith, point



80         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1609.
ing to the men themselves, who were standing
near by, asked the emperor how it was possible
he could be so forgetful?
Finding himself thus palpably convicted of an
untruth, Powhattan burst into a hearty laugh,
and asked to be shown their commodities.
These were quickly displayed; but he would
barter for nothing but guns and swords. Copper
was freely offered him, but he would have nothing
to do with it; telling them he could put a value
upon his corn, but not upon their copper.
Smith, perceiving the intention of the emperor
was not to trade at all, unless he could do it in
his own way, threw aside aside all diplomacy, and
addressed Powhattan in his usual plain, straightforward manner.  4Powhattan," said he,,,although I had many ways whereby I could have
obtained the provisions I required, yet, believing
in your promise to supply my wants, I neglected
them all to satisfy your desire.  To give you an
evidence of my affection, I sent you my men to
complete you a house, leaving my own unfinished.
The corn your people had you have seized, forbidding them to trade with us; and now you
think by consuming the time to make us perish
with want, because we cannot comply with your
strange demands. As for swords and guns, I told
you long ago I had none to spare; and you well
know that those I have can keep me from wanting food. Yet, steal from you, or wrong you, I




1609.]   SUBTILTY OF POWHATTAN.           81
will not; nor will I dissolve that friendship which
has hitherto existed between us, unless you force
me to do so by bad usage."
Having listened very attentively to this discourse, Powhattan promised that both he and his
subjects would bring into the town whatever corn
they had to spare within two days; and then
turning with his grave, subtle manner toward the
sturdy governor, he said:
", Captain Smith, it is the doubt I yet have of
your true reasons for coming hither, that makes
me refrain from relieving your wants. I have
been informed by many persons that your object
in coming here, is not to trade, but to possess my
country and harass my people, who, seeing you
and your men thus armed, are afraid to bring you
their corn.  To free us from this fear, leave your
weapons aboard, for we being all friends they
are needless here."
To this, however, Smith would by no means
consent, and the day passed without either party
yielding to the other.
The next morning, before the savages arrived
with their supplies from the inland towns, Smith
managed to obtain ten quarters of corn from
Powhattan, in exchange for a copper kettle.
With this barter both were well contented; but
the emperor by no means relished trading with
men who carried their weapons in one hand, and
their commodities in the other. He began, there



82          HISTORY Or VIRGINIA.       [1609.
fore, another long discourse, eulogizing the blessings of peace, and expressing his wish to maintain
friendly relations with his white neighbours. He
said pathetically, that he had seen the death of
three generations of his people, not one of whom
was then living but himself; that he was very
old, and must soon die, and that he desired to
leave the whites on good terms with his successors.
Smith in reply, reminded Powhattan how often
the savages had violated the promises which had
been made in their behalf, and how kindly they
had been treated notwithstanding. As for the
wearing of arms, he said, that should not be construed into evil intentions, because they had repeatedly shown that it was not their wish to use
them, except in self-defence, or to punish some
aggressive act.
The old emperor, finding it almost impossible
to make any impression upon the wary and uncompromising soldier, breathed a deep sigh, and
said, in a tone of well-feigned reproach:
"c Captain Smith, I never in my life used any
chief so kindly as I have you; and yet, from you
I have met with the least friendly return.  Captain Newport gave me freely of every thing I desired, and received in return whatever I was
pleased to offer. He would send away his guns
at my request, and if you are disposed to show
an equal friendship, let the men put aside their
weapons, and I will believe you."




1609.]        SMITHI'S DECISION.           83
Smith, having at this time but eighteen men
on shore, perceiving that Powhattan was only
trifling with him until the hordes of armed savages,
now flocking in from all quarters, should be able
to surround his little band, quietly requested that
some of the savages might be allowed to break
the ice, so that his boat could approach the shore,
and promised on the morrow he would land his
followers unarmed.
To dissemble matters as long as possible, Powhattan gave permission to some of his people to
open a passage for the boat, and while this was
doing, having been informed that his warriors
were ready to act, he left two or three of his women to engage Smith in conversation, while he
secretly left the house in which the conference
had been held. It wvas immediately surrounded
by swarms of savages, but Smith was not the man
to take these matters quietly.  Without pausing
until they should gain confidence from his indecision, he burst out at the doorway, and after
discharging his pistol into the crowd, began to
lay about him with his sword. Being well sup.
ported by his followers, the savages fled in the
utmost confusion, falling one upon another in
their eager efforts to escape.
A short time afterward, Powhattan sent a messenger to excuse his flight, on the plea that the
approach of the boat filled with armed men had
alarmed him, and that the multitude of his peo



84         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1609.
ple, by whom the house was beset, had been sent
by him, not with hostile intentions, but for the
purpose of defending the corn from being taken
away without his having received any equivalent
remuneration for it.
A large quantity of corn had indeed been deposited near the house in baskets, and this fact
gave some colour to the explanation which had
been proffered. Smith received the excuse with
a grim smile, but when the savages officiously
proposed to take charge of the arms of his people
while they carried the corn to the boat, he reversed the proposition by suggesting that they
should throw down their bows and arrows, and
load the boat with corn for him. As the suggestion of Smith, though quietly made, was doubtless accompanied by a significant show of weapons on the part of his men, the savages thought
it best to acquiesce in the new arrangement.
Stimulated by their fears, the corn was soon taken
on board, and Smith would have quitted the place
at once, but the ebb having left his barges firmly
imbedded in the ooze, he was compelled to remain
where he was until the next high tide should float
them.
In the mean time, the savages seemed to have
forgotten their fears and their enmity. They
entertained the strangers with all manner of joyous sports and games, until it grew dark, when
they all returned to Powhattan, who was in the




1609.]     POCAHONTAS'S WARNING.           85
woods at some distance, busily engaged in reorganizing his forces to surprise Smith in the night.
It is impossible to say what might have been
the issue of this scheme, if Smith had remained
entirely ignorant of the design; but, fortunately,
his former gentle preserver, the youthful Princess
Pocahontas, threaded secretly the dark woods
and put him upon his guard.
She told Smith, that under pretence of providing himself and his companions with a bountiful supply of refreshments for their evening
meal, a number of men would be introduced,
whose instructions were to seize the weapons of
his men while they were at supper, and then murder them. If this stratagem was unsuccessful,
then an attempt was to be made by a large body
of men approaching unawares from without. She
entreated him therefore to quit the place at
once; but this Smith would not do, neither would
he take refuge on board of his boats. Thanking
Pocahontas most warmly and gratefully for the
warning she had given him, he pressed upon her
a number of trinkets, such as she usually delighted in; but she would accept of none, lest their
being found upon her person should lead her father
to suspect she had betrayed his plans; a suspicion which, if confirmed in any way, might involve
the safety of her own life. So with many tears
she tore herself from them, and departed alone
through the dark woods as secretly as she came.
8




86         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1609.
Within less than an hour after she had left,
eight or ten stout savages came to the'house,
bearing huge platters of cooked venison and other
food. Affecting to be almost suffocated with the
smoke of the matches, which were used in those
days for the purpose of firing off the guns, they
importuned Smith to have them quenched. This
modest request was of course refused by the soldier, who, suspecting that possibly the food which
they had brought might have been tampered with,
compelled each of the savages to partake of a
portion of it, before he permitted his men to
satisfy their appetites. When they had done so,
he sent several of them back to Powhattan, to
inform him that his intentions were known, and
that he, might come on as soon as he pleased, as
they were fully prepared to receive him.
This bold invitation quite frustrated the project
of the emperor, and although a strict watch was
kept up the whole of the night, the morning
dawned at length without their having received
any molestation.
At high-water the next day the barges floated,
and when all his followers were once more safely
on board, Smith exchanged courtesies with the
savages who thronged the banks to see them off,
and dropped down the river to Pamunkey. When
they reached the vicinity of the latter town, they
were entertained by Opechancanough, with a
great show of regard.  After remaining there




1609.]        OPECHANCANOUOGH.            87
three days, Smith, taking with him a detachment
of fourteen men, proceeded to the town, a quarter of a mile from the river, which they found deserted by all its usual inhabitants, except a lame
man and a boy.
It was not long, however, before Opechancanough arrived, accompanied by a considerable
number of armed men, but with scarcely any of
the provisions he had promised.
Finding himself likely to receive but a scanty
supply, unless he took decided steps to procure
it, Smith turned to Opechancanough, and after
reminding him that the previous year he had
freighted with corn the ship which had been sent
to him, said with his usual bluntness:
4 You know my want, and as I am equally
conscious of your plenty, I am resolved by some
means to have a portion of it.  Here are my
commodities; take your own choice first, and
after you have selected such as you prefer, I will
barter the remainder with your people."
Upon these terms an exchange was immediately made, the king promising the next day to
bring down a further and a larger supply. Accordingly, when the time came, Smith again proceeded to the town, where he at first found only
four or five men, each newly arrived, with a
great basket of corn. Opechancanough made
his appearance with some forty or fifty of his followers soon after, and held Smith in conversation




88         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1609.
until some seven hundred warriors, completely
armed, had surrounded the house.
Some of Smith's companions expressing a fear
of their inability to withstand such numbers, the
captain made light of the danger, and told them,
at the worst, they could fight like men, and not
die like sheep, for 4 by that means," said he,
": God hath often delivered me before, and so I
trust will now."
When the king saw that his designs were suspected, he sought to restore confidence by ordering a large present of corn to be brought and
laid outside the door. This, however, was but a
stratagem to draw Smith and his companions
from the house; for lying behind a great tree
that was blown down, were numbers of warriors,
with their bows bent ready to shoot, the moment
any of the whites attempted to pass the door.
Indignant at being encompassed about in this
manner, Smith took his resolve at once. He
sprang into the midst of the warriors within the
house, and seizing Opechancanough by his scalplock, planted a pistol against his breast, and led
him a prisoner to the door, so that the danger in
which their king was could be seen by all his
people.
This energetic act disarmed the warriors at
once. Seeing their king a prisoner, they threw
aside their weapons, brought in corn in abundance, and strove to atone by a show of eager




1609.] SMITH  RETURNS TO JAMESTOWN.                 89
friendship for their previous hostility. No further interruption occurred; the corn was taken
to the barges, as at Werowocomoco, on the backs
of the people, and when the loading was completed, Smith set sail for Jamestown.
CHAPTER VII.
Retum n of Smith to Jamestown-L-oss of Scrivener, Gosnoll, and
others-Government of Smith —Activity of the colonistsGrowing scarcity of food-Many settlers quartered around
Jamestown-Insubordination —Firmness of Smith-Arrival
of Captain ArgalI-The commissioners in England surrender their charter-A new commission granted-Lord de la
Warre appointed Governor-genielal of Virginia-Nine vessels
sail from England for the colony-Parted in a storm —Uncertain fate of the flag ship-The others of the fleet arrive in
Virginia-Difficulties with Smith-His resolute conductOpens several new plantations-Powhattan settled-Terrible
accident to Smith-His return to England-Statistics of the
colony-Its prosperous condition.
THr  return  of Smith to Jamestown was hastenedi by the tidings  of an  unhappy  accident
which had occurred during his absence. This
was no other than the loss of Mr. Scrivener,
Captain  Waldo, Anthony  Gosnoll, and  eight
others, by the upsetting of their boat in a storm
on the James liver.
He  had  no  sooner reassumed  the  reins of
government than the colony began to feel the
beneficial effects of his watchfulness and energy.




90          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1609.
Having succeeded in obtaining during his late
voyage nearly five hundred bushels of corn, and
two hundred pounds of deer suet, he considered
an economical disposition of this supply sufficient
to last the colonists for three months, or until
their own harvest came round.
His anxieties in regard to provision being thus
put to rest, he now determined to maintain no
idlers, but that all should labour equally for the
common benefit. The whole of the colonists were
therefore divided into companies of ten and fifteen
each, separate duties allotted to each company,
and the period of labour, six hours of each day,
strictly enforced. The firmness with which an
exact performance of these rules was insisted
upon soon. roused the old spirit of insubordina-!
tion among the gentlemen colonists, who ima-1
gined their birth and condition ought to exempt
them from the degradation of working for a subsistence.
But Governor Smith would admit of no exceptions. He did not even shield himself, under
cover of his office, from the performance of those
tasks which he required of others. He demanded
no more than th'at all the ablest bodied colonists
should equal him in industry.
When therefore he perceived a mutinous spirit
among those who esteemed themselves as the better class, and that they were disposed to disobey
the rules he had laid down, he took a short but




1609.]        USEFUL LABOURS.              91
most effectual method of reducing them to obedience.  Having entire control of the public
stores, from which each colonist received his rations daily, Smith decreed that those who did not
work should not eat; and hunger being a forcible
stimulant to industry, after a few of the malcontents had tested to their satisfaction the operation of the law, they found it far pleasanter to
submit than to resist.
During the three months thus busily employed,
the colonists got ready for the ships, whose arrival was expected, large quantities of pitch, tar,
pot-ashes; and succeeded in manufacturing a
small supply of glass, most probably for their
own use. They also constructed nets and wears
for fishing; built some twenty houses; thatched
the church with reeds from the adjoining marsh;
sank a well in the fort; and built a block-house
on the point of the peninsula, for the purpose of
overawing the savages. In addition to these labours, thirty acres of land were broken up and
planted with corn, and two other block-houses,
easy of defence, erected in commanding situations.
Owing to the vast increase of rats in the colony, the corn, which had been stored away in
casks, was found upon examination to have been
so seriously depredated upon, that the supply was
exhausted much earlier than was expected, and
as the season for gathering their own corn had




92          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1609.
not yet arrived, several detachments of the colonists were sent from Jamestown, and quartered
in other places, for the better convenience of obtaining food.
Under any other governor than Smith, this
policy might have been considered injudicious, as
it weakened his effective force, and exposed his
parties to be beaten in detail by the savages.
But so great was the terror with which he had
inspired the Indians, so prompt was he to repress
the least show of hostilities, and so sleeplessly
indefatigable was he in all he undertook, that the
savages well knowing a bloody retaliation would
follow any overt act on their part, were constrained to continue peaceful even when the colonists were most open to their attacks.
But while he thus held the savages in check
by the mere terror of his name, Smith had a far
more difficult task in preserving subordination
among his own people. While food was plentiful
he succeeded in repressing'disorders; but no
sooner did the supplies begin to fail, than idlers
and malcontents became so abundant, that he was
compelled to resort to severer measures than any
he had yet ventured upon. A large number of
the colonists, after importuning him unsuccessfully to barter every article they possessed, even
their weapons, for a few baskets of corn yet remaining among the Indians, had determined
among themselves to force him to comply with




1609.]    RIGOROUS REGULATIONS.           93
their wishes, by refusing to do any thing toward
providing for their own daily wants.
Smith was the last man in the world whom they
could have hoped to drive into any act to which
his judgment was opposed, and they soon found
him such.
He called a meeting of the people, and addressing himself particularly to the disaffected, he
pointed out what he had already done for the
good of the colony, and how it had more than
once been preserved through his exertions. Referring to their refusal to hunt, or fish, or even
to gather wild fruits, he said:,, I will take such measures as shall compel you
to provide for yourselves of such food as is to be
obtained. The sick shall be exempt from service,
and shall share equally with us all; but he who,
being well, does not bring in as much provision
every day as I do, shall be banished from the fort
on the morrow, and set beyond the river, until
such time as he is willing to fulfil this regulation,
or starve."
This order many considered as unnecessarily
harsh, but the obedience it demanded was rendered nevertheless; and so, amid plottings and
murmurings, the affairs of the colony moved jarringly on until the arrival of Captain Argall, with
a ship well furnished with wine and provision.
The letters brought by Argall contained much
censure of Smith, for the decided manner in




94          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1609.
which he had dealt with the savages, and
communicated at the same time the startling
intelligence of-the surrender of the Virginia
patent int into the hands of King James, and the
issue of a new commission, under which Lord
Delaware was appointed governor-general of Virginia; Sir Thomas Gates, his lieutenant; Sir
Thomas  Dale, high-marshal; Sir Ferdinand
Wainman, general of the horse; Captain Newport, vice-admiral, together with various other
officers, sufficient in number to have governed an
established kingdom, rather than the few miserable, half-starved colonists, who had only been
kept together by the incessant care of Captain
Smith.
One good effect, however, was promised by the
surrender of the old charter. Under the new
organization, the commissioners speedily raised
such large sums of money as enabled them to
despatch nine ships and five hundred immigrants
to Jamestown. The command of this fleet was
given to Newport. Sir Thomas Gates and Sir
George Somers accompanied the latter, armed
with power to cancel the old commissions, and
assume authority in the colony until the arrival
of Lord Delaware.
These three officers sailed together from England, in May, 1609, in the flag-snip of the viceadmiral, the Sea-Venture; but being separated
from the rest of the fleet in a severde'?storm, were




1609.]  SMITH'S SUPERIOR ABILITIES.        95
for some time supposed to be lost.  The other
ships arrived in due season, and the immigrants
they contained were disembarked.  Among those
who returned to the colony at this time, to the
great indignation of Smith, were his old enemies
Ratcliffe, Martin, and Archer.
A landing had no sooner been effected than the
sturdy governor found his authority disputed.
As the fate of the commissioners was uncertain,
Smith resolved to retain his office until its term
expired, unless previously superseded by the arrival of the commissioners, or by fresh orders from
England. In carrying out this determination,
he had occasion for the exercise of all that deci-.
sion of character for which he was so remarkable.
Surrounded by an unruly multitude, ignorant of
his superior qualities, and instigated by all those
who hated the salutary laws he had so rigidly
enforced, he was subjected to a constant succession of conspiracies, by which his life was placed
in continual danger.
Resolutely bent on maintaining his authority
until it could be legally transferred into proper
hands, Smith seized the chief conspirators, and
imprisoned them  in the fort.  Those of less
note he sent away from Jamestown to garrison
some of the outposts, where their enmity could
be tempered by a due regard for their personal
safety. By this means, he succeeded in repressing that condition of unbridled license with-which




96           HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1609.
the colony was threatened, and in preserving a
fair share of decorum and regularity.
No sooner, however, was his year of office expired, than he surrendered his authority to Captain Martin; but the latter was so conscious of
his own inefficiency, that, after retaining the governorship for three hours, he resigned it again
into the hands of Smith.
The large influx of colonists enabling Smith to
open plantations at a distance from the city, he
sent Captain West with one hundred and twenty
men to build a fort near the falls of James River,
and cultivate the land adjacent. Finding, on a
subsequent personal inspection, that the situation
upon which the fort had been erected was a disadvantageous one, in consequence of being subject
to overflow from the river, the governor treated
with the emperor for his ancient seat of Powhattan. This was a fine healthy location, the town
being strongly fortified with pickets, the houses
in good repair, with two hundred acres of cleared
land adjoining.
When the conditions of sale were agreed upon,
another and most unexpected difficulty arose.
West's people, being mostly new-comers, and not
inclined either to acknowledge the authority of
Smith, or to submit to his advice, determined
to remain at their new settlement. Though the
governor had but five men with him, he attempted to force the refractory settlers to obey his




1609.]     TURBULENT COLONISTS.            97
wishes, but was beaten off. Capturing the boat
containing all their provision, he attached it to
his own barge, and stood off from the place, intending to starve them into submission. After
nine days spent in a vain attempt to bring them
to a sense of their duty, during which time the
savages came daily with complaints of their disorderly conduct, Smith set sail.
He had scarcely departed, before the exasperated Indians, after attacking and killing some
of the stragglers, assaulted the fort.  Smith,
whose vessel had at this time grounded upon a
bar about a mile and a half below, immediately
put back; but the Indians had already fled with
their booty.  The garrison, now  thoroughly
alarmed, submitted themselves unconditionally to
the mercy of the governor.  Taking with him, as
prisoners, six or seven of the ringleaders, he conveyed the remainder to Powhattan, and after appeasing the Indians, and appointing new officers
to command the garrison, was about to take his
departure, when Captain West arrived.  At the
earnest intercession of the latter, Smith released
his prisoners, and delivered up the ammunition
and provision he had previously captured.  No
sooner was this done than the men grew as turbulent as before.  Conscious of his inability to
cope with such numbers, Smith left the place in
disgust, and set out for Jamestown.
9




98          HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1609.
It was during this return voyage that the sad
accident occurred which deprived Virginia of the
future services of him who is most emphatically
entitled to the honour of being styled the founder
of the colony.
While sleeping in the boat, the powder-bag he
constantly carried upon his person was accidentally set on fire by one of the crew. The explosion tore away some nine or ten inches of flesh
from his body, and the burning of his garments
occasioned such exquisite torment, that he leaped
in his agony into the river, where he came near
drowning before he was rescued. In this painful
condition he reached Jamestown.
There being no surgeon in the colony, Smith
made arrangements for the proper defence of the
settlement during his absence, and after deputing
his authority to Captain George Percy, took passage for England on board one of the ships then
lying in the harbour.
When he was compelled, by reason of his painful wound, to cross the ocean for medical advice,
the prosperity of the colony was daily increasing.
It contained nearly five hundred inhabitants, had
ten weeks' provision in the public store, was possessed of an abundance of arms and ammunition,
implements of all kinds, and a supply of clothing
amply sufficient for the wants of the settlers.
The live stock of the colony at this period consisted of six brood mares and a horse, some six




1609.] CHARACTER OF THE IMMIGRANTS.    99
hundred swine, an equal number of fowls, and a
few goats and sheep.
Jamestown, which contained some fifty or sixty
houses, Smith had taken especial pains to fortify
in the strongest manner, and had also caused to
be opened, at various distances from the town,
above and below, some five or six plantations, on
each of which a strong block-house had been erected, for the protection of such as were engaged in
agricultural pursuits in the vicinity.
When we consider the class of persons of which
the colony of Virginia was mainly composed, it
is still more astonishing that so much should have
been effected. There were only one good and
three indifferent carpenters among the whole of
the immigrants; and but two blacksmiths. Those
who came under the denomination of labourers
were merely serving-men brought over by various
adventurers to attend upon them personally, or
such idle roisterers as had never before performed
a day's work in their life. All the rest were poor
gentlemen, decayed tradesmen, libertines, and
the like, whom neither the fear of God, nor the
law, nor shame, nor the displeasure of their
friends, could rule at home.  It was a sorrowful
day for Virginia, when the disabled condition of
the only man fitted by nature and education to
control this mixed and unruly body of settlers,
constrained him to take his departure from the
shores of the new worldo




100           HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.             [1609.
CHAPTER VIII.
Captain George Percy-His reasons for remaining in the colony
-His ill-health-Factious spirit of the people-Indian hostilities —Massacre of Ratcliffe and his men-West and thirty
others turn pirates-Miserable condition of the colonistsArrival of Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George Sommers-The
colony deserted-Arrival of Lord Delaware-His judicious
measures-The colony begins to flourish —Delaware returns
to England-Disappointment of the London company —Sir
Thomas Dale sent to Virginia-His arrival-Proclaims
martial law-Sir Thomas Gates arrives at Jamestown-Assumes the government of the colony-A plantation opened
at Henrico-Private property recognised in the colony —
Beneficial results arising therefrorm-New Bermudas settled
-The third charter of the London company-Change in the
constitution —Money allowed to be raised by lottery for the
benefit of the colony.
WHEN  Captain George Percy, in 1609, consented, at the instance of Smith, to accept the
office which the latter was compelled to resign,
it was from an earnest desire to serve the colony
to the best of his ability. He had previously
intended to seek the restoration of his own failing health by a voyage to England; but well
knowing that so soon as Smith had taken his
departure, the  comparatively small number of
industrious and well-disposed settlers would fall
a prey to those reckless and unprincipled adventurers who were  already feared  by their own
countrymen, and hated by the savages, he concluded  to remain  and  endeavour to  preserve




1609.]         FACTIOUSNESS.            101
something like order, until the officers duly appointed should arrive from England.
Increasing ill-health, however, prevented him
from exercising his authority effectively, and the
condition of the colony soon became deplorable.
The community was broken up into numerous
factions; a dozen vile and worthless leaders
claimed the supremacy, while their deluded followers were encouraged to live in the most
shameless and abandoned manner.
The Indians who had shown themselves friendly were grossly maltreated. Profiting by the
absence of Smith, they broke out into open war.
They attacked and destroyed the plantations of
Martin and West, and killed nearly one-half of
their men; the remainder fled to Jamestown.
Thirty men, sent out under Ratcliffe to trade
with Powhattan, were all surprised and slain,
with the exception of two, whose lives were preserved by the Princess Pocahontas.  West, who
with a like number had been appointed to a
similar duty, deserted with his crew, and commenced a career of piracy. The supply of provisions was soon consumed.  The hogs, goats,
sheep, horses, were next devoured; and then
every article that could be traded away to the
Indians, even to the armour and weapons of defence, was exchanged for food. When these
failed, they prolonged a miserable existence upon
berries and roots. Day by day they died, either
9 i;N




102         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1610.
by the weapons of the savages or fromr sheer
starvation.  Within six months from the departure of Smith, only sixty men survived. Those
remaining could not have supported life for ten
days longer, when they were miraculously preserved from the fate of their companions.
On the 24th of May, 161.0, Sir Thomas Gates
and Sir George Sommers arrived from the Bermudas with one hundred and sixty men. Parted
from the rest of the ships by a storm at sea, they
had been driven, water-logged, upon those rocky
islands, and from the wreck of their vessels had
constructed two small barks to bear themn to
Virginia.
They expected to meet a prosperous colony,
and found nothing-but famine and a mere handful of gaunt and haggard men. Utterly dismayed at the prospect before them, they yielded
to- the general wish, and set sail for Newfoundland, hoping to obtain food for the company
among the fishing vessels which frequented that
coast.
On the 7th of June, they abandoned the scene
of so much misery; and it was with difficulty the
colonists could be persuaded from setting fire to
the town.  But it was not the will of Heaven
that so fine a country should be suffered to return to its original wildness.
The next morning, when near the mouth of
the river, they fell in with the longboat of Lord




1610.]   COLONISTS RE-ESTABLISHED.        103
Delaware, who had arrived on the coast with
three ships well furnished with all needful supplies.  With great difficulty the fugitives were
prevailed upon to return, and the same night
they again landed at Jamestown.
The following day, the 10th of June, 1610,
while the impression of their unexpected deliverance rendered them yet profoundly grateful, the
colonists, preceded by Lord Delaware and the
officers who had accompanied him, entered the
little church which Smith had newly thatched,
and within the walls of that rude but sacred
edifice, supplicated forgiveness for past errors,
and in all humility compared their condition to
that of the children of Israel, whom the arm of
the Lord of hosts conducted through the Red
Sea and the wilderness, before he suffered them
to possess, in prosperous tranquillity, the fertile
land of Canaan.
After the sermon was over, Lord Delaware instituted an inquiry into the causes of the late
disasters. Finding them to have proceeded from
the insubordination of the colonists themselves,
he reproached them with firm seriousness for the
evils they had wrought, and entreated them  to
amend past follies.
His commission having been read, he told
them he was resolved to exercise his authority,
mildly and paternally if possible; but that if he
was cofnpelled to proceed rigidly against the re



104        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1610.
fractory, he should not hesitate to enforce submission with the sword.
Regulations were soon after proclaimed for the
government of the colonists; officers were appointed, and each man allotted his particular
duty.  The effect of this was gratifying in the
extreme. Six hours of each day were set apart
for labour, the rest might be appropriated to
pastime. Nor were the offices of religion forgotten.  Before and after labour, all entered the
little church, the approach to which wvas kept
prettily adorned with native wild-flowers, and
joined in brief devotional exercises, from which
none were excused, unless unable to attend from
sickness,@ or some other justifying cause.
Under the new administration no idlers were
suffered. Even the gentlemen had duties assigned
to them proportioned to their ability. The dwellings were repaired and improved; covered above
with strong boards, and matted round with Indian mats. The forts were garrisoned, and savage
hostilities successfully restrained. But while the
colony under the judicious care of the new governor was daily increasing in prosperity, the
health of Lord Delaware became so seriously impaired as to compel him to return to England.
Sir Thomas Gates having previously left Virginia
for the mother country, and Sir George Sommers being absent on a voyage to the Bermudas,
the government was again intrusted to Captain




1611.]       SIR THOMAS DALE.            105
Percy. At the time Lord Delaware left the
colony, it consisted of two hundred men, and was
supplied with provisions for ten months. IHis
unexpected arrival in England was a source of
great mortification to the London Company, who
had already debated for some time, and with
great anxiety, the propriety of sustaining any
longer a colony whose reverses had been so many,
and the returns from which had been so meager.
The serious representation of Sir Thomas
Gates, of the benefits which would ultimately accrue from a proper support of the colony, induced them to persevere in their endeavours to
sustain it; and before Lord Delaware reached
England, Sir Thomas Dale had been despatched
to Virginia with three ships, freighted with immigrants and supplies.
He arrived safely at Jamestown on the 10th
of May, 1611, and found the colonists fast relapsing into their old habits of improvidence.
They had neglected even to plant corn, relying
upon the public store for supplies.  Though the
season was already advanced, Dale, on assuming
the government, at once directed that corn should
be planted, and under his vigorous supervision a
tolerable crop was secured.
As if conscious of the inefficiency with which
the colony had been governed, the authority of
Sir Thomas Dale had been enlarged by the London Company. Martial law was established;




106        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1611.
crime was punished in a summary manner, and
the duties of religion enforced by military rules.
Perhaps this severe and arbitrary system was,
after all, the best calculated to maintain order in
the colony. Indulgence and a weak yielding
to the passions of the people had brought them
more than once to the very brink of destruction;
while under established rules, rigidly enforced,
they had always managed to prosper.
Sir Thomas Dale, a worthy and experienced
soldier in the Low Countries, while he resolutely
repressed disorder, by no means exceeded the
limits of his authority.  His brief administration was attended with the happiest results.
His letters to England, while confessing the
smallness of the colony, expressed hopes which
cheered the patrons of the enterprise, and induced them to follow up their late liberality by
increased exertions.  Sir Thomas Gates was despatched from London with six ships and three
hundred men, and arrived at Jamestown on the
2d of August, 1611.  This new supply was so
unexpected, that at first the colonists mistook the
vessels for a hostile fleet.
Gates now assumed the government, to the
great joy of the colonists, who now numbered
seven hundred men. Fully appreciating the difficulties overcome by his predecessor, he approved
all his acts, and assented to a design which Dale
had already formed.




1611.1       SIR THOMAS GATES.            107
This was no other than to open a large plantation higher up the river. To further the object, Sir Thomas Gates furnished his friend with
three hundred and fifty men, or one-half of the
whole number of colonists.  They were a selecte:1 company. Late in September, Dale, having
already chosen a site for his new settlement, protected it with palisades, and called the place
Henrico, in honour of Prince Henry, the eldest
son of James I.
The next work he did was to build at each
corner of the town a high commanding blockhouse; then he erected a church and storehouses,
and when these were finished, he constructed excellent dwellings for himself and his men.
This town was situated upon a neck of land,
surrounded on three sides by the river, and on
the fourth well palisadoed. It had three streets
of well-framed houses, a handsome church, and
the foundation of another, to be constructed in a
nore substantial manner of brick, besides storehouses, block-houses, and similar structures.
Along the verge of the river, at stated distances,
were five other strongly-built houses, from which
a continual watch was kept for the security of
the town.
One of the immediate benefits arising from the
administration of Gates was the recognition of
private property.  Hitherto all had laboured
alike for the common good, and were clothed




108         HISTORY OP VIRGINIA.       [1611.
and fed from the public store. Having no stimulus for exertion, and the idle or sluggish receiving the same allotment of apparel and provision as the laborious and the energetic, men
grew disheartened at a distribution which neither
recognised merit nor rewarded industry.
So discouraging was this state of things, that
frequently, in the best times, the labour of thirty
men did not accomplish more than was done,
under a different system, by three.  It was the
great merit of Gates that he saw at once where
the evil lay, and applied the appropriate remedy.
A few acres of land were given to each man
for his orchard and garden, to cultivate as he
thought proper, and to apply the proceeds to his
own use, after paying a small portion of his produce to the general store, as a provision against
contingencies. The consequences of this wise
liberality were in. the highest degree satisfactory; and henceforth every encouragement was
afforded to individual enterprise in the acquisition of wealth. The rights of the Indians, however, were less regarded. In December, 1611,
Sir Thomas Dale captured the town of Appamattuck, and driving off the savages, took possession of their houses and corn.  Finding the
place commodiously situated, and within an easy
distance of Henrico, he immediately appropriated
his conquest to the uses of a new settlement,
which he called New Bermudas.




1611.]     THE LONDON COMPANY.           109
Under the same imperious patent, he laid out
and annexed many miles of champaign and woodland, dividing the lands into several hundreds
or districts, and building a number of houses
along the frontier for the better security of the
newly-acquired territory.
While Virginia was thus gradually extending
her habitable limits, and enjoying a period of
peace and prosperity, a new charter was granted
by James to the London Company, by which all
the former privileges and immunities were confirmed, and the period of exemption from duties
Vextended.
By the new charter a great change was made
in the constitution of the company. The sole
power of ordering the affairs of the company
had hitherto resided in a council, named in the
charter, but whose vacancies were supplied by
the majority of the corporation. This power
was now taken from the hands of the council, and
given to the stockholders, by whom the inferior
transactions of the company might be discussed
at weekly meetings, reserving the more important questions of government, commerce, and territory, for the four great and general courts, at
which all officers were to be elected, and all laws
established. This great change affected only the
corporation, the political rights of the colonists
remaining unimproved.
Another and more doubtful privilege was also
10




110           HISTORY  OF VIRGINIA.           [1612.
given by the new charter: it was that of raising
money by lotteries for the benefit of the colony.
These lotteries, after being tolerated for a few
years, were found productive of so many evils,
that upon the complaint of the Commons they
were suspended by an order of council. In the
mean while they had produced to the company
nearly thirty thousand pounds.
CHAPTER IX.
Administration of Sir Thomas Gates-Cautious forbearance of
Powhattan-Treachery of Japazaws-Capture of Pocahontas-She is taken to Jamestown-A ransom demanded for
her release-Powhattan sends back men and muskets-Sir
Thomas Dale sent to enforce the remainder of the ransomReaches Werowocomoco-Is assaulted-Defeats the savages
and burns the town-Parlevs with the Indians-Returns to
Jamestown-John Rolfe instructs Pocahontas in the Christian faith-She is baptized-Marriage of Pocahontas to Rolfe
-Satisfaction of Powhattan-Its beneficial consequencesDale treats with Powhattan for another daughter-His refusal-Rolfe and his wife sail for England-Pocahontas
honourably received —Her death at Gravesend.
THE administration of Sir Thomas Gates was
eminently judicious.  The condition of the colonists was greatly ameliorated and improved, a
spirit of industry was fostered, and the savages
effectually restrained.
Powhattan was cautious and forbearing, resigning himself to the increase of the colonists,
as to an evil which it was now too late to remedy.




1612.]    CAPTURE OF POCAHONTAS.          111
An event at length occurred which threatened at
first to involve the country in a sanguinary war.
Its romantic termination fortunately led to a
firmer and more lasting peace.
In 1612, Captain Argall was sent to the Potomac to purchase corn: while he remained in
that river, he learned from Japazaws, an old
chief, and a tried friend to the English, that the
Princess Pocahontas was secreted in the neighbourhood. Singular enough, the daughter of
Powhattan had never entered Jamestown from
the day Smith left it; but had resided for some
time on the shores of the Potomac, in the family
of Japazaws. A scheme was now entered upon
by Japazaws to betray her to the English, and
Argall, well knowing the value of the prize,
bribed the treacherous chief to entice her on
board his vessel.  This was effected by a cunning stratagem. The wife of Japazaws pretended to be exceedingly anxious to see one of the
big canoes of the white peop>o, while the old
chief expressed himself vehemently in opposition
to her going alone.  The wife redoubled her entreaties, and Japazaws, as if losing all patience,
threatened to chastise her unless she ceased her
importunities.  This harsh conduct producing a
flood of tears, Japazaws pretended to relent, and
consented that his wife should have her curii?;-v
satisfied, provided the Princess Pocahontas would
agree to accompany her.  Little suspecting the




112         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1612.
snare which had been laid for her, the kindhearted maiden consented.  The members of
the little party were courteously received in the
cabin by Argall, and feasted with the best he
could provide; Japazaws treading occasionally
on the captain's foot to remind him that he had
fulfilled his compact. When the hour arrived
for their departure, Argall told Pocahontas she
must return with him to Jamestown; whereupon
Japasaws and his wife, with loud cries and lamentations, bewailed the manner in which their
young charge had been taken prisoner. Pocahontas, also, at first, fell to weeping; but grew
composed when she learned that the object of
her detention was to hasten a treaty of peace between the colonists and her father. A copperkettle and a few beads pacified Japazaws and his
companion, both of whom left the vessel rejoicing
that Pocahontas still believed them to be among
her best and most devoted friends.
Pocahontas was treated with the utmost kindness and attention at Jamestown, and soon became reconciled to her captivity. In the mean
while, messengers were sent to Powhattan, demanding a ransom. The conditions insisted upon were,
that the emperor should return all the prisoners
he had captured, and all the swords, guns, and
implements which had been stolen at different
times by his people. Powhattan loved his daughter dearly, but he was desirous of retaining both




1612.]     WAR WITIH POWiHATTANo           113
his prisoners and his spoils.   The prisoners
were useful to him as mechanics, and the spoils
gratified his pride.
Nature, however, at length prevailed.  After
a silence of three mnonths, he sent back seven of
his prisoners, and the same number of unserviceable muskets. Hie also sent word, that if his
daughter was released, he would atone satisfactorily for all the injuries which had been done
to the colony, and remain for ever after a firm
friend.
The council at Jamestown quietly accepted the
prisoners and old muskets as part payment; but
kept possession of his daughter until the remainder of the arms and implements which had been
stoldn were returned.
Powhattan was indignant. Discovering that
they were not likely to make terms with him by
diplomacy, the council resolved to resort to arms.
Accordingly Sir Thomas Dale, having with him
the Princess Pocahontas, and further accompanied by one hundred and fifty men well armed
and equipped, set sail for Werowocomoco. When
Dale reached the town, he was hailed from the
shore, and the reason of his presence demanded.
His reply was, that he had come to receive the
ransom for the Princess Pocahontas, or to take
it by force.  IHe immediately received a spirited
answer.  They told him, if he chose to fight he
was welcome to do so, as they were perfectly pre10;




114         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.     [1612.
pared for him; but if he valued his own life, or
the lives of his men, they would advise him to
retire, or they would use him as they had done
Captain Ratcliffe.
Dale said he would have a better answer, and
the reply was a flight of arrows.
But savage spirit, though supported by numbers, was no match for armed and disciplined
men.  The forces of Powhattan were speedily
routed, and the town set on fire.
The next day, Dale proceeded higher up the
river. He was again hailed by the Indians, and
asked why he had attacked them and destroyed
their town? ", Why did you shoot at us?" was
his reply. They said it was done by some straggling savages, and without their consent; that
they did not intend to provoke hostilities, desiring rather to be friends. Dale responded in
an equally pacific strain, and then sending messengers to Powhattan, proceeded further up the
river. Here, at one of the royal houses, he encountered four hundred men, who desired him
and his company to come ashore; but at the
same time demanded a truce until they could
send to Powhattan to know his pleasure. It was
granted until the next day at noon.
When this short armistice had been agreed
upon, the two brothers of Pocahontas presented
themselves and requested an interview with their
sister. When they found she was well in health




1612.]  CONVERSION OF POCAHONTAS.        115
and in excellent spirits, they were exceedingly
rejoiced, and promised to use their best endeavours to persuade her father to redeem her and
to become the firm friend of the colonists. With
this promise Dale was obliged to be content.
Powhattan resolutely refused to see the messengers which had been sent to treat with him, and
the period of corn-planting approaching, Dale
returned with Pocahontas to Jamestown and disbanded his men.
But the friendship of the aged Emperor Powhattan, which could neither be purchased by gifts
nor influenced by threats, was at length to be
acquired in a simple and a far more honourable
manner.
John Rolfe, a young gentleman whose family
connections were highly respectable, conceived
the design of instructing Pocahontas in the doctrines of the Christian faith. He found the princess both quick and docile; and the labour for the
conversion of the unregenerated maiden daily became less a task of duty than of love. Nor was
the princess herself insensible to the endearing
kindness of her amiable and enthusiastic instructor. She soon acquired a partial knowledge of the
English tongue, and as her perceptions became
clearer, the pure morality of the Christian religion
won her willingly to embrace its doctrines. In the
little rudely-constructed church at Jamestown,
before the font, which was hewn out of the trunk




116        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1613.
Of a tree, hollowed into the shape of a canoe, the
Princess Pocahontas openly renounced her country's idolatry, professed the faith of Jesus Christ,
and was baptized.
In April, 1613, with the full approbation of
her father, she was married to John Rolfe. Powhattan not only authorized Sir Thomas Dale to
give the bride away, but sent her uncle Opachisco
and two of her brothers to be present at the ceremony.
The marriage between the Princess Pocahontas
-now called the Lady Rebecca-and John Rolfe,
won, not only the friendship of Powhattan and the
various tribes over whom he exercised control, but
induced the Chickahominies also to send messengers with presents to Sir Thomas Dale, excusing all former injuries, and desiring to form a
treaty of alliance with him as new Englishmen,
who were henceforth willing to become the subjects and tributaries of King James.
With a view to strengthen, to a still greater
degree, the bonds of amity between the colonists
and their barbarian neighbours, Sir Thomas Dale
made a proposition to Powhattan for another of
his daughters.
Master Ralph HIamor, his messenger, left
Bermudas in the morning, and reached the royal
residence of Powhattan the next evening.  The
aged king received his visitor but coldly; but to
Thomas Savage, the interpreter, whom he knew




1614.] DALE'S REQUEST OF POWIATTAN.   117
well, he said: "c My child, I gave you leave to visit
your friends, and this is the first time I have seen
you these four years past." Turning to Hamor,
he asked him for the chain of pearl which he had
given to Sir Thomas Dale as a token to pass between them whenever an approved messenger
should be sent. Harnor, having neglected to
bring it with him, plausibly denied the necessity
of it at all, since he did not come alone, having
been attended in his journey by two of Powhattan's own people. The emperor expressed himself satisfied with the explanation, and after presenting the messenger a pipe of tobacco, continued the conversation by asking how his brother Sir Thomas Dale did, and his daughter and
unknown son; and how they lived, loved, and
liked? iHamor told him that Sir Thomas Dale
was well, and his daughter, the Lady Rebecca
Rolfe, so well contented, she would not live with
him again. Powhattan laughed, and then asked
Hamor the cause of his coming. The latter replied that the message with which he was intrusted was a private one, and could be delivered
to himself only.  The room  was immediately
cleared of all the inmates except Powhattan and
his two wives, and then the emperor bade Hamor
speak on.
Speaking through the medium of Savage, his
interpreter, Hamor told Powhattan that Sir
Thomas Dale had sent him a present of two




118         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1614.
pieces of copper, five strings of white and blue
beads, five wooden combs, ten fish-hooks, and a
couple of knives; and that when the emperor
chose to send for it, he would also give him a
grindstone.  Thus far Powhattan expressed himself well pleased; but when Hamor told the
emperor that his brother Dale, hearing of the
fame of his youngest daughter, desired that she
might be sent to the colony in charge of his
messenger, both for a testimony of his love, and
for the pleasure of her sister,' Powhattan replied
gravely:
"4 I gladly except from  Sir Thomas Dale his.
salutations of love and peace, which while I live
I will exactly keep. I also thank him for his
presents, though they are fewer than has been
customary; but for my daughter, I have already
disposed of her hand, within a few days past, to
a great Werowance, for two bushels of Roanoke."
Hamor instantly replied, that he knew very
well it would not be difficult to revoke this
arrangement, by returning the Roanoke, especially as the child was at that time but twelve
years of age.  Hle said it would have the further
effect of gratifying Sir Thomas Dale, who would
gladly bestow in return for the compliment, a
present in beads, copper, hatchets, and other
articles, worth at least three times as much as
the Roanoke.  The answer of Powhattan was as
fatherly as it was direct and to the purpose.




1616.]   POWHATTAN REFUSES DALE.         119, I love my daughter as my life, and though
I have many children, I delight in none of them
as much as I do in her, whom if I do not often
behold I cannot possibly live. If she lived with
you I should never be able to see her again, as
I have resolved, upon no consideration, to place
myself in your hands, or to come in person among
you. Tell my brother, Sir Thomas Dale, that i
desire no better assurance of his friendship than
the promise he has made. One of my daughters
is already a pledge for my good faith, which, so
long as she lives, shall be sufficient. When she
dies he shall have another. I do not think it the
part of a brother to desire to bereave me of two
daughters at once. Tell Sir Thomas Dale this.
If he had no pledge whatever from me, he need
fear no injury, either from myself or my people.
There have been too many of his men and mine
slain already, and with my consent there shall be
no more; for I am old, and would gladly end my
days in peace. If you offer me injury, my country is large enough for me to go from you. This
I hope will satisfy my brother; and as you are
weary, and I am sleepy, we will now end."
The Lady Rebecca Rolfe remained in the
colony until 1616, when, in company with her
husband and Sir Thomas Dale, she sailed for
England. Through the unwearied diligence of
John Rolfe, assisted by that meek and self-denying apostle of the wilderness, Alexander Whita



120        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1617.
ker, she had been taught to speak the English
tongue, and to understand, though perhaps dimly,
the more essential truths of Christianity. Happy
in the enthusiastic love of her husband, she never
expressed any desire to return to her father, and
in the society of those of her own nation she no
longer took any delight. When she left the
shores of Virginia, her fame had already preceded her. Her presence was no sooner known
in England, than all classes vied with each other
in doing honour to the young wife and mother.
On her way to London, many persons of rank and
quality entertained her in a hospitable manner.
The London Company took upon themselves the
expenses of herself and child. The queen invited her to court, and Captain Smith evinced his.
gratitude to his preserver by writing a pamphlet
expressly to exhibit the many and important services she had rendered to the colonists.
But she did not long enjoy these manifold
honours. In less than one year after her arrival,
at the age of twenty-two, she fell a victim to the
English climate, just as she was on the eve of
embarking at'Gravesend for her native land.




1617.] EFFECTS OF LABOUR IN COMMON.    121
CHAPTER X.
Evils arising from the system of common labour-Right of private property-Conditions of tenure —Indentured servantsBounty land-Dale embarks for England —Appointment of
Yeardley-Cultivation of tobacco —Careless security of the
colonists-The savages taught the use of fire-arms —Argall
supersedes Yeardley-His character and arbitrary conductHis removal from office-Yeardley reappointed-Second administration of Yeardley-The first general assembly convened at Jamestown-How composed-Energy of SandysLarge numbers of immigrants sent to Virginia-Importation
of females-Beneficial effect upon the colonists-Rapid increase of immigrants-Introduction of negro slavery-Resignation of Sandys-His successor nominated by King James
-Spirited conduct of the London Company-Earl of Southampton elected treasurer-The first constitution of Virginia.
DURING the period that the colonists were fed
from the public stores, and all were alike compelled to labour for the common benefit, every excuse
to avoid work was taken advantage of by, the
numerous idlers in the community; while such
as were disposed to be industrious grew disheartened on finding themselves, at the end of each
successive year, in no better condition than those
who had systematically evaded all species of industry.
The beneficial effects of establishing the right
of private property in lands soon displayed them11




122         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1617.
selves, and proved, in the most emphatic manner,
the wisdom of the measure.  The conditions of
tenure were, however, very unequal, Such of
the colonists as had been sent over at the sole
expense of the company received only three
acres of land.  Eleven months of each year they
were required to work for the company, the
other month they could employ as they thought
fit. But this kind of enforced servitude soon
grew out of favour, the number gradually decreased, and in 1617 there were of this description but fifty-four persons, of all ages, within the
limits of the colony.
Those who farmed the plantations at the Bermudas hundreds fared much better.  The settlers at this place paid annually into the public
store but. two barrels and a half of corn, and
were not required to perform any more than one,
month's public service, which was not to be demanded of them either in seedtime or harvest.
During the earlier struggles of the colony, the
bounty in land offered by the company to such
as migrated to the new country at their own expense, or who had defrayed the cost of others,
was one hundred acres for each person; but
after the colony was more firmly established, the
bounty was reduced to fifty acres, the actual occupancy and cultivation of which entitled the immigrant to claim fifty acres more. By a payment
of twelve pounds ten shillings, each adventurer




1617.]      CULTURE OF TOBACCO.           123
could obtain a grant of one hundred acres, and
a claim to as much more as soon as the previous
tract was settled and improved.
After remaining five years in the country, Sir
Thomas Dale embarked for England in 1616,
leaving the government in the hands of Sir
George Yeardley.
The first articles of commerce, to the production of which the early settlers almost exclusively
devoted themselves, weire potash, soap, glass, and
tar. Distance, however, and a want of the proper
facilities-to enable them to manufacture cheaply,
rendered the cost of these commodities so great,
that exports of a similar character from Russia
and Sweden were still enabled to maintain their
old ascendency in the markets of Europe. After
many fruitless and costly experiments in the culture of the vine, the growing demand for tobacco
enabled the planters to turn their labour into a
profitable channel. As the demand increased the
profits became correspondingly great, and every
other species of labour was abandoned for the culture of tobacco. The houses were neglected, the
palisades suffered to rot down, the fields, gardens, and public squares, even the very streets
of Jamestown, were planted with tobacco. The
townspeople, more greedy of gain than mindful
of their own security, scattered abroad into the
wilderness, where they broke up small pieces of
rich ground and made their crops, regardless of




124         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1619.
their proximity to the Indians, in whose good
faith so little reliance could be placed.
So imprudent were the colonists in thlis respect,
that, encouraged by the example of the Deputygovernor Yeardley, they taught the savages the
use of fire-arms, and employed them as hunters.
It is true they were on good terms with all the
surrounding tribes, but the danger to which this
reckless mode of living exposed the colony was
none the less imminent.
In May, 1619, Captain Samuel'Argall superseded Yeardley, as deputy-governor of Virginia.
This change of administration was by no means
for the better. Argall was a stern arbitrary
seaman, rugged and self-willed to a degree. Unfortunately, these ill qualities were not tempered,
as is often the case in seamen, by generosity.
Argall was appointed both military and naval
commander in Virginia, and, as martial law was
still in force, his power was despotic in the extreme.  Had he exercised his authority with the
same mildness and forbearance which characterized the acts of his predecessors, even though the
laws were rigid and their mode of operation summary, it is not probable that the colonists would
have preferred any cause of complaint.  But
Argall rendered his power subservient to his
avarice, and sought, for his own selfish purposes,
to make even innocent persons amenable to the
severe military code. For a long time he suc



1619.]sIR GEORGE YEARDLEY GOVERNOR.  125
ceeded in carrying on a system of exaction and
extortion withouit rebuke.  At length his avaricious grasp took a wider sweep. Not satisfied with
confiscating to his own use the property of the
colonists, he sought to increase his means by defrauding the company.  These acts finally occasioned his deposition from office, and in 1619
Sir George Yeardley was appointed captain-general of the colony.
Before the latter arrived in Virginia, a pinnace had been despatched to the colony by the
fiiends of Argall in London, to warn him of the
charges which had been preferred against him,
and of his removal from office. Argall at once
made preparations for his own safety.
The pinnace reached Jamestown about the 1st
of April, and within five days Argall set sail
from the colony, leaving for his deputy Captain
Nathaniel Powell.  On the 18th of April, Sir
George Yeardley reached Virginia, and informed
the colonists of the favourable change which had
taken place in the affairs of the London Company, and of the great supplies they were preparing to send out.
The administration of the new governor was
as much distinguished by its gentleness and liberality as that of Argall's was for its tyranny and
rapacity. The planters were released henceforth
from all service to the colony, and were confirmed




126         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1619
in their property, both personal and real, as amply
as the subjects of England.
The removal of all restrictions upon labour,
and the grant to the colonists of all the rights
and privileges of freemen, mark  the second
period of Yeardley's administration as one of
more than ordinary interest. Argall's impositions were denounced, the rigorous military code
qualified and softened, and the English statute
law gradually substituted in its stead.  From
this time there was no fear of scarcity, for food
became so plentiful in the colony that the Indians, who formerly supplied a considerable portion of the corn consumed by the settlers, became
occasional purchasers.
Self-interest, and the consciousness of enjoying
a rational degree of liberty, and the right to
dispose of their property in any manner they
thought proper, incited every ambitious spirit to
exert himself to the utmost.  The demand for
tobacco increased, the profits became enormous,
and large sums were realized, as well by individuals as by the company, who had expended
such a vast amount in sustaining a great project
under so many and such serious discouragements.
The London Company, at this period, moved
by an honourable spirit of liberality, rescinded
nearly all their former colonial regulations, and
substituted others of a far milder and more attractive character. The authority of the gover



1619.]       SIR EDWIN SANDYS.           127
nor, which had latterly been despotic in the extreme, was now tempered and controlled by a
council, who possessed the power to redress his
errors.  The colonists were also called upon to
meet at Jamestown, and in a properly organized
assembly assume the duties of local legislation.
This was almost exclusively the act. of Yeardley. He convened at Jamestown, toward the
close of June, 1619, the first colonial assembly
that ever met in Virginia.  It consisted of two
burgesses from each of the eleven boroughs or
corporations into which the colony was divided.
Several acts were passed during the first session
of this body, which, on being sent to England for
ratification, were received with expressions of approval.
The scheme of colonization now proceeded
rapidly. The affairs of the London Company
were in the hands of a council possessing both
energy and patriotism.  Sir Edwin Sandys, the
new treasurer, was a man whom neither lures
nor threats could prevent from exposing the corruptions and abuses which had prevailed for so
many years under the previous management.
During twelve years, eighty thousand pounds
had been expended by the company, and as yet
the colony contained but six hundred persons.
In one year, Sandys provided a passage for
twelve hundred and sixty-one immigrants, among
whom were ninety young and incorrupt women,




128         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1621.
sent out as wives to such colonists as were matrimonially inclined. This importation of poor
but virtuous girls was received with great favour.
They were married either to the servants of the
company, or to men well able to support them,
and the cost of their transportation willingly defrayed.
The success which the first consignment met
with induced the company to venture on a second.
In 1621, sixty more were sent over, maids of
virtuous education, young, handsome, and well
recommended.  The blessings of domestic life
had already begun to be appreciated. The original cost of a wife was one hundred pounds of
tobacco; but as the value of home enjoyments
became better understood, the price of the members of the second consignment rose to one hundred and fifty pounds.  It was an excellent and
a thoughtful act.  Hitherto Virginia had been
regarded mereiy in the light of a temporary residence, where wer'th was to be acquired more
speedily than at home; but few thought of making the colony their permanent place of abode.
The formation of domestic attachments, the
beauty of the climate, a personal interest in the
soil, and the peaceful bearing of the surrounding
Indians, gradually excited a desire in many to
end their days in a land which offered a comfortable subsistence to ordinary industry, and
numerous facilities for the rearing of a family.




1621.]      PURCHASE OF WIVES.           129
Nothing tended so effectually to restrain the
reckless spirit and unsettled habits of the colonists as the introduction of so many women
among them. The debt for a wife was a debt of
honour, and took precedence of any other. Married men were regarded by the company as the
better and more reliable portion of the population, and favoured accordingly. The colony being
now fixed upon a permanent basis, large numbers
of immigrants flocked in. Within three years,
fifty patents for land were granted, and three
thousand five hundred persons left England for
Virginia.
Great complaints having arisen in England
against the governor and officers of the colony in
regard to the use of covenanted and indented
servants, instructions were issued by the council
for the reformation of the existing abuses. One
hundred men were allotted the governor to work
on his plantation, free of charge, during the
term of his administration. Fifty to the deputygovernor farming the college land; fifty to the
deputy farming the company's land; fifty to the
treasurer, and twenty-five to the secretary, and
more to the marshal and cape merchant. On the
retirement or removal of these officials, they were
to make over an equal number of servants to
their successors.  The object of this generous
distribution was to enable the officers of the com
pany to acquire such a competency, as would




130         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1621.
permit them to live well without oppressing any
under their charge.
But the event which exercised the most important influence upon the future condition of
the colony was the introduction of African slaves.
In the month of August, 1620, the commander
of a Dutch man-of-war entered James River, and
disposed of twenty negroes., For a long time
thereafter, this species of traffic progressed but
slowly; so that, at the end of thirty years, the
white population of Virginia outnumbered the
black in the proportion of fifty to one.
The previous purchase of indented white servants, many of whom were kidnapped from their
own country and sold among the planters for a
term of years, made the transition from limited
white to permanent negro slavery so simple and
easy, as not only to create no compunctions of
conscience, but to cause the change to be seriously
regarded by many as taking the burden firom
the shoulders of their own countrymen, and placing it upon a race furnishing hereditary bondsmen from the remotest ages, and always regarded
as forming the lowest type of humanity.
After serving as treasurer for the London
Company for one year, the able and energetic
Sandys resigned his office. The election of his
successor was not effected without a; severe contest.  King James, jealous of -the liberal and
patriotic spirit in which the affairs of the coin



1621.]  FIRST WRITTEN CONSTITUTION.    131
pany had lately been conducted, endeavoured to
interfere.  He nominated four candidates, from
among whom the company were desired to choose
their treasurer. Firm in upholding their rights,
they successfully resisted the royal interference,
rejected the nominees of the king, and made
choice of the Earl of Southampton, the early
patron of Shakspeare.
The subsequent proceedings of the company
were equally just and humiane.  They emphatically repudiated the arbitrary conduct of Argall
in a case of appeal from a sentence of death pronounced by him while acting in his capacity of
governor.  They discountenanced the opinion
formerly prevailing that trial by martial law was
the noblest kind of trial, and successfully asserted!the rights of the colonists to trial by a jury of
Itheir peers.
The assembly of burgesses summoned by
Yeardley was now formally sanctioned. In July,
1621, the company gave to the Virginians a
lwritten constitution, which guarantied to the
colonists a much greater share of liberty than
they had hitherto enjoyed.
Under the new form of government the governor and council of state for the colony were to
be chosen by the treasurer, council, and company
in England; and were to constitute a portion of
the general assembly. The other members of
the assembly were to consist of two burgesses




132         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1621.
from every town, hundred, or other particular
plantation, to be chosen by the inhabitants themselves. This assembly, which was to be convened by the governor once a year, was to have
full power to treat, consult, and conclude upon
all subjects concerning the public welfare of the
colony, and to enact such general laws and
orders for the benefit of the colony, and the good
government thereof, as from time to time might
seem necessary. A negative voice was reserved
to the governor; and the laws, to be rendered
valid, were to receive the subsequent sanction of
the London Company. As an equivalent concession to the colony, it was ordained, that after
the new government shall have gone into operation, no orders of the court in London shall bind
the colony unless ratified in like manner by the
general assembly.




1621.]         SIR FRANCIS WYATT.                 133
CHAPTER XI.
Sir Francis WVyatt appointed governor-Arrives in VirginiaScattered condition of the colonists-Their careless state of
security-Death of Powhattan-Opechancanough suspected
of treachery —His answer —Arranges a plan for the general
massacre of the colonists-Nemattanow, or Jack of the
Feather, murders one Morgan and robs him-Is shot down
by two boys-His dying requests-Terrible massacre of the,22d of March-Most of the plantations abandoned-Sickness in the colony —War of extermination-Reception of the
tidings in England-Assistance sent to the colonists-Smith
tenders his services-Conduct of King James-Attempts to
dictate to the company-Meets with a second rebuke-Resolves to annul the charter-Appoints commissioners to inquire into the affairs of the company-Resolves to reassume
his conceded authority-His proposition rejected by the company-Commissioners sent to Virginia.
As the term of office for which Sir George
Yeardley was appointed drew near to a close, the
council in London made choice of Sir Francis
Wyatt to succeed him.   The latter, with  nine
ships freighted with immigrants and supplies,
reached Virginia in October, 1621.  A  part of
his instructions was to raise less tobacco and
more corn. He found the colonists dispersed in
small parties, widely separated; their plantations
extending along the James River, and toward
the Potomac, wherever the richest land could be
found. Increase of numbers had made them
carelessly secure. Many of them lived familiarly
among the savages; slept with them in their
12




134        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1618.
houses, employed them as hunters, and took no
pains to guard themselves from surprise.
The aged Emperor Powhattan died in 1618,
gratefully reverenced by his own people, and
honoured by his English neighbours.  From
the period of his daughter's marriage until that
of his own decease, he remained the firm and
steadfast friend of the colonists. He was succeeded by his younger brother Itopatin, but the
more daring spirit of Opechancanough soon lad
him to usurp the imperial authority. Although
this change, from the known character of Opechancanough, rendered a continuance of amicable
relations doubtful and uncertain, the colonists,
confident in their numbers, neglected the most
ordinary precautions.  One reason for this may
have been their consciousness that the number of
Indians occupying each village was but small;
that these villages were widely scattered along
the banks of the various rivers between the James
and the Potomac, and that the whole savage
population, within sixty miles of Jamestown, did
not number more than five thousand souls, of
whom some fifteen hundred only were warriors.
The eastern shore Indians never occasioned the
English any trouble whatever, but even under
occasional circumstances of great provocation,
always remained  peaceful and well-disposed.
Some floating rumour that Opechancanough
intended to prove treacherous, led Wyatt, about




1622.]      INTENDED MASSACRE.            135
the middle of March, 1622, to send an envoy to
him, for the purpose of renewing the treaty
which had been made with his predecessors.
Opechancanough received the messenger with
the greatest respect, and confirmed the treaty not
only with alacrity and cheerfulness, but accompanied the act with many expressions of good-will.
HIe told the messenger that he held the peace so
firm, that the sky should fall before he would
violate it.  At this very time he was perfecting
his schemes for a general massacre, which only
failed in entire success from the affection which
one of his own people bore to a colonist who had
befriended him.
So well arranged were all the preliminaries of
the plot, and so faithfully had the secret been
preserved, that only two days before the massacre, the Indians guided the English through the
forest as usual, and even borrowed boats of the
colonists to cross the river and consult with their
friends upon the sanguinary measures they were
about to undertake. On the evening of Thursday, and even on the morning of Friday, the 22d
of March, the very day on which the massacre
was appointed to take place, they came unarmed
into the houses of the English, under pretence of
bringing game and other provisions for sale, and
in some instances sat down to breakfast with
their destined victims.
One of the prominent pretexts by which Ope~



136        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1622.
chancanough had stimulated his people to combine together, and by a simultaneous attack upon
all the English settlements, to exterminate the
intruders at a single unexpected blow, was to
avenge the death of a favourite warrior by the
name of Nemattanow.
This Nemattanow was held in great esteem by
the Indians generally. As he had been engaged
in many conflicts and escaped unhurt, they believed him to be invulnerable. Taking advantage of their credulity, he affected a marked singularity of dress and demeanour; making everywhere an open boast of his person being proof
against all kinds of warlike weapons. By his
strange ways, and fantastic style of wearing
feather ornaments, he obtained among the English the nickname of Jack of the Feather.
Nemattanow, being desirous of possessing some
toys and gewgaws, belonging to one Morgan,
went to his house and persuaded the latter to accompany him to Pamunkey, where he asserted
they could be disposed of to great advantage.
Morgan consented, and Nemattanow murdered
and robbed him by the way. Two days afterward, he boldly returned to Morgan's house,
wearing on his head the cap of the dead man.
Here he found two well-grown boys that had
been hired to Morgan, who immediately asked
where their master was. He told them he was
dead, but refusing to give them any further par



1622.]   TREACHEROUS MASSACRE.          137
ticulars, they demanded he should go with them
before a magistrate, and relate all he knew concerning Morgan's mysterious disappearance. As
Nemattanow not only declined going, but commenced insolently abusing them, they shot him
down, and then placed him in a boat, intending
to carry him before the governor, at that time
some seven or eight miles from them.  The
wound ~Nemattanow had received proving mortal, he earnestly entreated the boys in his last
moments to promise him two things; the one
was, that they would not make it known in what
manner he had been killed; and the other, that
they would bury him among the English.
When the loss of Nemattanow was made
known to Opechancanough, he broke out into'
such threats of revenge as induced Wyatt to
send' the messenger to him, whose conference
with the great chieftain resulted in renewed
and solemn assurances of his desire to remain at
peace.
It has been already stated, that the preparatioiis for the massacre were made with the utmost
secrecy. At mid-day on the 22d of March, the
savages, having marched out from their numerous
villages, posted themselves, as by previous concert, in or near the various settlements of the English, and fell upon them suddenly at one and the
same moment of time.  The attack was so immediate and unsuspected, that in numerous in12-:




138         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1622.
stances not the least resistance was offered.
Some had entered the houses under pretence of
trading; others bearing presents of game and
fish; others again mingled with the labourers in
the fields with the familiarity of friends; while
the more cautious settlers were enticed abroad
under various and apparently plausible pretexts.
Whenever the Indians obtained the mastery, they
spared none, but destroyed man, woman, and
child. Those whom they knew to be friends
shared the same fate as their bitterest enemies.
Even the pure and single-hearted missionaries,
who had always mixed with them freely, and
sought to win their regard by unwearying acts
of kindness, even they too were murdered, and
their bodies-mutilated in all those hideous and
horrible ways which only savage barbarity could
devise.
And yet these bloodthirsty men were as cowardly as they were treacherous and sanguinary.
Whenever any resistance was offered they fled.
The firing of a single musket, the mere lifting of
an axe or a hatchet, was in many instances sufficient to divert them from their purpose, and
hurry them away from a place that was even
slightly defended, to attack another the inhabitants of which were more timid or less prepared.
All they could massacre by surprise during that
day fell victims to their fury.  With the setting
of the sun the slaughter ended, and satiated with




1622.]      THE PLOT REVEALED.           139
blood the Indians retired toward their several
villages. On that fatal morning, three hundred
and forty-seven persons were cut off, most of
them falling by their own weapons, or implements
of industry.
But Jamestown, and the settlements immediately surrounding it, were providentially saved.
Only one of all the Indians who were privy to
the conspiracy cherished a sufficiently grateful
remembrance of the favours he had received, to
enable him to overcome the repugnance he experienced at betraying the cherished secret which
had been confided to his people.
Two Indians, who were brothers, chanced to
sleep together the night previous to the massacre
at the house of a man named Pace, by whom one
of the brothers was employed. The other Indian,
who was in the employ of another planter named
Perry, urged upon his brother to rise and kill
Pace at once, and confided to him the whole plot,
which was to be executed on the morrow. The
Indian in the service of Pace consented to do as
he was bid, and immediately went out, leaving
his brother under the impression that he had
quitted him for the purpose of committing the
murder.
Entering his master's chamber, he revealed to
him the whole story. Pace instantly arose, and,
after securing his house, rowed under cover of
the darkness to Jamestown, and informed the




140         HISTORY Oi VItGINIA.       [1622.
governor what he had heard.  By this means
the capital of the colony, and such plantations as
could receive the tidings in time to prepare for a
defence, ~were preserved from the assault of the
savages, who, on no single occasion, persevered
in carrying out their bloody designs where they
found the English in readiness to receive them,
or where any thing approaching a sturdy resistance was offered.
The larger part of the colony was fortunately
saved. A year after the massacre there still remained two thousand five hundred men; but the
high-wrought sense of danger which led the colonists to abandon their plantations, for some time
afterward seriously retarded their prosperity.
Of eighty plantations which extended over a
space of one hundred and forty miles on both
sides of the James Fiver, only eight were retained.  Into these few the alarmed settlers congregated. The college lands were abandoned;
the manufactories closed, and the culture of the
fields limited to so confined a space as barely to
afford the means for subsistence.  Thus crowded
together, sickness ensued, and some of the colonists, taking a sudden disgust to the country,
abandoned it and returned to England.  For
some time, in the midst of the general consternation, none thought of retaliating the injuries
they had sustained; but when grief and fear
subsided, a war of extermination commenced.




1623.]    WAR OF EXTERMINATION.           141
In July of the following year, three hundred
men penetrated to the Indian villages, and burned many of them; but the inhabitants invariably
fled as they approached, and secreted themselves
in the woods. After a fruitless pursuit, prolonged through several months, the English returned to their homes.
But the spirit of the people was thoroughly
aroused. The gauntlet which had been thrown
down by the Indians was now deliberately taken
up, their property seized wherever it could be
found, their plantations and villages sequestered,
and, meeting guile with guile, even treachery
was employed to bring their enemies into their
hands.
In July, 1624, the general assembly ordered a
foray similar to that which had taken place the
year previous. This fierce but desultory warfare was continued for the space of ten years.
The Indians were everywhere routed from their
old habitations, and compelled to retreat before
the footsteps of their relentless pursuers, deeper
and deeper into the recesses of the forest.
When the tidings of the massacre were received
in England, it created a profound sensation.
Many of the adventurers grew despondent at
their great losses, and parted with their shares
for whatever they would bring. Others, however, were found ready to fill their places. A
strong feeling of compassion for the struggling




142        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1622.
and unfortunate colony took possession of the
national mind.  Several gentlemen went over
with their own servants and food, designing to
take up the bounty lands offered to actual settlers.
Others purchased grants of the company in London, and obtained authorities and jurisdictions
separate from the colonial government.  The
latter was an evil policy on the part of the company, and one that subsequently led to disorders
in the colony which threatened to involve it in
the horrors of civil war.
The company despatched supplies and assistance. Even James affected a generosity he was
incapable of feeling, and ordered from the Tower
supplies of arms which he knew at the time to
be utterly worthless.  The city of, London contributed to repair the losses of the Virginians.
Smith, always ready to make a tender of his
services wheresoever they might be useful, volunteered to keep the savages in subjection with a
force of one hundred soldiers and thirty seamen;
but from a want of funds on the part of the company, his project was not entertained. The only
answer he could get was, that the charge would
be too great, but that he could obtain permission
to undertake it at his own cost, provided he would
bestow upon the corporation one half of the pillage.
Taking advantage of the unfortunate condition
in which the affairs of the company were now




1622.]. INTRIGUES OF JAMES.          143
placed, King James, who had long been desirous
of exercising control over the colony, sought tie
present opportunity to annul the charter, by fomenting dissensions among the adventurers.
The want of success which had hitherto attended the exertions of the company had led to
much dissatisfaction among many of those who
had for a long time held shares of stock so utterly unproductive.  The company at this time
consisted of a thousand adventurers, of whom
some two hundred usually attended the quarter
courts, where the undaunted advocacy of the
principles of liberty was peculiarly obnoxious to
the king, and to those adventurers who, being
opposed to the patriotic party, found themselves
in the minority, and could only hope to acquire
the power they coveted by assisting the king to
recover that control over the colony which he
had already conceded by charter.
Desirous of gaining his ends by secret rather
than open means, James exerted all his influence
with the malcontents.  When the meeting for a
new choice of officers took place in 1622, he
again intimated his desire that the treasurer of
the company should be selected from one of the
candidates whose names he had sent in.  The
company indignantly rebuked all interference
with their chartered rights. They re-elected the
Earl of Southampton treasurer by a large majority; only eight votes out of seventy being




144        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1623.
cast in favour of the candidates nominated by
the king.
Finding it impossible to control the company
through the means of its members, James resolved to annul the charter.  He immediately
sought a plausible pretext to do so without a too
glaring violation of the laws of the realm. The
malcontent members were easily prevailed upon
to present two petitions to the king, setting forth
the many evils which had befallen the colony,
and attributing them to gross mismanagement
on the part of the dominant members of the company.  These charges contained some truths,
mixed up with many falsehoods. Although they
had been prepared with great secrecy, the company succeeded in obtaining copies, justified their
course in the main by an able vindication, and
supported their positions by testimony of a character too respectable to be controverted.
The king, being resolved to admit of no justifi
cation, appointed a commissioner to investigate
the concerns of the company from its earliest settlement. The records were seized. The deputytreasurer was imprisoned, and even private letters
from Virginia were intercepted and broken open.
The report of the commissioners, as might have
been expected, was favourable to the views of the
king. In October, 1623, by an order in council,
he declared the misfortunes of Virginia to have
arisen from the mismanagement of the company,




1623.]    UNJUST ACTS OF JAMES I.        145
and that he had resolved by a new charter to reassume the appointment of a governor and assistants to reside in England; the power to
negative similar appointments in Virginia, and
the supreme control in colonial affairs. If the
company resisted this change, its patent was to
be annulled.
A proposition so entirely unexpected struck
the company with amazement. Three several
times the order in council was read, and no man
uttered a word. At length the vote was taken,
the result of which, by an overwhelming majority,
was to stand by their charter.
They now craved a month's delay, in order
that, by having a larger number of members present, they might be better able to come to a final
decision. The privy council demanded a decisive
answer should be sent in within three days. An
extraordinary court was immediately summoned,
and the resolution was carried, by a vote of sixtythree to seven, to defend the integrity of the
patent.
This decision was probably expected. Four
days afterward the king despatched five commissioners to Virginia, to inquire into all matters which concerned the interests of the colony,
and orders were at the same time sent to the
governor and council to render the committee
all possible assistance.
s13




146           HISTORY  OF VIRGINIA.            [1624.
CHAPTER XII.
Arrival of commissioners in Virginia-Feeling of the colonists
-Proceedings of the commissioners-Pory suborns the clerk
of the council-Punishment of the latter-The presence of
the commissioners disregarded-Acts passed by the assembly
— Taxation asserted to be dependent on representationRegulations adopted to guard against surprise by the Indians
-Charter of the London Company cancelled —Death of
James I.-Great influx of immigrants-No towns in Virginia
— Yeardley appointed governor-Lord Baltimore arrives in'Virginia-Religious intolerance of the colonists-Baltimore
returns to England-Obtains a patent for the province of
Maryland-Yeardley succeeded by Sir John Harvey-Variance of opinions concerning the latter-He is deposed and
sent to England-Is returned-Second Virginia massacre —
Opechancanough taken prisoner-His death.
THE commissioners appointed by James reached Virginia in the early part of the year 1624.
At first, the colonists, taking but little interest
in the controversy between the king and the
company, were disposed to remain neutral; being
contented, so long as their own rights were not
invaded, to look quietly on; but when they had
obtained, by means of secret friends in London,
copies of the two petitions presented to the king,
in which their country and condition were falsely
represented, they met in general assembly, and
returned a spirited reply in defence of their own
honour and good name. A petition to the king
was soon after drafted, and a member of the




1624.]     CROWN COMMISSIONERS.           147
council sent to England, at the general charge
of the colonists, to represent their interests. The
chief prayer of the petition was, "' that the governors may not have absolute power, and that
they might still retain the liberty of popular assemblies, than which, nothing could more conduce to the public satisfaction and public utility."
Differences between the commissioners and the
assembly soon occurred. As the former declined
to make known the authority under which they
acted, and the secret instructions with which
they had been charged, the governor and assembly thought proper to preserve an equal mystery
in regard to their own proceedings. With a view
to obtain the information they required, Pory,
one of the commissioners, nowr suborned the clerk
of the council, and gained from him a full knowledge of the secret consultations of the Virginians.
Indignant at this base treachery, the faithless
clerk was promptly arrested and punished with
the loss of his ears.  ARfter being thus baffled
and exposed, the commissioners endeavoured, by
alternate threats and promises, to induce the
assembly to petition the crown for a revocation
of the charter. In this they were equally unsuccessful.
The assembly, refusing to accredit men who
declined to show the commission under which
they acted, continued to legislate for the colony
in their customary manner.




148         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1624.
The acts passed at this period show that the
colonists were fully sensiblerof their rights as a
free and independent people. One act is peculiarly significant; it declares in the clearest language that taxation and representation must go
together.  This bold proposition is expressed in
the following words: "sThe governor shall not
lay any taxes or impositions upon the colonists,
their lands, or commodities, in any other way
than by the authority of the general assembly, to
be levied and employed as the said assembly shall
appoint."
To guard against any future surprise by the
Indians, the most stringent regulations were
adopted. There being but few of the inhabitants
residing in towns, nearly all the colonists being
scattered widely apart among the plantations, it
was ordered that every house should be fortified
with palisadoes, that no man should go or send
abroad without a party sufficiently armed, or
work in the fields without a sentry to keep guard
over the arms.  The inhabitants were forbidden
to go aboard ships, or elsewhere, in such numbers
as to endanger the safety of their plantations.
Every planter was required to be provided with
a sufficient quantity of arms and ammunition, to
keep a strict watch by night, and to suffer no
powder to be expended in amusement or entertainment. Corn planting was promoted by not'estricting its price, and trade with the savages




1624.]  LONDON COMPANY DISSOLVED.         149
for that necessary article of food strictly prohibited.
Shortly after sending commissioners to Virginia, the king had caused a quo warranto to be
issued against the company. The cause came up
for trial during Trinity term, in 1624. It was,
doubtless, already prejudged.  Before the end
of the term a judgment was declared by the Lord
Chief Justice Ley against the company, and its
charter cancelled.
On the return of the commissioners to England, they reported favourably of the soil and
climate of Virginia, but censured deeply the conduct of the company.  The dissolution of the
latter was followed by no very general regret.
It had been long engaged in bitter controversies,
which crippled its influence, and abstracted greatly from its ability to answer the ends for which
it had been originally organized. Its fall created
no immediate change in the condition of the
colony..... Sir Francis Wyatt was confirmed in his office,
and himself and council only authorized to govern within the same limits as any previous governor and council resident there within the
space of the five previous years.
The council nominated by the king was chosen
with more than his usual wisdom; the selection
being made from men of moderately liberal views
in preference to violent court partisans.
13*




150        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1626.
The death of James, in March, 1625, put a
stop to a project he had formed of framing a
code of fundamental laws for the colony.  He
was succeeded by his son Charles I.
The prosperity of the colony steadily increased.
Large numbers of immigrants sailed for the
favoured country, where they took up land and
settled separately on their plantations.
The passion for becoming owners of large
tracts of land, combined with the advantages
which the numerous rivers afforded for the shipment of tobacco from  private wharves, encouraged a straggling system of settlement, which so
effectually prevented the growth of towns, that
eighty years after this period, or so late as 1703,
there was not congregated together, in any one
place in Virginia, a sufficient number of inhabitants to entitle the collection of houses to any
higher rank than that of a small village.
Although Virginia had become a royal province, her rights and privileges were not interfered
with by Charles. The latter was too intent upon
monopolizing the trade in tobacco exported from
the colony to inquire into the origin of its local
legislation.
In 1626, Wyatt was succeeded as governor by
Sir George Yeardley.  No appointment could
have been more satisfactory to the Virginians,
as it relieved them from all fear that their form
of government would undergo any radical change.




1628.]        LORD BALTIMORE.            151
Charles had, doubtless, no design to take from
the colonists their cherished privilege of self-government, and in the commission of the newlyappointed governor, expressly declared his wish
to benefit, encourage, and perfect the colony,
and to continue its prosperity by the same means
that were formerly thought best suited to effect
that purpose.
The colonial assembly was thus tacitly acknowledged; and as Yeardley had the honour of its
first introduction, his reappointment was regarded as a happy omen.
The death of Yeardley, in 1628, led to the appointment of Sir John Harvey.  During the interim, Francis West was elected by the council
to occupy the office vacated by the decease of
Yeardley, until his successor should arrive.
It was at this period that Lord, Baltimore
visited Virginia. His intention was to have settled in the colony, but having become by convietion a IRoman Catholic, he was received with
the utmost coldness by the people, who required
him, as a preliminary to his becoming a recognised citizen of the colony, to take the oath of
allegiance and supremacy.  -is religious scruples prevented him  from complying with this
demand, and, pained at the religious intolerance
of which he had been made a striking example,
he resolved upon seeking a settlement elsewhere.
With this view he explored the Chesapeake




152        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1635.
Bay, and finding it as yet altogether uninhabited
by the English, none of whose settlements extended beyond the south side of the Potomac
River, he projected the plan of a new colony, to
be founded under his own auspices, and entirely
independent of Virginia. On his return to England, he succeeded in obtaining from Charles I.
a grant of the province of Maryland, bounded
to the south, on the western shore, by the Potomac River; and on the eastern shore, by an
east line from Point Lookout.  Lord Baltimore
dying before his project was fully perfected, his
son obtained, in 1633, a confirmation of the
patent, and went over in person to plant his new
colony.
On the unexpected return of West to England,
John Pott was chosen Governor of Virginia,
whose term of administration came to aln end, in
the autumn of 1629, by the arrival from England of Sir John Harvey.
The administration of Harvey has been variously characterized. B} some historians he is
regarded as having acted in a rapacious and
tyrannical manner.  His deposition from office
in 1635, and his shipment to England, accompanied by commissioners empowered to lay their
complaints before the king, gave a plausible
colouring to the charge. On the other hand, his
apologists point out the circumscribed power of
the governor, and ask how it was possible for




1639.]          DISCONTENTS.            153
tyranny to have been exercised under a prerogative so limited?
There is very little doubt that the period during which Harvey was governor was one of great
party heat and excitement.
A grant issued in 1630 to Sir Robert Heath,
for the territory of South Carolina, was well
calculated to produce an unpleasant state of
feeling in Virginia, which the subsequent grant
of Maryland to Lord Baltimore by no means
tended to allay.  The Virginians felt that the
boundaries of their province had been unjustly
circumscribed, and they charged Harvey with
having rendered assistance in obtaining the obnoxious patents.
That the colonists must,have felt themselves
seriously aggrieved before they ventured upon
an act, than which nothing was more likely to
draw upon them  the displeasure of the king,
cannot be doubted for a moment.  Charles was
indeed indignant. He refused to hear the commissioners, sent them directly home, and reinstated Harvey in his former office without instituting any inquiry into his previous conduct.
In 1639, Harvey was succeeded by Sir Francis
Wyatt.  The latter remained in office only two
years, when he surrendered his authority into
the hands of Sir William Berkeley. -..>
During the earlier years of Berkeley's adininistration, many new and judicious laws were made




154         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1644.
by the Virginians, which tended to perfect their
system  of government.  Condemnations to service were abolished, the courts of justice made
more conformable to those of England, religion
was provided for, the land titles adjusted, and
the boundary difficulties with Maryland amicably
arranged.
The contending factions by which England was
at this time torn did not in any serious degree
affect Virginia. There, all was peace, concert,
and harmony. The Indians, against whom inroads were made almost annually, having heard
of the troubles in the mother country, were instigated by the now very aged Opechancanough
to cut off, by a second massacre, three hundred
of the colonists. The loss fell severest upon the
plantations to the south of James River, and on
the heads of the other rivers, but chiefly in the
neighbourhood of the Pamunkey, where the authority of Opechancanough was most implicitly
recognised.
Opechancanough had been in his earlier years
a man of large stature and of commanding appearance. IHe'has been called, by Smith and
other historians, the brother of Powhattan; but
the tradition of the Indians was different.  They
spoke of him as a prince of a foreign nation, who
came to them a great way from the south-west;
and from accounts subsequently given to the
settlers, he was supposed to have sprung from




1644.]        OPECHANCANOUGH.             155
the Spanish Indians on the frontiers of Mexico.
One thing is certain, whether a native or a
foreign prince, from the first settlement of Jamestown until his own death, he continued either
secretly or openly the bitter foe to the English.
No sooner did the tidings of this massacre
reach Berkeley, than he commenced against the
savages retaliatory measures of the severest
kind. Their villages were burned to the ground,
their crops destroyed, and they themselves, hunted incessantly among the recesses of the forest,
were shot down without mercy wherever they
could be found. The aged Opechancanough was
the especial object of pursuit.  He had now
grown so decrepit, that, being unable to walk
alone, he was carried by his men wherever he
was compelled to flee before his relentless pursuers. His once stalwart person was now gaunt
and emaciated. His sinews slackened, and his
eyelids had become so heavy that he could not
see but as they were lifted up by his servants.
In this low condition he was surprised in his
hiding-place by a party of horse, and conducted
a prisoner to Jamestown.  He was received by
the governor with all respect and tenderness, but
he did not survive his capture more than two
weeks; one of the soldiers by whom he was
taken prisoner having basely shot him through
the back, in revenge for the injuries which the
colonists had suffered.




156        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1644.
Hle bore up with stoical bravery to the last
moment of his life, and did not exhibit the least
dejection at his captivity. Hearing one day the
sound of numerous footsteps about him, he caused
his eyelids to be lifted, and finding that a crowd
of persons had been admitted to see him, he
called indignantly for the governor, and told him
with great scorn, that if it had been his fortune
to have taken Sir William Berkeley prisoner, he
would not meanly have exposed him as a show
to the people. The mortified chieftain had forgotten the exultation with which, at an earlier
day, he had paraded Virginia's noblest champion,
Captain John Smith, through all the Indian villages from the Pamunkey to the Potomac.




1644.            HER PROSPERITY.                  157
CHAPTER XIII.
Berkeley sails for England-Treaty of peace with the Indians
-Prosperity of Virginia-Her loyalty-Hospitality extended
to fugitive Cavaliers-Charles II. proclaimed-Action of the
English Parliament-Virginia acknowledges the commonwealth-Berkeley resigns-Richard Bennett elected governor
-Indian incursion-Edward Diggs elected governor-Samuel
Matthews chosen governor-His controversy with the burgesses-Declares the dissolution of the assembly-The assembly deposes the governor and council-Re-elects Matthews
-His submission-Richard Cromwell-Acknowledged protector of England-The Virginia assembly defines its privileges-Restoration of Charles II. —Berkeley sails for England
— The laws of Virginia revised.
THE prosperity of the province of Virginia
suffered no material check from  the last Indian
outbreak. The savages themselves were alarmed
at their own temerity, and, to avoid the wrath
they had provoked, fled immediately from the
scene of massacre.  The settlers most exposed
upon the frontiers banded together for self-defence during a brief period; but even then companies of ten men were considered sufficient to
insure protection against any force which the
savages could bring against them.
In June, 1644, Berkeley sailed for England.
During his absence, Richard Kemp was elected
by the council to exercise the functions of goVernor.
14




158         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1645.
Berkeley returned to the province in June, 1645,
and reassumed the duties of his office. In October
of the following year, a treaty of peace was concluded with Necotowance, the successor of Opechancanough. By the terms of this treaty, the
Indians were permitted to inhabit the north side
of the York or Pamunkey River, while the whites
obtained a cession, for ever, of all the country
from  the falls of the James and York to the
Chesapeake Bay.
The long struggle between Charles I. and the
Parliament, which ended in the decapitation of
the king, and the elevation of Oliver Cromwell
to the protectorate, crowded the ports of Virginia with vessels and immigrants. At the close
of 1648, thirty-one ships traded to the province,
twelve of which were from London and Bristol,
a like number from Holland, and seven from New
England.
Attached to the cause of Charles from the
moderation with which he had exercised his prerogative as regarded themselves, the Virginians
were disposed to look upon the success of the
parliamentary party in England as likely to affect
the welfare of the province injuriously.  Such
fugitive Cavaliers, therefore, as sought a home
among them, they welcomed with the most unbounded hospitality. Every house was a shelter
for- them, and every planter a friend.
Berkeley, also a devoted loyalist, received the




1652.]    CHARLES II. PROCLAIMED.          159
fugitives with open arms.  His purse and his
dwelling were free to all.  Charles II. was proclaimed with enthusiasm the rightful monarch of
Tirginia, and every expression of dissent on the
part of the few republicans who inclined to the
cause of the English commonwealth was promptly rebuked.
Charles, then an exile at Breda, did not fail
to evince his gratification at the loyalty displayed
by Virginia.  He sent Berkeley a renewal of his
commission as governor, and suggested fit candidates for various offices in the province.
For three years after the execution of Charles
I., the authority of his son was acknowledged by
Virginia.
No sooner, however, were affairs tranquillized
nearer home, than the English Parliament turned its attention to the colonies.  An ordinance
was passed empowering the council of state to
reduce the rebellious colonies to obedience, and
closing the ports of Barbadoes, Antigua, Bermnudas, and Virginia, against foreign trading vessels.  Maryland had already made submission,
and Massachusetts, anticipating the orders of
Parliament, to preserve the independence of her
own legislation, had prohibited all intercourse
with Virginia until the supremacy of the commonwealth should be established.
In the early part of 1652, an English squadron, after reducing Antigua and Barbadoes, en



160         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1652.
tered the waters of the Chesapeake. Active preparations had previously been made by the Virginians for a vigorous defence; but when terms
were offered them, by which it was agreed that
the act.,of submission should be considered a
voluntary one, and not enforced by conquest;
that they should enjoy equal liberty with the
firee-born people of England; that they should
enact their own laws by general assembly as
hitherto; and that they should be free from all
taxes, customs, and impositions whatever, except
such as the general assembly should consent to,
there was no longer any reason or policy to persevere in their resistance, and therefore, upon
those terms, the articles of surrender were signed
by the general assembly and the commissioners
of the commonwealth.
By this amicable arrangement, Virginia lost
nothing of her former independence. Berkeley,
a devoted loyalist, immediately resigned his office,
and Richard Bennett, one of the commissioners,
was elected governor. A new council was also
organized, with power to act only upon such instructions from England as should be first ratified
by the general assembly. At the same session
it was declared best that officers should be elected by the burgesses, who were the representatives of the people, and the governor and council
were only to be admitted in future to seats in




1652.]     GOVERNOR MATTHEWS.            161
the assembly, by taking a similar oath to that
required of the burgesses.
About this time the colony was again troubled
with Indian hostilities. A number of strange
Indians, calling themselves Rechahecrians, descended from their homes among the mountains,
to the number of six or seven hundred warriors,
and took up a strong position on the falls of
James River.  The first expedition sent against
them returned unsuccessful.  A second one was
organized soon after, which was accompanied by
a band of tributary Indians under their chief
Totopotomoi. Supported by the English, these
savage allies fought with desperate bravery.
They numbered one hundred men; and were
nearly all of them killed, including their chief.
7 In 1655, Edward Diggs, who, as a member of
the council, had given repeated proofs of his
fidelity to Virginia and the commonwealth of
England, was elected governor by the assembly.. In March, 1658, the choice of the assembly
fell upon " worthy Samuel Matthews, an old
planter of forty years standing, who kept a good
house, lived bravely, and was a true lover of Virginia."
Notwithstanding this high praise of Governor
Matthews, his elevation appears to have inspired
him with so exalted an idea of his prerogative as
to lead him into a controversy with the assembly.
The latter had extended its powers by making a
14"




162         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1658.
change in the constitution, under which all laws
were in future to be discussed in private session,
and not, as heretofore, in the presence of the
governor and his council.  Instead also of dissolving the assembly, the burgesses thought fit to
adjourn the session until November.
On the Ist of April, the governor and council
declared by message a dissolution of the assembly. The answer of the latter denied the legality of the act, and requested that it should be
revoked. A- resolution was then carried, by which
such members as separated from the rest of the
assembly were to incur censure as false to the
trust reposed in them, and the acts of those remaining were to be considered as the acts of th3
entire house. Each member was further bound,
by oath, not to disclose the proceedings of the
assembly.
This sturdy resistance to the dictation of the
governor induced him to yield; but as he expressed, at the same time, his intention to appeal
to the protector, the assembly voted his answer
unsatisfactory, and requested him to revoke his
order of dissolution.
Matthews consented to do so, but still asserted
his determination to refer the dispute to Cromwell for his decision.
Fully conscious that such an act would be
likely to jeopardize their liberties, the members
of the assembly resolved on a solemn assertion




1658.]       BOLD PROCEEDINGS.           163
of their independent powers.  They declared the
house of burgesses incapable of dissolution by
any authority in Virginia except their own. To
show that they possessed the right to remove
obnoxious officers, they deposed the governor and
council, and then re-elected the former and a part
of the latter.  They further resolved, that in
future no one should be admitted of the council
unless he was nominated, appointed, and confirmed by the house of burgesses.
These bold proceedings effectually alarmed
Matthews. He consented to hold his office on
their own terms, and acknowledged the supremacy
of the assembly by taking the new oath which
they prescribed.  The principle of popular sovereignty being thus unequivocally admitted, the
public business was conducted in future with the
utmost harmony.
When Cromwell died, in March, 1659, the burgesses, after deliberating privately, unanimously
resolved to recognise his son Richard.
As the council in England, in the letter which
officially notified to the Virginians the death of
the protector, had left their government to be
conducted according to former usage, the assembly determined to define its existing powers
in the most explicit manner.
The governor was accordingly summoned to
attend the house, and in the presence of the
whole assembly, to solemnly acknowledge that




164         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1659.
the supreme power of electing officers was by the
present laws resident in the grand assembly.
The reason assigned for requiring this submissive avowal on the part of the governor affords
a remarkable evidence of the estimation in which
the Virginians held their popular sovereignty.
It was, in order "c that what was their privilege
now, might be the privilege of their posterity."
The protectorate of Richard Cromwell was
speedily brought to an end by his quiet resignation of an authority which he had no ambition
to wield.
About the same time, Governor Matthews died.
The burgesses were immnediately called together.
As England was without an acknowledged head,
they decreed that the supreme power of Virginia
should be vested in the assembly, and that all
writs should issue in its name until a commission,
recognised as legal by the assembly itself, should
arrive from England.
Sir William Berkeley, who had resided quietly
upon his plantation during the protectorate of
Cromwell, was now re-elected governor. He
consented to accept the office at the hands of
the assembly, acknowledged himself its servant,
agreed to call an assembly once in two years at
least, and not to dissolve it without its own consent.
But while thus tenacious of their liberties, the
Virginians felt no desire to be released from their




1660.]    BERKELEY REAPPOINTED.           165
allegiance to England so long as they were permitted to retain the power of controlling their
own affairs. Notwithstanding their politic recognition of the English commonwealth, their loyalty
to the Stuarts remained unshaken.
During the interregnum, Virginia regulated
her own commerce by acts of independent legislation.  She opened her ports to all foreign
ships, on the payment of no higher duty than
was levied on English vessels bound to a foreign
port; she entertained proposals of peace and
commerce with New Netherlands; and extended,
by special statute, to every Christian nation at
peace with England, a promise of liberty to trade
and equal justice.
Upon the restoration of Charles II., the latter
sent Berkeley a new commission, with leave to return to England, and power to appoint a deputy
in his absence.  Leaving Colonel Francis Morrison deputy-governor, Berkeley set sail, and was
received by the king with great kindness. The
attachment of Charles to the most loyal of his
colonies is well known.  Tradition states, that in
compliment to the province of Virginia, he wore
at his coronation a robe made of the silk sent
from thence; but the affection of the restored
monarch never subsequently displayed itself in
any more substantial manner.
WAThile Berkeley was absent, Colonel Morrison,
acting under the instructions of his superior, re



166         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1661.
vised the laws of Virginia, and compiled them
into one body, ready to be confirmed by the
assembly on his return.  By these laws the
church of England was recognised as the established religion; the change of the government
sustained, trade and manufactures encouraged, a
town projected, and all Indian affairs settled.
The parishes were likewise regulated. Competent allowances of about eighty pounds a
year, besides glebes and perquisites, were made
to ministers.  Their method of preferment was
also adjusted, convenient churches and glebes
were provided, and all necessary parish officers
instituted. Some steps were also made toward
establishing a free school and a college, and all
the poor were effectually provided for.
For the support of the government, the duty
of two shillings on each hogshead of tobacco, and
one shilling on every ton of shipping, was made
perpetual, and the collectors rendered responsible
for the same to the general assembly.
For the encouragement of manufactures, bounties were offered for the best pieces of linen and
woollen cloth, and fifty pounds of tobacco were
offered for each pound of silk. All persons were
enjoined to plant mulberry trees in proportion to
the number of acres they held.  Tanneries were
erected in each county at the county charge,
and public encouragement given to a salt-work
on the eastern shore. A bounty was also offered




1662.]              JAMESTOWN.                   167
in proportion to tonnage for all ships built in
the province, which were also to be exempted
from  all the customary fees and duties.
CHAPTER XIV.
Jamestown in 1662-Increase of nonconformists —Persecution
of-Their migration firom Virginia-Projected massacreIts opportune discovery-The prosperity of the province
checked by injurious English laws-Futile attempts of the
assembly to remedy the evil-An exploring party cross the
Blue Ridge-Growing difficulties-Change in the political
condition of the Virginians-Statistics of the province in
1671-Oppressed situation of the poorer planters —Magnificent vagaries of Charles II.-Agents sent to England-Popular disturbances-Descent of the Seneca Indians upon the
Susquehannas-Outrages committed on the frontiers by the
latter-Six chiefs treacherously murdered-Sanguinary retaliation-Arming of the Virginians-Berkeley reprobates
war -- Nathaniel Bacon —His condition and characterMarches against the Indians.
ON his return from England in the latter part
of the year 1662, Berkeley prevailed upon the
assembly to pass an act for the improvement of
Jamestown, which had dwindled into an insignificant village. Seventeen houses were accordingly
erected therein  at the expense  of the several
counties, who were allowed to impress labourers
for the work at established rates.  Every private
person who built a house within the limits of the
city was entitled to receive, as a bonus, from the
public treasury, ten thousand pounds of tobacco.




168         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1663.
All persons who consented to become citizens of
the town were to be privileged from arrest for
two years; all ships trading to Virginia were
ordered to go to Jamestown and enter their cargoes before they broke bulk; and all tobacco
made in the three neighbouring counties was
directed to be brought to the same point and
stored for shipment.
These regulations were soon found impracticable, and the assembly gave permission to such
ships as were bound to the York, Rappahannock,
and Potomac Rivers, to ride dispersed and anchor
wherever it was found most convenient. Jamestown accordingly was but little increased in
population under the new law which had been
passed for its especial benefit, and for many
years afterward consisted of but thirty-two brick
houses, most of which were converted into taverns
and other places of entertainment.
In 1663, the number of nonconformists increasing rapidly, the assembly, in order to check
what it considered a growing evil, enacted that
all who -refused, ", out of averseness to the orthodox established religion, or the new-fangled conceits of their own heretical inventions, to have
their children baptized by the lawful minister,
should be subjected to a fine of two thousand
pounds of tobacco."
Other restraints and penalties, equally severe,
being imposed upon those who could not in con



1663.]          CONSPIRACY.              169
science conform to the doctrines of the church
of England, many of them migrated into the
neighbouring colonies, while others settled on the
banks of the Chowan, where a few immigrants
of the same persuasion had laid the foundation
of what was subsequently to be known as the
province of North Carolina.
This rigorous religious persecution, joined to
the extremely low price of the staple commodity,
tobacco, occasioned the poorer class of people to
break out into loud murmurs against the government, and led to the formation of a conspiracy
among the indented servants, some of whom
had been soldiers under Cromwell. These latter, depending upon the malcontent citizens for
assistance, arranged a plot to murder their masters and the colonial officers, and then to take
upon themselves the government of the province.
The evening of the 13th of September was
designated for the massacre; but upon the night
of the 12th, a man by the name of Birkenhead,
who was servant to a Mr. Smith of Purton, in
Gloucester county, betrayed his accomplices.
Tidings of the discovery were immediately sent
to Governor Berkeley, who ordered a party of
militia to proceed at once to Poplar Spring, near
Purton, which was the appointed rendezvous of
the conspirators, and having secreted themselves
to seize the miscreants as they came singly up.
This scheme was successful only in part; a few
15




170         IISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1663.
of the earlier comers were taken prisoners, but
others, making their escape, informed those who
were behind, and the full extent of the conspiracy
never becoming perfectly known, was doubtless
much magnified.
For a time, the alarm growing out of the discovery of this plot was very great in Virginia.
The assembly appointed a thanksgiving to be
observed annually on the 13th of September. A
guard was ordered for the protection of the governor and council, and a fort built at Jamestown, upon which several small pieces of cannon
were mounted.
By an act of the English Parliament which
went into operation during this year, all foreign
goods intended for the colonies must first be
landed in England, and be sent thence in English
vessels. Under this act the English merchant
obtained the entire control of the tobacco raised
in Virginia; which, for want of any competition,
he could purchase at his own valuation, while the
Virginians were compelled to take such European
goods as they required, in exchange, at any price
the merchant might choose to ask.
To remedy this, the assembly endeavoured to
raise the price of tobacco, by omitting to plant
it for a year or more. But in order to render
the scheme effectual, it was necessary to obtain
the consent of Maryland to a similar restriction.
After much negotiation, the latter province, in




1666.]        EXPLORING PARTY.            171
1666, passed an act ordering no tobacco to be
planted for one year; but Lord Baltimore would
not consent to its going into operation.  Several
other attempts were made to carry out a similar
treaty, both with Maryland and the new province
of Carolina, but they all proved abortive in the end.
The first exploring party that ever crossed
the Blue Ridge was sent out from Virginia, by
Berkeley, during this year. It consisted of fourteen Virginians, and as many Indians, the whole
detachment being placed under the command of
Captain Batt.
The party set out from Appomattox, and after
a march of seven days reached the foot of the
mountains.  Those they first approached were
neither high nor steep, but after they passed the
first ridge, they encountered others which were
so perpendicular, and so full of precipices, that
it was with great difficutly they could travel three
miles in a direct line in a whole day's march. In
other places they found large level plains, dotted
with groups of trees, and abounding with the deer,
the elk, and the buffalo, so tame and gentle that
they showed no fear at the appearance of the
men, but would suffer them to approach within a
few feet of them before they would change their
quarters.  After crossing other mountains, the
exploring party came to a fine river, the stream
of which they followed several days, until they
came to old fields and cabins where the Indians




172        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1670.
had lately been. Batt left some toys in the deserted cabins, as an evidence of friendly feeling,
and was about to continue his journey when his
Indian allies refused to venture any farther.
They said, that not far off from that place,
was a tribe of Indians which made salt, and sold
it to the neighbouring savages; that this tribe
was numerous and powerful, and never suffered
any strangers to return after they had once
entered their towns.
Finding the Indians resolute in their determination not to incur any more risk by prolonging
the adventure, Captain Batt was compelled to
return to the province, with all his high-wrought
hopes of discovery frustrated.
The report of Batt to Governor Berkeley stimulated the latter to attempt the journey in person,
but his preparations were defeated by growing
difficulties within the province.
Notwithstanding the loyalty of the Virginians,
the restoration of Charles II. had proved fatal to
many of their most cherished rights and privileges. The authority of the crown was recognised in the choice of the governor and council;
the justices of peace, who exercised the power
of levying county taxes, received their appointment directly from the governor; the burgesses,
previously elected every two years by universal
suffrage, legislated themselves into an indefinite
continuance of power; and finally, in 1670,




1671.]         HER CONDITION.            173
although the system of direct taxation bore upon
all freemen with a like equality, the assembly
restricted the right of a voice in the election of
burgesses to such only as were housekeepers and
freeholders.
In 1671, the entire population of Virginia was
estimated at forty thousand persons. Of this number, two thousand were negro slaves, and six thousand white indented apprentices.  Of the latter,
some fifteen hundred, mostly English, were imported annually. Of tobacco, the staple commodity,
the quantity exported during the previous year
was between fifteen- and twenty thousand hogsheads, weighing three hundred and fifty pounds
each. The ships trading to the province numbered some eighty. The executive consisted of
the governor and fifteen councillors, subordinate to the assembly; the latter having full authority to levy such taxes as the exigencies of
the province required.  "~We have forty-eight
parishes," adds Berkeley, from whose letter to
the privy council in England this account is
taken, ", and our ministers are well paid, and by
my consent should be better, if they would pray
oftener, and preach less." A little farther on,
he thanks God there are neither schools nor
printing-offices in the province, and hopes there
will be none for a hundred years to come.
The poorer freemen of the province bore up
under their various grievances and restrictions
16



174         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1673.
for several years, but with a gradually increasing
impatience.  The price of tobacco was extremely
low, while the cost of foreign commodities had
been enhanced; the taxes, bearing upon rich and
poor alike, were oppressively unequal; while the
franchise, a right which they had cherished so
long, had become limited in its operation. The
high wages which the burgesses had voted themselves, together with the cost of maintaining forts
which were of little or no service, were also prolific sources of complaint. But all these evils of
local origin were as nothing compared to the
alarm into which the province was thrown by the
magnificent vagaries of Charles II., its beloved
sovereign.
His first freak was to give to one Colonel
Norwood, for a term of years, the royal quitrents, instead of applying them to the benefit of
the colony.  His next, to grant to the Earl of
St. Albans, Lord Culpepper, and others, the
whole northern neck of Virginia; that is, the
peninsula between the Rappahanock and the
Potomac Rivers, without even excepting the
plantations already settled there.
Finally, in 1673, the whole province was assigned, for thirty-one years, to Lords Culpepper
and Arlington, including all quitrents, escheats,
the power to grant lands, and to erect new counties; the presentation to new churches, and the
nomination of sheriffs, escheators, and surveyors.




1674. ]        DISSATISFACTION.            175
The nature of this assignment did not become
known in the province until the following year.
It was no sooner understood, however, than the
whole people resolved to remonstrate. The assembly met, and after drawing up an address to
his majesty, complaining of the grant as derogatory to previous charters and privileges, despatched three agents to England to solicit a modification of the grant, or to purchase it up for the
benefit of the province.
To defray the charge of these agents, the assemnbly imposed upon the colonists-besides the
ordinary taxes-a tax of one hundred pounds of
tobacco per head, to be collected in two annual
instalments,  and  amerced  every unsuccessful
suitor in the provincial courts, in a fine, ranging
firom thirty to seventy pounds of tobacco.
These taxes and amercements fell heaviest
upon the poorer class of people, the profits of
whose labour had scarcely been sufficient, in ordinary times, to feed and clothe their families. In.
1674, the public dissatisfaction had broken out
into popular disturbances, which were, however,
speedily suppressed by a proclamation of the
governor, aided by the calmer counsels of influential persons. But although quiet was thus restored, it was only for a brief season.  Mere
words were not sufficient to relieve positive suffering, and the people felt that their hardships
still continued. Nor were many of the wealthier




176         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1674.
colonists insensible of the political change which
the province had of late years undergone. They
too looked back regretfully to former days of
freedom and prosperity, and were ready to seize
on any occasion which should offer them  a favourable opportunity of asserting their ancient
privileges. Time soon brought the occasion, and,
with it, a leader around whom all classes of fieemen could rally in a common cause.
During the year 1674, the Seneca Indians left
their northern hunting-grounds, and precipitating
themselves upon the Susquehannas, forced the
latter to fall back on the borders of Maryland
and  Virginia.  Several murders occurring in
1675, within the limits of Virginia, were retaliated upon the savages by the militia of the frontiers.  War was declared, and as Maryland was
at the time most seriously threatened, she received
aid from the Virginia planters residing in the vicinity of the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers.
These planters were commanded by John
Washington, the great-grandfather of George
Washington, a farmer settled in Westmoreland
county, who had immigrated from England to
Virginia some eighteen years before.
Having formed a junction with the Marylanders, the united forces attacked a fort of the Susquehannas on the north side of the Potomac,
and —provoked, perhaps, by previous outragesslew, in the heat of passion, six Indian chiefs




1674.]          INDIAN WAR.               177
who were sent out by the besieged to treat of
peace.  It. was a treacherous act, and met with
deserved reprobation.  The leader of the Maryland militia was arrested by order of both
houses of assembly, and narrowly-escaped with
his life; while Berkeley indignantly declared,
", If they had killed my father and my mother,
and all my friends, yet if they had come to treat
of peace, they ought to have gone in peace."
After a desperate resistance the fort was
taken, but the savages that escaped revenged
the deaths of their slaughtered messengers by
sacrificing ten colonists to each chief thus wantonly slain.
When this sanguinary retaliation was accomplished, they once more offered to treat for
peace.  But the passions of the Virginians were
now  fully aroused, and  peace was refused.
Berkeley himself, holding the monopoly of the
beaver trade in Virginia, was inclined to favour
the Indians.  He was charged with being influenced more by his avarice than the safety of
the province.
At this juncture, the tributary Indians, who
had faithfully observed their treaty stipulations
for thirty years, commenced a series of outrages
upon the settlers. The people clamoured loudly
for permission to defend themselves, and fixed
upon Nathaniel Bacon for their leader.
Bacon was as young and wealthy plantcr9




178        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1675.
scarcely thirty years of age, gifted with fine
talents and an eloquent address. He had been
educated in England, where he studied law in the
Temple. On his return to Virginia he was called
to a seat in the council, but being popularly inclined was no favourite with Berkeley, whose
royalist and arbitrary tendencies gained strength
with his advancing age. But the liberal opinions
which lost Bacon the good graces of the governor gained him numerous friends among the people, who already began to look upon him as the
champion of their cause.  Dissensions arose in
the council, and the vacillating conduct of the
government at this juncture threw upon it the
contempt of all who believed that the safety of
the province required prompt and decisive action.
Bacon, after sending in vain to Jamestown for
authority to organize an expedition against the
Indians, asserted openly, that if another white
man was murdered, he would take upon himself
the authority which the people were desirous to
confer, but which the government would neither
grant nor refuse. Tidings were soon brought
that some of Bacon's own men had been killed
by the Indians on his plantation near the falls
of the James  River. Five hundred Virginians
immediately flew to arms, and without waiting
any longer for authority from Jamestown, Bacon
placed himself at their head, and commenced his
march against the cnemvy




1676.]        DEPARTURE OF BACON.                   179
CHAPTER XV.
Departure of Bacon-Berkeley commands him to return and
disperse his followers-Bacon attacks an Indian fort and carries it by storm-Is pursued by Berkeley-Disturbances in
the lower counties-Dissolution of the old assembly-A new
assembly called-Bacon elected a burgess-Is arrested by
order of the governor-Temporary reconciliation-Bacon
appointed commander-in-chief —Jealousy of Berkeley —Refuses Bacon a commission-Five hundred men march into
Jamestown-Berkeley submits-Retires to Gloucester county-Proclaims Bacon a rebel-Bacon issues writs for a convention of the people-Berkeley retreats to AccomacRaises an army and sails for Jamestown-Bacon marches
against him-The governor deserted by his troops-Triumphant progress of Bacon-His death-Violent proceedings
of Berkeley-Thomas Hansford and others hanged —Death
of Berkeley.
THE  departure  of Bacon was quickly  made
known to Berkeley. Irritated at finding his authority treated with contempt, the old governor
issued a proclamation depriving Bacon of his
seat in council, and commanding his followers to
return to their homes.  Such as feared the forfeiture of their estates obeyed, and Bacon was
left to continue his march with only fifty-seven
men. After penetrating the wilderness until his
provisions were nearly exhausted, Bacon reached
the vicinity of a fort of friendly Indians, from
whom he offered to purchase such stores as
the half famished condition of his men most




180         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1676.
imperatively required.   The  Indians readily
promised to supply his wants, but for three days
afterward delayed to fulfil their agreement. His
food being entirely exhausted, and suspecting the
garrison to be acting under secret advice fronom
the governor, Bacon placed himself at the head
of his followers, waded the deep stream flowing
in front of the fort, and entreating the savages
to furnish his men with food, tendered, at the
same time, full payment for all that should be
brought him.
While he was thus earnestly negotiating, a
shot from the bank he had just quitted killed
one of his men. His resolution was instantly
taken.  Fearful of an attack in the rear, he
fired the palisades, stormed and burnt the fort
and cabins, and with the loss of only three men,
slew one hundred and fifty Indians.
In the mean time, Berkeley, instigated to extreme measures by the aristocratic faction in the
province, levied troops and marched in pursuit
of Bacon, but was soon compelled to retrace his
steps.
To relieve their friend from the danger with
which he was threatened, Drummond and Lawrence, both gentlemen of liberal principles, and
of the highest standing in the community, fomented an insurrection in the lower counties.
The people met by beat of drum, declared forts
an intolerable nuisance, and giving vent to their




1676.]       BACON ARRESTED.            181
long-pent-up hatred of the imperious assembly,
demanded its dissolution. Berkeley, unable to
contend against the popular voice, was compelled
to submit. The assembly was dissolved; writs for
a new election were issued; and Bacon, returning
in triumph from his brief Indian campaign, was
unanimously elected a burgess from  his own
county of Henrico.
Conscious of the danger he was likely to incur
by proceeding to Jamestown alone, Bacon descended the river in a sloop, accompanied by
forty armed followers. Thus protected, he waited on the governor and council for the purpose
of justifying the course he had pursued. Being
refused a hearing, he indignantly returned to his
sloop and set sail for Henrico.
A longboat, filled with men, was immediately
despatched to intercept him. Shots being fired,
he exchanged the sloop for a small skiff, and retreated with greater speed up the river. Berkeley, however, had sent swift messengers, overland, to the ships lying at Sandy Point; and
Bacon, finding his retreat cut off, surrendered to
the summons of the sheriff, and with twenty of
his followers was conveyed a prisoner to Jamestown.
But though the popular and patriotic young
leader was now placed completely in his power,
Berkeley did not dare to punish him with severity.
The new assembly, which met in June, 1676, con.
16




182        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1676.
tained many burgesses who had espoused the
liberal views of Bacon, and were diligently bent
upon restoring those rights and privileges of
which they had been deprived for several years.
The passionate old governor was induced to
concede a pardon to the insurgents; while Bacon,
moved thereto, perhaps, by the entreaties of his
uncle-whose next heir he was-humbled himself
before the assembly, and asked forgiveness of the
past on the promise of future obedience.
By this means, and by the intervention of
friends, a temporary reconciliation was effected
with Berkeley, and Bacon was restored to his
seat in council.  The assembly appointed him
soon after commander-in-chief, and the governor
consented to sign his commission.  The people
were greatly rejoiced. It looked like the dawn
of a happier day. The darling of their hopes
had but stooped to conquer. The principles of
Bacon rapidly gained ground, and many acts
were passed by which much of the ancient freedom was restored.
Berkeley regarded these doings with a jealous
eye. The particular pains taken by the assembly
to redress old grievances was by no means palatable to him.
The activity of Lawrence and Drummond, both
members of the assembly, was particularly obnoxious. He characterized them openly as rogues,
and bade the burgesses beware of them; bade




1676.]      BERKELEY'S TYRANNY.          183
them despatch the Indian business, and meddle
with nothing else till that was done.  The increasing popularity of Bacon, his eloquence, his
engaging manners, his blameless life, and, above
all, his freely expressed sentiments of patriotism,
kept the suspicions of the governor constantly
on the alert. When liberal principles wholly
prevailed in Virginia, Berkeley had acknowledged
himself the servant of the burgesses.  The royalist tendencies of the latter, and a grasping desire on their part to maintain their seats for life,
had led them  to contract the liberties of the
people, and to surrender to the crown the appointment of the governor and council, in the
hope of retaining for themselves a permanence
of office.  With increase of power, Berkeley
grew imperious and dogmatic. IHe was no longer
the servant of the assembly, but its arrogant
master, and any attempt to resist his dictation,
or to infringe upon what he considered his prerogative, was, in his opinion, a crime little short
of treason to the crown.
Bacon, from  his commanding talents, and the
affection with which he was regarded by the
masses, soon became to Berkeley an object of fear
and dislike, and the impetuous old man was but
a poor dissembler.  When, therefore, Berkeley
was requested to sign the commission of Bacon
as commander-in-chief, he refused.  Bacon im



184         HISTORY OF VIRGINIAo.    [1676.
mediately left Jamestown, and in a few days reentered it at the head of five hundred men.
These sturdy followers, after surrounding the
statehouse while the burgesses were in session,
clamoured loudly for a commission to their leader,
and indemnity for their present act.
Presenting their fusils at the windows of the
apartment where the burgesses met, and which
was then crowded with faces, they repeated the
demand for the commission, adding menacingly,
"4We'll have it! we'll have it!"  One of the
members then waved his handkerchief to them
from the window, and cried out, " You shall have
it, you shall have it!"  Upon this promise the
men unbent their locks, and grounding their arms
waited till Bacon should rejoin them.
No sooner was the presence of the latter at
the head of an armed force known to Berkeley,
than, accompanied by his council, he went out to
meet him. There was no want of courage in the
testy old governor. Baring his breast as he
advanced, he cried out to Bacon, "c A fair mark!
shoot!" The reply of the young leader was
calm.' "6No, may it please your honour," said
he, "w me will not hurt a hair of your head, nor
of any other man's. We are come for a commission to save our lives from the Indians, which
you have so often promised; and now we'll have
it before we go."  On the second day, Berkeley,
pressed on all sides, was compelled to submit. A




1676.]     BACON S PROCEEDINGS.         185
commission was issued, appointing Bacon general
of all the forces then raising in Virginia, and a
despatch was transmitted to England, signed by
the governor, his council, and the burgesses,
commending the legislation of the new assembly,
and the zeal, loyalty, and patriotism of Bacon.
Energetic operations were at once commenced
against the savages. As preliminary to the campaign for which the troops were organizing, the
thickets and swamps were pierced by scouting
parties of rangers, and the stragglers of the
enemy driven back upon the main body.
At length, when Bacon was prepared to put
his little army in motion, Berkeley retired to
Gloucester county, called a convention of the
inhabitants, and against the openly avowed
opinions of those whom he had summoned
together, proclaimed Bacon a rebel.
Berkeley's "c two rogues," Lawrence and Drummiond-the former an Oxford scholar, and the
latter but recently governor of the new province of
North Carolina-immediately bore the tidings to
Bacon in his camp. Conscious of being inspired
by none other than patriotic motives, Bacon appealed at once from the irascible governor to the
people of Virginia, wvhom he called upon, by all
they held most dear, to meet in convention and
shake off the tyranny of Berkeley.
His summons was responded to with alacrity.
The ablest and best men in the province assem16



186         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1676.
bled at Middle Plantation —now Williamsburg.
Many excellent speeches were made, but those
of Bacon were superior to any. The whole convention promised, under the sanctity of an oath,
to support him in the war against the Indians,
and to make common cause with him, even against
troops from England, until such time as a correct
statement of affairs could be laid before the king.
Berkeley now retreated across the bay to Accomac county, accompanied by Beverly, Ludwell, and a few other ultra loyalist partisans.
Here he succeeded in collecting, by profuse
promises of pay and plunder, a force of nearly
one thousand men. With this army, in two
ships and sixteen sloops, he sailed up the James
River, and on the 8th of September, 1676, encamped at Jamestown.
In the mean time, Bacon had not been idle.
Acting upon the advice of Drummond, Lawrence,
and other patriotic counsellors, the retreat of
Berkeley to the eastern shore was proclaimed
an abdication of his government, and writs were
issued by Bacon and four of his colleagues, calling upon the people to send delegates to a new
convention.
No act could have been more popular with the
great majority of the people. Even the women of
the province expressed their joy on this occasion.
Sarah Drummond, the wife of- the patriotic exgovernor of North Carolina, said, "4The child




1676.]       SARAH DRUMMOND.             187
that is unborn shall have cause to rejoice for the
good that will come by the rising of the country."
c4 If we overcome the governor, a greater power
from England will ruin us in return," said Ralph
Weldinge. Sarah Drummond smiled contemptuously.  Taking from the ground a small stick,
she broke it in two pieces as she replied, G" I fear
no more the power of England than a broken
straw."'
Always resolute  and cheerful, this noble
hearted woman animated the troops with a portion of her own enthusiasm; and in the midst
of increasing dangers, cried out hopefully, "4We
shall do well enough."
As soon as tidings were received that Berkeley again occupied Jamestown, and in force, swift
messengers were despatched throughout the province, calling upon the planters to arm in defence
of their liberties.  Drummond and Lawrence
immediately set out to join Bacon, who had just
disbanded his troops after a successful expedition
against the Pamunkey Indians.
A new force was speedily collected, and though
it was still inferior to that under Berkeley, Bacon
determined to march at once upon Jamestown.
In order to enable him to throw up his intrenchments without annoyance from the loyalists, Bacon despatched small parties of horse
to bring in from the neighbouring plantations the




188        HIISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1676.
wives of such gentlemen as had taken up arms
in support of the governor.  These he displayed
on the crest of his unfinished works; but when
the latter were completed, the ladies were removed beyond the reach of harm. Berkeley,
confident in his numbers, sallied out at once to
attack the patriots; but being repulsed with loss,
his followers deserted him in search of plunder,
and the old governor was compelled to embark
hastily on board his ships during the night, and
retreat down the river to Accomac.
The following morning Bacon entered Jamestown.  To prevent it from becoming a second
time a place of refuge for the loyalists, it was
determined in a council of war to lay the town in
ashes.  Drummond and Lawrence, the owners
of the best houses in the place, set the example,
by each putting fire to his own dwelling.
Jamestown being destroyed, even to the church,
the first that ever was in Virginia, Bacon marched against Colonel Brent, who was advancing
from Accomac at the head of a reinforcement of
twelve hundred men.  On the approach of the
little army of patriots, Brent was- deserted by
his troops, and hastily fell back from whence he
came; while Bacon, having revolutionized with
ease the entire western shore, made his preparations to cross the bay, and subject the only small
strip of territory which yet acknowledged the
authority of Berkeley.




1676.]       DEATH OF BACON.              189'But the malaria of the marshes around Jamestown was more fatal to the cause of the young
patriot general than the arms of the aristocratic
Cavaliers. He was attacked by a malignant fever
caught by sleeping in the trenches, and on the
1st of October he died.
With the loss of Bacon ended'the hopes of the
patriots. The new leader, Ingram, did not possess either the talent or the popularity of his
former chief.  Berkeley exerted himself with
renewed activity; and having entire possession
of the naval force of the province, was soon
enabled to attack separate detachments of the
patriots, and beat them in detail.
Thomas Hans-ford, a native of the colony, was
the first partisan officer that was taken prisoner.
Young, gay, reckless, with a keen sense of honour,
and a sincere love for his country, his fate was
regarded with the greatest commiseration. After
his sentence had been announced to him, he asked
no favour of the governor but that he "h might
be shot like a soldier, and not hanged like a
dog.":Berkeley replied vindictively, "6You die
not as a soldier, but as a rebel!"
Turning to the assembled crowd, as he approached the gibbet, Hansford - said: "sTake
notice, I die a loyal subject, and a lover of my
country."'
Two other partisan leaders, Cheeseman and
Wilford, were captured shortly after, upon the




190         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1676.
York River.  Wilton was the son of a royalist
knight, who had died fighting for Charles I.
Alluding to the eye which he had lost in the late
skirmish, he said jocosely, c "If I was stark blind,
the governor would afford me a guide to the gallows. "; Why did you engage in Bacon's designs?"
demanded Berkeley, at the trial of Cheeseman.
", My provocations," said his wife, stepping
forward, cc made my husband join in the cause
for which Bacon contended; but for me he had
never done what he has done." Then falling on
her knees, she continued: "c Since what is done
was done by my means, I am most guilty; let
me be hanged, but let my husband be pardoned."
"c Away!" exclaimed Berkeley, adding, in the
fierceness of his passion, a term of reproach that
sullied the lips which uttered it.
When Drummond was brought in a prisoner,
Berkeley made him a profound bow. c4 You are
very welcome," said he;," I am more glad to see
you than any man in Virginia; you shall be
hanged in half an hour." In three hours he
was dead.
Berkeley's thirst for blood increased with the
means of gratification. Twenty-two persons were
hanged in spite of remonstrances and intercessions.
"' The old fool," said Charles II., " has taken




1676.]         DEATH  OF BERKELEY.                191
away more lives in that naked country, than I
for the murder of my father."
The commissioners who had been sent over by
the king to inquire into the origin of the disturbances censured the conduct of Berkeley.  The
English people expressed in loud terms their detestation of his sanguinary measures; and Berkeley, who had returned to England with the vessel
which had borne the commissioners to Virginia,
took the public reprobation so much to heart,
that he sickened and died almost immediately
after his arrival in London.
CHAPTER XVI.
Jeffreys appointed governor-An attempt made to regulate the
Indian traffic-Political restrictions again enforced-Chicheley deputy-governor-Arrival of Lord Culpepper-Appointed
governor for life-His avaricious disposition-Defrauds the
troops-Returns to England-Administration of ChicheleyImpoverished condition of the province-Discontent of the
people —Return of Culpepper to Virginia- Compromises
with the planters of the northern neck-Embarks for Enggland-Lord Howard appointed governor-His meanness
and avarice-Transportation of prisoners for political offences
-Their reception in Virginia-Administration of Nicholson
-Project for a college-A  charter obtained-Andros appointed governor —His neatness and method-Is succeeded
by Nicholson.
UPON  Berkeley's embarkation  for England,
Herbert Jeffreys was appointed governor.  He
made soon after a treaty of peace with the In



192         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1677.
dians.  In October, 1677, a new assembly was
convened, which attempted to regulate the future
traffic with the Indians, by limiting it to certain
fixed places, at which the traders and the savages
were to meet semi-annually.
But these regulations were soon violated by
the Indians, who conceived that the treaty of
peace remained imperfect while they were restricted in their mode of dealing. After an ineffectual attempt to systematize the traffic according to the law, the rules were abandoned as
impracticable.
The death of Bacon was peculiarly unfortunate for Virginia in many respects. The liberal
opinions he had encouraged and sustained found
no open advocacy after the terrible punishment
awarded by Berkeley to the prominent prisoners
who had fallen into his hands. The right to
define the form  of government was taken from
the people, and assumed by the crown. The assemblies were thenceforth to be called only once
in two years, and the session was limited to
fourteen days. The old restriction upon the
franchise was restored under an order from the
king, which directed that freeholders alone should
be entitled to elect the members of assembly.
All the old grievances returned, many of them
in an aggravated shape, and the aristocratic
faction were once more in full possession of their
former supremacy.




1680.]        LORD CULPEPPER,             193
On the death of Jeffreys, which took place in
December, 1678, Sir Henry Chicheley, who had
been deputy-governor under Berkeley, produced
his old commission, and his authority was acknowledged by the council until a new governor
should arrive from England.
In April, 1679, the assembly met at Middle
Plantation, and ordered forts to be built and
garrisoned on the Rappahannock, the Matapony,
the Potomac, and James Rivers.
In the spring of 1680, Lord Culpepper arrived
in Virginia. He had obtained from the facile
Charles, besides the  immnense tract of land
lying between the Potomac and the Rappahannock, an appointment as governor of Virginia for
life.  An assembly was convened in June, and
three acts, already passed and ratified in England, were offered to the burgesses for their acceptance.  The first, and most grateful to their
feelings, was an act granting general pardon and
oblivion for all transgressions and outrages comnmitted in the time of Bacon's rebellion.  The
second, took the power to naturalize foreigners
out of the hands of the assembly and placed
it in those of the governor.  The third, of a
far more grievous character, was also accepted,
though not without encountering severe opposition, for it authorized a perpetual export duty of
two shillings on every hogshead of tobacco, and
granted the proceeds as a royal revenue for the
17




194         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA,.-.     [1680.
support of the government, to be accounted for,
not to the assembly, but to the king.
Lord Culpepper was less evil disposed, politically, toward the colonists, than avaricious to
make the most he could out of them in the shortest possible space of time.
In consideration of his being a peer, he obtained of the king a salary of two thousand a
year as governor of Virginia, instead of one
thousand as previously allowed. I-e also received
one hundred and fifty pounds a year for house
rent, in addition to the usual perquisites.
The latter, Culpepper took especial pains to
increase in every possible way.  It had been
customary previously, for all masters of vessels
trading to Virginia, to make certain presents of
liquors and provisions toward the governor's
housekeeping.  These presents Culpepper remitted, and received instead, as a duty, twenty
shillings on every vessel of less than a hundred
tons, and thirty shillings for all over that burthen.  The amount being ordered to be paid
regularly at each clearance of the ship.
Culpepper had other schemes also for raising
money. The standard of value being higher in
the neighbouring colonies than in Virginia, he
proposed to the assembly to raise it to an equality
with others. The assembly consented, and were
about to pass a law for that purpose, when his
lordship stopped them, and told them  as it was




1680.]  RAPACITY OF THE GOVERNOR.    195
a part of the king's prerogative, it would be better for himself as governor to effect the change
by proclamation.
The money for the payment of the regiment
of soldiers sent over during Bacon's rebellion
passing through Culpepper's hands, he had
bought up, at a reduced price, light pieces of
eight-a silver coin approximating in value to
the modern dollar. IHe now issued a proclamation
for raising the value of pieces of eight fromn five
to six shillings.  As soon as the coin passed current at the new rate, he produced an order for
the payment and disbanding of the troops; but
when his own salary and perquisites were about
to be paid in coin at the same high estimate,
Culpepper again made use of his prerogative to
ieduce the value-of money to its former standard.
In less than a year he returned to England,
leaving Sir Henry Chicheley deputy-governor.
The rapacity of Culpepper, and the pursuance
of a similar system  of extortion by Chicheley,
so impoverished the province, that the planters
were only restrained with great difficulty from
breaking out into open revolt.  Had not the
disastrous issue of Bacon's rebellion, and the
sanguinary excesses committed afterward, taught
them the prudence of curbing their resentment, there is no doubt that a serious insurrection would have arisen out of the oppressed
condition of the province. As it was, disturb



196         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1683.
ances were continually occurring, which kept
Chicheley and his council in constant alarm.
These were not wholly quieted until Culpepper
again reached Virginia in 1682, and hanged, in
a summary manner, a few of the most prominent
offenders.
The design of Culpepper in returning to a
country which was distasteful to him as a place
of residence, was for the purpose of reviving his
claim to the northern neck.  In this object he
was so far successful as to compel the planters to
negotiate a compromise.
in iMay, 1683, he again embarked for England;
and the council, soon after, taking into consideration the impoverished condition of Virginia, petitioned the king to recall his grant to Arlington
and Culpepper.
The petition was success-ful.  Arlington surrendered his rights; the patent to Culpepper was
annulled by process of law; and, in July 1684,
Virginia again became a royal province, of which
Lord Howard of [Effngham was appointed governor.
The new governor was soon found to be as
avaricious of money as his predecessors.  He
required a license to be taken out by all schoolnmasters and members of the bar.  He extorted
excessive fees for putting the ofiial seal to probates of wills and letters of administration, even
where the estates of the deceased were of the




1685.]    LETTER TO THE COUNCIL.          197
meanest value.  He even descended so low as to
share the perquisites of office with his clerks.
In 1685, James II. ascended the English
throne. The rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth, a natural son of the late king, took place
soon after.  When the bloody executions which
followed its suppression were in a measure checked, many of the unfortunate prisoners who had
escaped with their lives, were condemned to be
transported to the colonies, for terms of years
never less than ten, where they were sold to the
planters as servants.
The demand for labour was at this time so
great in the plantations, that the convicts and
labourers shipped from abroad were purchased at
from ten to fifteen pounds each. Of those transported by the sanguinary Jeffreys for their participation in AMonmouth's rebellion, many were
gentlemen by birth and education. Against such,
James was excessively severe.  Under the countersign of his minister Sunderland, he wrote to
the governor and council of Virginia: c"Take
all care -that they shall serve for ten years at
least; and that they be not permitted to redeem
themselves, by money or otherwise, until that
term be fully expired. Prepare a bill for the
assembly of our colony, with such clauses as
shall be requisite for this purpose."
But the Virginia assembly were not inclined to
follow the dictation of the king. No bill was' 17-,



198         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1690.
passed. The exiles were received in the province
with that commiseration which their misfortunes
merited. Immediately after the accession of
William and lMary, in 1689, all those who had
been transported to the colonies for political
offences received a full pardon.
After the downfall of James II., Lord Howard
of Efingham returned to England, leaving the
duties of governor to Colonel Nathaniel Bacon.
The administration of Bacon was brief, and unmarked by any occurrence worthy of notice.  In
1690, Francis Nicholson, who had been appointed lieutenant-governor under Howard, reached
Virginia and immediately assumed the duties of
his office.
The business of Nicholson was to recommend
himself to the people of Virginia, and through
them  to the new government in England.  He
accordingly sought to ingratiate himself by patronizing sports and gamnes of various kinds,
and by awarding prizes to all who excelled
in the exercises of riding, running, shooting,
wrestling, and backsword.  A  project for a
college, which had been for some time in agitation, was warmly encouraged by the new governor.  He declined, nevertheless, to call an assembly for the purpose of taking the matter into
consideration, but acceded to a proposition for
a general subscription, to which he personally
contributed largely. His example was promptly




1692.]      SIR EDMUND ANDROS.           199
followed. Aided by the generous contributions
of several merchants in London, the sum raised
within the year, amounted to two thousand five
hundred pounds.
When the assembly was convened in 1691, it
entered heartily into the proposed scheme for a
college. An address in its favour was drawn up
and transmitted to England, and the Reverend
Mr. Blair sent out to obtain from the joint sovereigns, William  and Mary, a charter for the
same. The envoy was peculiarly successful in
his mission.  He obtained a charter such as the
people of the province desired.  Their majesties
also gave, toward the founding of the college,
the balance due on account of quitrents, amounting to nearly two thousand pounds sterling;
while toward its endowment, they allowed twenty
thousand acres of choice land, together with the
revenue arising from tobacco exported from Virginia and Maryland to the other plantations.
In 1692, Nicholson was succeeded as governorin-chief by Sir Edmund Andros.  During the six
years the latter remained in office, many reforms
were introduced by him from which the colony
received considerable benefit. Andros was one
of the most methodical of men, and through his
nice sense of neatness and order, the office of the
provincial secretary underwent an entire revision.  Important documents had hitherto been
thrust negligently into the first vacant space that




200         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1698.
offered.  Many original patents, records, and
deeds, with other papers of importance, had been
scattered loosely about the office until they were
partly eaten by the moths, or otherwise soiled
and mutilated. These irregularities were speedily
reformed. The governor caused the loose and
torn records of value to be transcribed into new
books, and ordered shelves and closets to' be constructed for their better preservation in future.
Hie had scarcely ceased to congratulate himself
upon the completion of his labours, when the
State House took fire in the month of October,
1698, and was burned to the ground.  Notwithstanding this calamity, and in despite of' the
brief period yet remaining before his term  of
office expired, thee governor caused all the records and papers saved from the fire to be properly arranged and registered, and in this excellent condition turned them  over to Nicholson,
who had been appointed his successor.




1698.]              A NEW  CITY.                   201
CHAPTER XVII.
Administration of Nicholson-Williamsburg founded-Dissenters tolerated by statute —Enormous power of the governorModes of its restriction-Bold project of De Callier, Governor of Montreal-How defeated-English scheme of general
defence for the colonies-Virginia refuses her quota —Nicholson's letter in consequence —Loses his popularity-Political
discontent —Nicholson removed —The office of Governor of
Virginia granted as a sinecure to the Earl of Orkney-Edward Nott appointed deputy governo -Revised code of
Virginia-Prominent provisions-Jennings president of the
council —Succeeds Nott-Colonel Spotswood appointed
depu-ty-governor-Crosses the Blue Ridge-Is knighted —Is
succeeded by Hugh Drysdale-Death of Drysdale-Accession
of Brigadier-general Goocho
THE  administration  of Nicholson, though extending from  1698 to 1705, was comparatively
quiet and uneventful. The first object to which
he turned his attention, was to obtain from  the
assembly the passage of an act to build  a new
city which should constitute in future the capital
of the province, instead of the unfortunate and
insalubrious Jamestown.
Middle Plantation, where the new college buildings had already been erected, had been found
by constant experience to be healthy and agreeable to the constitutions of the inhabitants of the
colony, having the natural advantages of a serene
and temperate air, and a fine open country, well
watered with springs. It likewise possessed the




202         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1698.
additional convenience of two navigable creeks
running out of James and York rivers. Two
hundred and twenty acres of the tract were accordingly purchased for the use of the colony, and
laid out in half-acre lots.  The streets of the new
city, in evidence of the loyalty of the colonists,
were arranged in the form of a cipher, made of the
letters W and  t[, in honour of William and M ary,
and the name given to the future capital was
Williamsburg.
As a means of defraying the expenses of
building the State House, the tax previously
placed on liquor, and a new tax on servants and
slaves —not English —imported into the colony,
were appropriated to that purpose.
During the same session, a resolution was
passed for a complete revisal of the colonial
laws; In obedience to orders from England, the
-assembly also granted, by statute, the benefit of
the English toleration acts to dissenters.  This
was the beginning of religious freedom in Vir— inia.
But if the commands of the crown constrained
the Virginians to recognise the rights of nonconformists, the ancient political privileges of the
province were still withheld. From the period
of Bacon's rebellion the power of the governor
had increased.  4 He was lieutenant-general and
admiral, lord treasurer and chancellor, the chief
judge in all courts, president of the council, and




1698.]    POWER OF THE GOVERNOR.         203
bishop, or ordinary; so that the armed force, the
revenue, the interpretation of law, the administration of justice, the church-all were under his
control or guardianship."
Three restrictions upon the abuse of this
authority existed, in the instructions from abroad,
in the council, and in the vrote of the general
assembly; but as the instructions were not divulged, as the council were dependent upon the
chief magistrate for their seats and prospective
advancement, and  as the assembly not only
occupied a subordinate position, but lay under
the constant surveillance of the clerk-who held
his office from the governor-had the latter been
disposed to tyrannize, few would have been found
bold enough to censure his acts.
Great, however, as the power of the governor
really was, it was seldom exercised to the injury
of the people.  The latter had, indeed, by assenting to the establishment of a perpetual revenue,
crippled their means of resistance, but, as the
governor was often compelled to call upon the
burgesses for additional supplies, they claimed
the right of appointing a treasurer subject to
themselves only, and when this privilege was denied them by the crown, Virginia declined to contribute its quota to the defence of the colonies
against France.
Previous to 1692, the French governor of
Montreal, the Count De Callier, viewing with alarm




204         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1695.
the rapid growth of the English colonies, fornled
the daring project of separating the eastern provinces front those of the south, by the capture
of New York. This plan having been adopted
by the French government, a fleet was sent, in
September, 1692, to take possession of the bay
of New York, with orders to co-operate with a
land force which was to have marched from
Quebec by way of the Sorel river and Lake
Champlain.
This bold and well planned scheme, was however, rendered abortive by a sudden invasion of
Canada. The fierce and warlike tribes constituting the five nations, suddenly spread terror and
desolation throughout the French possessions, and
compelled the governor to employ-the force destined to operate upon New York, in guarding
weak points at home, or in waging ineffectual
battle against the wary and sanguinary savages.
To prevent the project of De Callier from
being carried into effect at some future day, the
English government, in 1695, devised a plan of
general defence, the charges of which were to be
borne by the respective provinces according to
the ratio of population.
To the great disappointment of Nicholson,
with whom the plan was a favourite, and in direct
opposition to orders from England, the Virginia
assembly unanimously refused to appropriate any
moneys for the purpose required, on the ground




1704.]  DIFFICULTIES OF NICIGOLSON.    205
that c no forts then in being, nor any others
that might be built in the province of New York,
could in the least avail in the defence or security
of Virginia, since either the French or the northern Indians might invade the colony, and not
come within a hundred miles of such forts."
Nicholson himself took this refusal by no means
placidly. He even wrote to the king, suggesting
that Virginia should be coerced into acquiescence.
The reply of William was but little suited to the
bustling and ardent character of his governor.
The monarch merely recommended that the matter should be again referred to the General Assembly.
This imprudent act on the part of their once
popular governor, brought Nicholson into collision, both with his council and the assembly.
Roused by the quarrel, the people were led to
examine, somewhat narrowly, the manner in which
they had lately been governed. They no sooner
made the discovery that other provinces were in
the enjoyment of greater privileges than themselves, than they grew dissatisfied, and demanded
to be placed on an equal political footing with the
most favoured of the colonies.
The difficulties of Governor Nicholson now
rapidly increased. His conduct in many instances
having been of a character that would not bear
close scrutiny, the council, which was composed
of the wealthiest men in the province, were at
18




206         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1705.
length able to make such representations as led
to his removal in 1705.
The office of Governor of Virginia was no sooner
declared vacant, than Anne, who had ascended
the English throne, bestowed it as a sinecure for
life upon the Earl of Orkney.  Subsequently,
during a period of nearly fifty years, the office
was held in this manner; the nominal governor
receiving three-fifths of the salary, or twelve hundred pounds sterling annually; the remaining
two-fifths, or eight hundred pounds, being paid
to a deputy-governor, by whom the duties were
actually performed.
The first deputy-governor under the new
arrangement was Edward Nott. During his brief
administration, a new digest of the laws of Virginia, which had been in preparation for several
years by a committee of the council and burgesses,
was reported to the assembly, and passed.
Many of the provisions of this code relate to
indented servants and slaves. All children were
declared to be bond or free according to the condition of their mothers. Negroes, mulattoes, and
Indians, were not allowed to purchase Christian
servants. Servants not indentured, if over nineteen, were to serve for five years; if under nineteen, then until the age of twenty-four.
Every male servant completing his time of
service, was entitled to receive, at his dismissal,
ten bushels of Indian corn, thirty shillings in




1710.]       COLONEL SPOTSWOOD.           207
money or goods, and one well-fixed musket or
fusee, of the value of twenty shillings at the least.
Every woman servant, on acquiring her freedom,
could claim fifteen bushels of Indian corn, and
forty shillings in money, or goods.
Each county was allowed two burgesses, and
Jamestown one, to be elected by the freeholders.
All properly qualified persons neglecting to vote.
were liable to a penalty of two hundred pounds
of tobacco.  The travelling expenses of the burgesses were graduated and defined. Those coming
by land, receiving one hundred and thirty pounds
of tobacco per day; while such as came by water, received one hundred and twenty pounds.
The twelve members of the council were to receive three hundred and fifty pounds sterling,
above sixteen hundred dollars, annually, to be
proportioned among them according to the time
of their attendance"' Such were the most important provisions of the revised code of 1705.
Governor Nott survived his appointment only
one year; in 1706 he died.  The deputy-governorship was then  given  to Brigadier-general
Hunter; but he being captured by the French on
his passage out, Edmund Jennings, president of
the council, continued for four years to perform
the duties of the office.
In 1710, Colonel Alexander Spotswood, an
officer of fine talents, urbane and conciliating in
his manners, yet active and enterprising, arrived




208         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1711.
in Virginia, bearing the commission of deputygovernor.
He had been but a short time in the province before he organized an expedition to cross
the Blue Ridge.  This was successfully accomplished.  Spotswood, gallantly attended by a
troop of horse, passed the mountains, which from
the time of Berkeley had presented a barrier to
the advance of the whites, and discovered the fine
valley lying beyond. Although this exploration
did not lead to any immediate result of importance, the service performed by Spotswood was
considered of sufficient consequence to entitle
him to the honour of knighthood.
The thirteen years during which the latter held
office as deputy-governor of Virginia, glided away
in almost unruffled political tranquillity.
In 1711 he wrote of his government, as being
"c in perfect peace and tranquillity, under a due
obedience to the royal authority, and a gentlemanly conformity to the Church of England."
Notwithstanding this hearty eulogy, Spotswood,
in the course of his official career, several times
found that councils could be stubborn, and assemblies refractory.  With one so desirous of promoting the best interests of the colony as the
gallant deputy governor, the differences which
occasionally arose between himself and his colleagues, were never either very important, or of
long continuance.  Explanations and concessions




1727.]         GENERAL GooCH.            209
soon restored them to a mutually good understanding, and the machinery of government again
worked easily and harmoniously.
In 1723, Spotswood was superseded in his office
by Hugh Drysdale. During the four following
years a general harmony and contentment prevailed throughout the province. In 1727 Drysdale died, sincerely lamented by the assembly as
a just and disinterested man. He was succeeded
by Brigadier-general Gooch, under whose prolonged administration, Virginia continued for
many years to enjoy profound peace and uninterrupted prosperity.
1841




210            HISTORY  OF VIRGINIA.            [1723.
CHAPTER XXVII.
The Eastern provinces-War of 1689 — French  territorial
clainms-Movements of Count Frontenac-Cocheco burned
by Casteno-Pemaquid taken by the Penobscot IndiansBurning of Schenectady-Massacre at Salem Falls —Capture
of the Casco Bay settlement-First American CongressUnsuccessful attempt upon Quebec-Acadie invaded by Sir
William Phipps-Expedition of Church-Villebon recaptures
Port Royal —York destroyed by the French —Wells successfully defended-Virginia votes five hundred pounds towards
the defence of New York-Frontenac ravages the territory
of the Five Nations-Success of D'Ibberville-Church ravages the French settlements-Burning of REaverhill and Andover-Peace of Ryswick-Plan of co-operation foi the colonies-French construct a line of posts from Canada to
Louisiana-Alarm of the English —Renewal of the warFrench and Indian excesses-Surprise of Deerfield-Expedition against Acadie-Haverhill burned —Port Royal taken
-Inglorious expedition of Sir loveden VWTalker.
BUT, while Virginia, nwith  some restrictions
upon h'er political freedom, had been for many
years in the enjoyment of profound  peace, the
colonies to the eastward were, during the same
period, the victims of several sanguinary episodes,
originating from  the revengeful character of the
Northern Indians, and the jealousy of the Canadian French.
The European war of 1689, necessarily involved in a contest those colonies of France and
England  which were contiguous to each other.
The French population of America was compara



1676.]       GROUNDS OF CLAIM.            211
tively small, being less than twelve thousand;
but the French claims upon the territory of the
North American continent were large, and quite
as just as claims founded upon discovery usually
are.  Over Canada, Hudson's Bay, and Newfoundland, the dominion of France had been
successfully asserted; while from the heroic explorations of La Salle, Marquette, and numerous
devoted missionaries, a claim had been set up to
one-half of Maine and Vermont, to more than
half of New York, to the whole valley of the
Mississippi, and to Texas as far as the Rio Bravo
del Norte. The claims of England rested upon
the original discovery of the continent by the
elder Cabot.  The French were not in possession
of any sea-coast or harbours, properly so called:
but had confined their plantations to the banks
of the two great rivers, the St. Lawrence and
the 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 inhabited by
the English.  Up to this period very few of the
latter had made settlements more than a hundred
miles distant from the coast, although in point
of numbers they were already, in comparisonr
with the French, as twenty to one.
No sooner did the existence of war between
France and England become known in Canada,
than Count Frontenac prepared for that memo



212         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.         [1690.
rable attempt upon New York, which was so
signally frustrated by a sudden irruption of the
Iroquois Indians, an irruption which carried
terror and desolation to the very gates of Montreal.
But if New York was thus unexpectedly saved
front the horrors of invasion, the eastern provinces
were less fortunate.  The Penacook warriors,
under the French leader Castine, fell suddenly
upon the defenceless village of Cocheco, during
the night of the twenty-seventh of June, 1689,
killed three and twenty persons, burned several
houses, and bore away through the wilderness
twenty-nine captives.  Incited by the Jesuit
Thury, the Penobscot Indians, to the number of
a hundred warriors, paddled silently towards
Pemaquid, another frontier English settlement,
murdered such labourers as were found in the
fields, assaulted the stockade fort, and, after an
obstinate defence of two days, compelled the
garrison to surrender themselves prisoners of war.
In the midst of the winter of 1690, a party of
one hundred and ten French and Indians marched
from Montreal, waded through snows and morasses for twenty-two days, and entered just
before midnight the unguarded village of Schenectady, a Dutch settlement on the Mohawk, set
the houses on fire, and then roused the inhabitants from their slumbers with the shrill and
fearful sound of the savage whoop.  Sixty were




16904]      FRENCI EXPEDITIONS.            213
massacred, of whom seventeen were children, and
ten Africans.
Towards the close of March, another French
war party, led by the inhuman Hertel, after
crossing the mountains and threading the forests
of New  Hampshire, attacked by surprise the
frontier village at Salmon Falls; killed most of
the male inhabitants, and carried off as prisoners
fifty-four persons, nearly all of whom were
women and children.   These -were burdened
with the spoils taken fromn their own homes.
One aged man the savages burned on the way by
a slow fire. M ary Ferguson, a girl of fifteen,
was scalped because she wept from fatigue; and
of two infants, one was dashed against a tree,
and the other thrown into the river, that their
wretched mothers, thus relieved of their precious
burdens, might not delay the rapid movement
of the victors.
While thus returning, laden with prisoners
and spoils, Hertel met a third detachment sent
out by Frontenac, and a junction of forces being
agreed upon, they proceeded to attack the fort
and settlement at Casco Bay.  A  part of the
garrison was decoyed into an ambuscade, and
cut off almost to a man. The remainder held
out until their palisades were about to be fired,
when they surrendered on terms as prisoners of
war.
This new and terrible mode of warfare, wherein




214         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1690.
Indian ferocity was guided by French skill and
enterprise, admonished the English colonies of
the necessity of joining together and making
common cause against the French Canadians,
and their barbarous allies.
Out of this necessity originated  the first
American Congress, which met at New York on
the first day of May, 11690.  Massachusetts had
taken the initiative by addressing circular letters
to all the colonies as far south as Maryland;
inviting them  to send commissioners to New
York, to agree upon some concerted plan of operations.  Delegates firom  Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York met accordingly, and
arrangements were entered into, by which, while
Massachusetts  despatched  a  fleet and  army
against Quebec by water, nine hundred men
from Connecticut and New York were to march
overland against Montreal.  Owing to the indefatigable exertions of Count Frontenac, and the
warlike alacrity of his savage allies, both these
expeditions terminated disastrously.  An enterprise previously undertaken by Massachusetts
had met with better success.  A  fleet of nine
small vessels, containing between seven and eight
hundred men, had been sent against Acadie, now
known as New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
The command of this fleet was entrusted to
Sir William  Phipps, who has made his name
famous in the history of America for his success



1691.]       FRONTIER WARFARE.            215
ful recovery of an immense treasure from  a
Spanish wreck, on the coast of St. Domingo.
Phipps conquered with great ease the French.
settlements in Acadie, and brought away with
him sufficient plunder to pay the whole expense
of the expedition.
In the mean time, Colonel Church, a provincial officer of great ability, marched against the
eastern Indians, destroyed their settlements on
the Androscoggin, and, for the sake of example,
put a number of his prisoners to death, not sparing even women or children.
The retaliation of the eastern tribes was immediate.  A frontier warfare was kept up incessantly during the whole of 1691.  Many of the
towns in Maine were abandoned entirely, and all
of them suffered more or less.
The French also were again in motion. Villebon, with one small vessel of war, retook Port
loyal, where Phipps had left a garrison, and
stimulated the fierce animosity of the eastern Indians by timely presents and frequent supplies
of arms and ammunition.  The village of York,
in Maine, was suddenly attacked by a party of
French and Indians, and suffered a loss of
seventy-five in killed, and an equal number carried off prisoners to Canada. The town of Wells
was more fortunate; the inhabitants being apprised in time of the coming danger, successfully




216         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1694.
encountered their enemies and beat them off with
loss.
The extensive frontier of New York offering
at all times great facilities to invasion from
Canada, five companies of regular troops were
sent from England, in 1694, to assist in its
defence, and a definite quota of men and money
required by the English government to be contributed by each province in case of urgent necessity.  The Indian war still continuing, a
council was held at Albany, in August 1694,
with the chiefs of the Five Nations, for the purpose of securing the latter from the insidious influence of the French. Deputies from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey,
were present at this council. In 1695, the assembly of Virginia reluctantly voted five hundred
pounds sterling toward the defence of New York;
but requested of the crown to be excused from
making any further grants.  The aversion of the
middle and southern provinces to advance their
quotas for the conduct of the war, caused it to
languish on the part of the English, who thereby
gave the energetic French governor an opportunity to ravage the territory of the Onondagos
and Oneidas, always the faithful allies of the
English, by which they were compelled to sue for
peace.
D'Ibberville, who had previously distinguished
himself by a descent upon the English settle



1697.]             PEACE.                217
ments at Hudson's Bay, captured the Massachusetts fort at Pemaquid, and broke up entirely
the plantations at that neighbourhood.  He next
proceeded to Newfoundland, where he took the
fort of St. John's, and captured several inferior
posts scattered over that Island. From thence
he proceeded to Hudson's Bay, where he recaptured a fort previously taken by the English, and
made prizes of two English vessels.
The veteran Church retaliated by leading an
expedition against the French settlements on the
bay of Fundy. He succeeded in driving the inhabitants from Beau Bassin, in burning their
houses, and in destroying their cattle; but he
failed in his attempt to recapture the fort of St.
John's, Newfoundland.
Flushed with the successes of the French, their
savage allies, during the winter of 1697, penetrated to within twenty-five miles of Boston, and
made successful assaults upon the towns of Haverhill and Andover, murdering many of the
inhabitants, and leading others prisoners into
Canada.
The treaty of peace between England and
France, which was signed at Ryswick, in September, 1697, at length put an end to the war that
had so long desolated the colonial frontiers,
while it gave to each nation, possession of all the
places respectively held at the commencement of
hostilities.
19




218         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1697.
The terrible struggle through which the more.exposed colonies had passed, naturally urged the
adoption for the future of some system of co-operation by which all the colonies should contribute
proportionately toward the  common  defence.
The Board of Trade-which had recently been
organized in London for the purpose of supervising colonial affairs-suggested the propriety of
commissioning a captain-general for the colonies,
who should receive his appointment from  the
king, and be vested with full powers to call out
and command, the colonial militia. A counterproject, proposed by William Penn, though laid
aside soon after, with the-less popular plan of the
Board of Trade, is peculiarly interesting as being
in substance similar to the one adopted by the
colonies, when, at a subsequent period, they determined to resist taxation by the English government. Penn proposed a Colonial Congress
of twenty members,, to be chosen annually by the
assemblies, with a president to be named by the
king, the Congress to be empowered during war
to provide for the common defence, and in peace,
to regulate commerce and adjust colonial disputes.
No sooner was the peace of Ryswick proclaimed, than the French turned their attention to
securing, by garrisons, their claims to that vast
territory which had been so hardily explored by
La Salle and the adventurous missionaries; and
in a short time a line of fortified posts was ex



1705.]              WAR.                  219
tended between the Gulf of St. Lawrence and
the Gulf of Mexico.  These territorial pretensions were not viewed, either in England or the
colonies, without jealousy and alarm.  The establishment of a fort by D'Ibberville, at the head
of the Bay of Biloxi, in Louisiana, led to a memorial from Coxe, one of the proprietors of New
Jersey, to the English king, praying that the settlement on the banks of the Mississippi might be
encouraged.
So acceptable was the substance of this petition, that on its presentation William of Orange
declared to his council, he s would leap over
twenty stumbling-blocks rather than not effect
it."
In 1701, war again broke out. It originated
with the accession of a member of the Bourbon
family to the throne of Spain.  England had,
therefore, on this occasion two nations opposed
to her, and the southern provinces were now to
be assailed by the Spaniards in Florida, While
the French, of Canada and Acadie, continued
their depredations on the eastern frontiers. An
unsuccessful attempt made by Moore, the governor of South Carolina, against the Spanish town
of St. Augustine, was the comlmencement of hostilities in that quarter.  A new expedition took
place in 1705, against the Spanish Indian settlements of the Apalachees. The villages were
plundered, the churches robbed and burned, and




220         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1707.
the Indians, to the number of two thousand,
removed to the banks of the Alatamaha.
In the meanwhile, the French were already
desolating the frontiers of New England.  On
the 10th of August, 1703, detached parties of
French and Indians assaulted, simultaneously,
every settlement between Casco and Wells;
sparing in their barbarous warfare, neither age
nor infancy.  In March, 1704, two hundred Canadians, and one hundred and fifty Indians, led
by Hertelle de Rouville, marched over the snow
from Canada, and fell suddenly upon the picketed
village of Deersfield, then the northwestern frontier town of New England.  In the early gray of
morning, just as the sentinels had retired, they
entered the palisades, rendered useless by the
drifted snow, and raising the war-whoop, set the
village in flames.  But few of the inhabitants
escaped, forty-seven were killed, and upwards of
one hundred others, including the minister and
his family, were taken captives. Then commenced, through that bitter wintry weather, the
long, weary march to Canada.  Two of the prisoners died of starvation by the way; while weak
women and sorrowing children met their death by
the tomahawk.  A desultory warfare succeeded,
and Massachusetts called upon the neighbouring
colonies for assistance.  A brief truce followed;
but in 1707 the war was renewed.  Another
descent -upon Acadie being determined on, a thou



1710.]          INDIAN WAR.              221
sand men under Colonel March, sailed for Port
Royal, and, supported by an English frigate,
entered the river and landed before the town.
This unfortunate settlement was again entirely
destroyed; the houses were burned, the cattle
killed, and the corn drowned by making openings
in the embankments which protected the rich flats
from the encroachments of the river. Being unprovided with heavy artillery, March retired to
his vessels without attempting to assault the fort.
In retaliation for this foray, Hertelle de louville entered the valley of the Merrimac, and
attacked Haverhill, the frontier settlement on that
river. Assisted by his Indian allies, he plundered
and burned the town, slew between forty and fifty
of the inhabitants, led off as many more into captivity, and, though hotly pursued, succeeded in
reaching Canada with the greater portion of his
prisoners.
In 1710, Port Royal was again made the object
of attack. Five hundred warriors and four regiments of militia from New England, under the
command of Nicholson, the former governor of
Virginia, sailed to attack the fort which March
had not the means of assaulting with success. It
was an easy conquest.  The French garrison,
feeble and mutinous, surrendered upon terms.
Vetch, the second in command, was left with four
hundred men to garrison the fort, which was soon
after besieged by the Acadiens and Indians.
19*




222        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1711.
The following year, the English government
fitted out a large fleet and army for the conquest
of Canada. The command of this fleet, which
consisted of fifteen ships of war, and forty transports, was given to Sir lHoveden Walker. Brigadier-general Masham was appointed to lead the
troops, which comprised seven veteran regiments,
and a battalion of marines.  Through the incapacity of the admiral, this expedition-which was
destined to attack Quebec, while a land force
from Albany assaulted Montreal-ended in a
most disastrous failure.  On the 22d of August,
eight of the vessels were wrecked in a fog among
the Egg Islands of the St. Lawrence, and eight
hundred and eighty-four men were drowned. Congratulating himself that, by this loss, he had been
saved -from venturing to Quebec, where the lives
of many others might have been seriously jeopardized, Walker ordered the remaining vessels to
put back; and in this shameful and inglorious
manner ended an expedition, from which the most
splendid results had been confidently anticipated.




1.713.]         TREATY OF UTRECHT.                  223
CHAPTER XITX.
Treaty of Utrecht-Population of the Colonies-Absence of
towns in Virginia-Crown Point taken possession of by the
French-Communication between Canada and LouisianaFirst newspaper in Virginia-War with Spain-Disastrous
expedition to Carthagena-War wTith France —Capture of
Louisburg —Treaty of Aix la Chapelle-Progress of Virginia
-Religious intolerance-Capitol at Williamsburg burnedClose of Gooch's administration-Evidences of affectionate
regard —Character of Gooch —Ohio Company —French claims
— Opposite claims of the British-Brownsville foundedFrench posts estal)lished in the vicinity of the Ohio-Orders
from England —Dinwiddie appointed Governor of VirginiaHlis purchase from the Indians —Back settlements of Virginia
threatened by the French —A messenger despatched by Dinwiddie to ascertain their intentions-Virginia instructed to
build two forts on the Olio —George WVashington-His early
life and character.
THE treaty of Utrecht in 1713, put an end to
the second intercolonial war. On the battle fields
of Europe, England  had  covered herself with
glory, humbled the pride of the haughty Louis,
and added fifty millions of pounds sterling to her
national debt.  Under the terms of the treaty,
France ceded to England the territory of Hudson's Bay, the whole  of New  Foundland  and
Acadie, and the F'rench part of the Island of St.
Kitts, in the West Indies.
But, however distressing the second intercolonial war may have been to those families which




224        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      L1731.
settled the frontier towns, it had not checked in
any considerable degree the increase of population. In 1715, the table compiled for the use of
the Board of Trade, exhibited the whole population of the twelve colonies as four hundred and
thirty-four thousand and six hundred. Virginia
alone contained ninety-five thousand inhabitants,
and yet there was not at this time, nor for many
years after, any collection of houses in the whole
province worthy to be dignified with the name of
a town. In 1728, Norfolk was but a small
commercial village, while Richmond was not
founded until 1742, and at the commencement
of the Revolution contained but a few straggling
houses.
In 1729, two years after Gooch was appointed
Governor of Virginia, a printing press was brought
into the province, and in 1735, the first newspaper ever published in Virginia, was issued at
Williamsburg.
No further interruption of consequence was
experienced by the colonists until the year 1731,
when the French sailed up Lake Champlain, and
took possession of Crown Point, within one hundred miles of Albany. New York immediately
sent a notice of this daring encroachment to the
neighbouring states, and requested aid from England. But Walpole was resolutely bent on preserving peace, and the French were allowed to
establish the new settlement without molestation.




1740.]        WAR WITH SPAIN.            225
The building of a fort at Niagara was regarded
with an equal indifference.
As yet no French traders had approached the
back settlements of Pennsylvania or Virginia.
The easy communication existing between Lake
Erie and the head waters of the Ohio appears at
this time to have been unknown, the Wabash
being regarded by the French as the main stream,
to which the Ohio was but a tributary. Owing
to an imperfect geographical knowledge of
that region, the connection between  Canada
and Louisiana was kept up by the distant routes
of Green Bay and Wisconsin, and subsequently,
by way of the Maumee and the WVabash. When,
however, the true character of the Ohio river becarne known, the facilities by which its waters
could be reached front Lake Erie, tempted the
French to fortify a post upon its banks, and by
this means brought them into collision for the
first time with the Virginians. This did not happen, however, until some years later. As yet,
the vast region lying between the Ohio river and
the great lakes remained a terra incognita to both
nations.
In 1740, England having been forced into a
war with Spain, all the North American colonies
were called upon to aid in raising a regiment of
thirty-five hundred men. The Assembly of Virginia responded to the call by increasing the duty
on imported slaves to ten per cent., and by imp




226         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1740.
pressing the men of her quota from among the
able-bodied idlers of the province.
The American levies were taken on board the
fleet of Admiral Vernon, who sailed soon after
from Jamaica to the assault of Carthagena, the
strongest place in Spanish America.  The result
was melancholy in the extreme.
The attack, owing to differences between the
military  and naval commanders, was badly
planned, and worse conducted.  Some of the
fortresses were taken, but that of San Lazaro,
which commanded the town, was successfully defended by the Spaniards. The rainy season
setting in soon after, the soldiers died by thousands, of the yellow fever. Vernon destroyed the
fortifications, and retired to Jamaica. His entire
losses were estimated at twenty thousand men.
Of the troops furnished by the colonies, which,
including five hundred additional men subsequently furnished by Massachusetts, amounted to
four thousand, only four hundred returned to their
homes.
The Spaniards thus triumphantly freed from
an expedition, the magnitude of which had been
a well grounded source of alarm, now retaliated
by precipitating a large force upon the infant
province of Georgia. By the signal ability of
General Oglethorpe the invaders were repulsed,
and after failing in their attack on Frederica,




1744.]    CAPTURE OF LOUISBURG.           227
they hurriedly re-embarked on board their vessels, and returned to Cuba.
The war with France against Austria, speedily
involved England, as the ally of the latter. In
1744, France again declared war with England.
The first intimation received by the colonies of
the recommencement of hostilities in North America, was the capture of Fort Canso, in Nova
Scotia, by a party of Canadians. At the same
time the Indians began to lay desolate the frontiers of Maine.
Shirley, the Governor of Massachusetts, immediately bestirred himself.  The legislature of
the province determined by a majority of one vote
to attempt the capture of Louisburg, the strongest fortress north of the Gulf of Mexico.  New
York and Pennsylvania sent supplies of artillery
and provisions. The Nevw England provinces furnished the necessary troops. Assisted by the
British squadron, under Commodore Warren, the
forces from New England, after a siege of six
weeks, compelled the garrison to capitulate, and
the inhabitants of Cape Breton immediately acknowledged allegiance to England.
The news of this important success was rapidly
conveyed by expresses to the governors of the
various English colonies. Virginia at once generously threw open her ports for the purposes of
trade, free of all duty, to vessels sailing from the
newly acquired island of Cape Breton, and the




228        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1748.
governor despatched to Louisburg, for the use of
the garrison, provisions to the value of two thousand pounds.
But the war which had been thus recommenced,
was carried on languidly by both nations, and in
America had only affected the extreme frontiers,
when it was brought to a close in 1748, by the
treaty of Aix la Chapelle.
Four years previous to this, while the New
England provinces were preparing for the expedition to Louisburg, Virginia was extending her
borders by a treaty with deputies from the Six
Nations. For about four hundred pounds, a deed
was obtained from the chiefs of the Iroquois, to
all the territory beyond the mountains, that was
then, or should be hereafter considered by the
King of England as belonging to the colony of
Virginia.
Subject to none of those hostile invasions by
which the peace of the extreme north and south
had been so often disturbed, the population of
Virginia continued steadily to increase, until at
length her settlements extended beyond the mountains west of the blue ridge.
The attachment of the Virginians to the doctrines of the Church of England had frequently
rendered them intolerant of the religious tenets
of others. Even the mild, gentlemanly, and exemplary Gooch, was not free from this narrow
spirit. In his address to the grand jury in April,




1746.]    BURNING OF THE CAPITOL.        229
1745, he recommended to their attention certain
false teachers lately crept into the province, who,
without order or license, or producing any testimonial of their education, or sect, had ",led the
innocent and ignorant people into all kinds of
delusion."  How far the presentments of the
grand jury conformed to the spirit of this address
has not been Ascertained; but that the worthy,
though prejudiced governor, expressed the sentiments of a great majority of the Virginians of that
day, there does not exist the shadow of a doubt.
During the year following, the public buildings
at Williamsburg being reduced to ashes, the subject began to be agitated of removing the seat of
government to some point more advantageously
situated in the heart, rather than near the extrenity of the province.
The members of the Assembly entered warmly
upon the subject of removal, and in a speech to
the governor eulogized the foundation of a new
central city in the most glowing terms. ", To lay
the foundation of a new city," said they, "rto
raise a capitol in a place commodiously situated
for navigation, will complete the glory of your
administration, and transmit your name with the
highest lustre to future ages. With what pleasure
may we then extend our view through future
centuries, and anticipate the happiness provided
for posterity."
This very respectful, but somewhat inflated lan20




230         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.     [1749.
guage, had no effect on the old governor. The best
houses in Williamsburg were owned by himself,
by the members of his council, and by gentlemen
of importance in the colony. This property would
necessarily diminish in value by the proposed
change. The influence of the college, and that
of other officers of government, was also thrown
into the scale of opposition, so that Williamsburg,
notwithstanding many wordy altercations, remained the capital of the province up to the
period of the Revolutionary war.
In 1749, the administration of Gooch, which for
upwards of twenty-two years had been of the most
courteous character, was terminated by his departure for England. The sixth and last colonial
revisal of the Virginia code took place only a
short time previous to his leaving the province.
When Governor Gooch was about to set sail,
he was honoured by the president and council
with an address significant of their profound appreciation of the many blessings they had enjoyed
under his wise and benificent government, and
their sincere respect for his public and private
virtues. The collegiate authorities of William
and Mary, and the municipality of Williamsburg
expressed a similar sense of his merits, and the
good- old governor finally embarked amidst the
tears and benedictions of the people, among whom
he had lived so long, and over whom he had ex



1750.]       THE OHIO COMPANY.            231
ercised a sway that might justly be regarded as
paternal.
The courtesy of Governor Gooch has been
handed down to the present time in the shape of an
anecdote, which well illustrates the character of
a true gentleman. Having been reproached one
day for returning the salutation of a negro, Gooch
replied mildly, "s I should be much ashamed that
a negro should have better manners than Io" A
baronetcy was the reward of his long and faithful
services to a province whose people always spoke
of him with affection, and justly regarded him as
one of their warmest and most steadfast friends.
The government now devolved on Robinson,
the president of the council; but on his death a
few days afterward, Thomas Lee, as president,
succeeded to the administration.
During the brief deputy-governorship of Lee,
surveyors were permitted to measure and locate
lands on the other side of the mountains, provided they did not interfere with grants made to
the Ohio Company. Before November, 1750, the
period to which the Assembly stood prorogued,
Lee died, and was succeeded by Lewis Burwell.
The Ohio Company, of which mention has already been made, consisted of an association of
London merchants and Virginia land speculators.
This company had obtained in England, shortly
after the treaty of Aix ]a Chapelle, a grant of
six hundred thousand acres of land, on the east




232        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1752.
branch of the Ohio river, greatly to the indignation of the French, who claimed by right of discovery the entire region watered by the Mississippi and its tributaries.  The British opposed to
the claims of the French those of the Six Nations,
who asserted the territory to have become theirs
by right of conquest, and had already sold a
portion of it to Virginia under that title. The
French pointed to the numerous posts and garrisons, more than sixty in number, which they had
maintained on the lakes, the Mississippi, and the
Wabash, for a number of years.  Their title was
complete enough to the countriy on the upper
lakes, the Mississippi, the Illinois, and the Wabash, while to render it valid to the territory
immediately south of Lake Erie, the Count de la
Galisonniere, Governor-general of Canada, despatched an officer with three hundred men, to
spread themselves over the country lying between
Detroit and the Cumberland Mountains, to bury
at the most important points leaden plates, engraved with the arms of France, to take possession of the territory with a formal process verbal,
and to warn English traders out of the country.
In 1752, the Ohio Company built a trading
house and fort at Brownsville, on the Monongahela. This act gave great offence to the French,
who made a descent upon the Miami Indians,
settled at Sandusky, and burned their village because they persisted in trading with the English,




1752.]     HOSTILE INDICATION$.          233
Early in 1753, twelve hundred men from Montreal built a fort at Presque Isle, on the southern
shore of Lake Erie, and then, moving southward,
established posts on French Creek, and the main
stream of the Alleghany.
The Board of Trade reported these encroachments upon Pennsylvania and Virginia to the
king, and orders were immediately sent to the
colonial governors to repel force by force, whenever the French were found within the undoubted
limits of their provinces.
During the year 1752, Robert Dinwiddie, previously a member of the council, and surveyorgeneral of the colonial customs, succeeded Burwell as deputy-governor of Virginia. Conscious
that the movements of the French toward the
upper waters of the Ohio, seriously threatened
the back settlements of Virginia, Dinwiddie purchased from~ the Indians on the Monongahela
permission to build a fort at the junction of that
river with the Alleghany. Tidings reaching the
capital of Virginia soon after, that the French
were about to establish fortifications on the Ohio,
and that the Indian tribes in the surrounding
region exhibited symptoms of hostility, it was
thought necessary to send a messenger over the
mountains, with instructions to ascertain the temper and designs of the Indians, and to make himself acquainted with the movements and intentions of the French. The first messenger sent
20*




234         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1752.
out, failing to execute his mission perfectly, and
orders having, in the mean time, reached Governor Dinwiddie from England to build two forts on
the Ohio, for which artillery and ammunition had
been sent out, it was thought advisable to send
a commissioner in due form, and invested with
proper credentials, to confer with the officer in
command of the French forces; to ascertain under
what authority he was acting, and what were his
ulterior designs.  This delicate and dangerous
mission was entrusted to George Washington, the
eldest son of a widowed mother, a surveyor by
profession; and although at this time but twentyone years of age, already distinguished for his
judgment and capacity, and the purity of his
moral character.  Born on the old ancestral domain in Westmoreland county, he was removed
in infancy to the banks of the Rappahannock,
where he became an orphan in his eleventh year.
In 1743, his father, Augustine Washington, a
farmer in affluent circumstances, died, leaving a
competent provision for his widow and children.
Growing up thus under the care of his mother,
the youthful Washington, whose name was soon
to become a household word in the history of a
great nation, received only such common education as the indifferent schools of the neighbourhood at that time afforded. To read, to write,
and to cipher, composed the whole of his knowledge. To add to the means derived from his




1752.]          WASHINGTON.              235
paternal estate, he studied the lucrative profession
of a surveyor, and at the age of sixteen entered
upon its arduous and toilsome duties in the rich
valleys of the Alleghany mountains.
The careful accuracy with which these his earliest
surveys were made soon brought him into notice,
and established his reputation.  The following
year he received a commission as a public surveyor, and passed the three subsequent years among
the southern branches of the Potomac river, and
the spurs and ridges of the Alleghanies. In addition to this employment, he had been appointed,
at the age of nineteen, military inspector of one
of the districts into which the province was divided, with the rank of major; a commission
which must have been peculiarly gratifying to
one whose military predilections had always been
of the strongest character, and had hitherto only
been subdued by the force of prudential considerations.
It was while engaged in the performance of
the duties belonging to this office, that Major
Washington was selected by Dinwiddie to proceed
to the French posts in the vicinity of the Ohio.
His instructions were to travel without delay
to the Ohio river.  To halt at a place called
Logstown, and after convening some of the principal Indian chiefs of the vicinity, to learn where
the French were stationed, and obtain an escort
of warriors to that point.  On his arrival at the




236        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1753.
principal French post, he was to present his credentials, and demand an answer. He was also to
make secret inquiry into the number of French
troops, and the prospect of reinforcements from
Canada; what forts they had erected, how they
were garrisoned, and their distances from each
other.
Furnished with a passport, and these instructions, Washington left Williamsburg on the thirtyfirst of October, 1753.  The distance he had to
traverse was nearly six hundred miles, a great
part over lofty and rugged mountains, and more
than half of the way through wild forests, never
trodden before by any human feet but those of
the white hunter and the wandering savage.




1753 ]       WASHINGTON S MISSION.                237
CHAPTER XX.
Mission of Washington to the Ohio-Reaches Will's CreekHalts at the Forks of the Ohio-Holds a conference with Indians at Logstown-Delivers his letter and credentials to the
French commandant —His return-Is shot at by an IndianHis peril in crossing the Alleghany river-Arrives at Williamsburg-Increase of the provincial army-Washington
appointed lieutenant-colonel-Marclhes to Will's Creek-The
French drive off the troops at the Forks of the Ohio, and
build Fort Duquesne-Skirmish at Great Meadows —Death
of Jumonville, and capture of his party-Fort Necessity
erected-Invested by the French-The Virginians capitulate
on termas-Washington resigns his commission and retires to
private life-Arrival of General Braddock with troops from
England-Is joined by Washington as a volunteer-March
of the army-Crossing of the Alleghanies-Defeat of Braddock on the banks of the Mononlgahela-Death of Braddock
-Heroism  of the Virginia troops-Retreat of the army to
Cumberland.
ACCOMPANIED  by John Davidson, an Indian
interpreter, and Jacob Vanbraam, engaged in
consequence of his knowledge of the French language, Major Washington, travelling by way of
Fredericksburg, Alexandria,  and  Winchester,
reached Will's Creek in fourteen days. At this
point Fort Cumberland was subsequently erected.
Here he was joined by Mr. Gist, a person well
acquainted with the route to the Ohio river, who
consented to act as guide.  Four attendants, two
of whom  were Indian traders, were also added to
the party.
A.




238        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1753
From  the frontier station of Will's Creek,
Washington and his party passed over the Alleghanies, already covered with snow. The swollen
and turbulent streams that intercepted their way,
were crossed by means of rafts, or by swimming
their horses. When they reached the junction
of the Monongahela with the Alleghany, the
point at which Dinwiddie had, by purchase of the
Indians, obtained the right to build a fort, Washington narrowly examined the ground, and on his
return home reported to the governor his opinion
of its advantages as a military post. Upon his
recommendation a fort was subsequently commenced on the site then chosen, the walls of which
were- in the slow process of erection, when the
workmen were driven off by the advance of the
French.
Proceeding thence, on the main purpose of his
mission, to Logstown, twenty miles below the
forks of the Ohio, as the point of junction between
the Monongahela and the Alleghany was at that
time called, Washington held a conference with
some of the neighbouring Indian chiefs, and requested a guard of friendly warriors to the nearest French post. The principal sachem, Tanacharison, and four other Indians, finally agreed
to accompany him.
The headsquarters of the French commandant
were one hundred and twenty miles distant, but
at the nearer outpost of Venango, Washington




1753.]    WASHINGTON'S RETURN.           239
was treated with civility by Captain Joncaire,
and directed on his way, although many subtle
efforts were made to detach the Indians from his
service.
At the end of forty-one days from the time of his
leaving Williamsburg, Washington found himself
in the presence of M. de St. Pierre, the French
commandant, to whom he presented his commission, and the letter of Governor Dinwiddie. The
reply of the commandant was courteous but decided. In all that he had done, he said, having
acted under the instructions of the Marquis Du
Quesne, Governor of Canada, the summons to
retire could not be complied with.
His mission being thus fulfilled, Washington,
sending his horses overland, embarked with the
rest of his companions, in a canoe, and floated
down French Creek, through drifting ice, to the
outpost of Venango, a distance of one hundred
and thirty miles, which was accomplished with
difficulty in six days, they being at one time
obliged to avoid the packed ice, by carrying the
heavy canoe across a neck of land a quarter of a
mile over,
The embarrassment of the journey, owing to
the ruggedness of the way, and the inclemency
of the wintry weather, at length determined
Washington to proceed on foot, clad in an Indian
walking dress, and bearing on his back a knapsack containing his papers and food. Mr. Gist




240        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1753.
accompanied him, equipped in a similar manner.
On the south-east fork of Beaver Creek, tht
travellers met with an Indian, who called Gist
by his name, and who on being asked the nearest
route to the forks of the Alleghany, consented to
act as a guide. He relieved Major Washington
of his knapsack, and for eight or ten miles
travelled with them, when Washington, growing
weary and foot-sore, desired to encamp.  The
Indian then offered to carry his gun, but this
being prudently declined, he grew churlish, and
advised them to keep on until they reached his
cabin, as there were Ottowa Indians in the wood
who would' scalp them if they lay out.
With increasing distrust of their savage guide,
the travellers proceeded two miles further, when
Washington declared his determination to halt
at the next water.  As soon as they reached an
open clearing, the Indian paused suddenly,
turned about at a distance of fifteen paces, and
fired.  Fortunately, both Washington and his
companion remained unharmed.  Gist immediately took the treacherous savage prisoner, and
would have killed him, but for the humane interposition of Washington, who kept him a close
prisoner until nine o'clock that evening, and
then set him free. He had no sooner bounded
fairly out of sight than the travellers set a compass, and having fixed their course, walked briskly




1753.]     PERIL OF WASHINGTON.          241
all night to put themselves beyond reach of
pursuit.
The next afternoon, at dusk, they reached the
Alleghany, a, little above Shannopins. From
want of means to cross the river they were compelled to encamp on its banks, with no other
covering but their blankets to protect them from
the snow.
WThen the morning came, there was no way of
getting over but on a raft; which they set about
constructing, with but one poor hatchet, and
finished just after sunsetting.  This was a whole
day's work.  Launching the raft at once, they
stepped on board, and immediately pushed from
the shore. They had scarcely reached the middle of the river before they were jammed in the
ice, in such a manner that they expected every
moment the raft would sink.  To save themselves from this danger, Washington put out his
setting pole, and attempted to stop the raft
until the ice should pass by; but the rapidity of
the stream threw the raft with so much violence
against the pole, that he was jerked off into ten
feet water.  Fortunately, he saved himself by
catching hold of one of the raft logs. Notwithstanding all their efforts, they could not reach
either shore, but were compelled to desert their
raft, and take refuge on an island in the river.
On this  desolate spot, chilled, helpless, and
suffering dreadfully from frozen feet and hands,
21




242         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1754.
they passed the night. With the dawn of morning the prospect of escape opened. The ice in
the river had congealed sufficiently strong to bear
their weight, and passing over without accident,
they finally reached the trading post of a Mr.
Frazier, on the Monongahela. After remaining
there three days to recruit their strength, and
procure horses, they recrossed the Alleghanies
to Will's Creek. At this point Washington parted
with Mr. Gist, and continued his journey alone to
Williamsburg, where he arrived on the 16th of
January, 1754, after an absence of eleven weeks.
Dinwiddie immediately convened the assembly.
The report of Washington placing the intentions
of the French beyond  doubt, the burgesses
granted ten thousand pounds towards the defence
of the frontiers, but encroached upon the prerogative of the governor by appointing a committee to supervise the expenditure of the money.
Dinwiddie was excessively annoyed at the independent spirit displayed by the assembly on this
occasion. Writing subsequently to the Earl of
Holdernesse, he says, cc I am sorry to find them
very much in a republican way of thinking; and
indeed they do not act in a proper constitutional
way, but make encroachments on the prerogative
of the crown, to which some former governors
have submitted too much to them; and I fear,
without a very particular instruction, it will be
difficult to bring them to order."




1754.]   ADVANCE OF THE FRENCH.         243
The military force of Virginia was speedily increased to six hundred men. Of this regiment,
Joshua Fry was appointed colonel, and Washington lieutenant-colonel.  Three independent companies of colonial troops, in the pay of Great
Britain, and commanded by officers holding commissions from the crown, were ordered from New
York and South Carolina, to assist in the operations against the enemy; while North Carolina
voted twelve thousand pounds, and promised to
send a body of troops as early as they could be
enlisted.
During the early part of April, 1754, Washington, whose head-quarters had been at Alexandria, marched from that place with two companies-subsequently reinforced on his route by a
third-to Will's Creek, where he arrived on the
20th of the same month.
A party of forty-one men under Captain Trent,
had already been thrown forward to the forks
of the Ohio, where they commenced building the
fort which Washington had previously recommlended should be constructed at that place. The
latter had scarcely reached Will's Creek, before
he received intelligence that a body of French
troops, to the number of one thousand men, had
descended the river from Venango, with eighteen
pieces of cannon, sixty batteaux, and three hundred canoes, under the command of Captain Contrecceur; had taken forcible possession of the




244         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1754.
unfinished fort, dismissed the Virginia troops at
work upon it, and completing the works themselves, had called them Fort Duquesne, in honour
of the governor-general of Canada.
This was the first open act of hostility.  After
holding a council of war, Washington hastily
pressed forward with his detachment, in the hope
of being able to penetrate to the mouth of Red
Stone Creek, on the Monongahela, where he
designed erecting a fortification for the protection
of his troops, until the reinforcements he had sent
for should arrive.
At the passage of the Youghiogany, he was
warned by his old friend Tanacharison of the approach of a French detachment, the commander
of which had expressed a determination to attack
the first English they should meet. After throwing up an entrenchment at a place called the
Great Meadows, Washington sent forward a party
of soldiers, mounted on wagon horses, to reconnoitre; but they returned without having discovered traces of the enemy. Mr. Gist came in
soon after, and reported the presence of fifty
French soldiers at his settlement the day previous. At nine o'clock the same night another
express arrived from Tanacharison, stating that
the French detachment was near his camp, a distance of six miles from Great Meadows.
Taking with him forty men, Washington immediately marched to form a'junction with his




1754.]  SKIRMISH AT GREAT MEADOWS.   245
Indian allies. After having been baffled for six
hours by the narrowness of the trails, which were
continually being lost amidst the heavy blinding
rains and the darkness of the night, he reached
the Indian encampment on the 28th of May, a
little before sunrise. Upon consultation with Tanacharison and other chiefs, it was resolved to
march against the French at once. Two Indians
were accordingly sent forward to reconnoitre the
position of the enemy, who reported them as engaged in pitching their tents, about half a mile
from, the road, in a valley surrounded by rocks.
Arrangements were immediately made to attack
them on all sides. It was accomplished most
effectually. As soon as the Virginians were dis
covered, the French seized their pieces and
formed; but when they found themselves exposed
to a fire in front and rear, they threw down their
arms. In this brief skirmish the French sustained
a los of ten killed, one wounded, and twenty-one
taken prisoners. Only a single man escaped.
Among the killed was Jumonville, the commander
of the detachment. The principal officers taken,
were M. Drouillon and M. La Force, the latter
of whom Washington speaks of in his despatch as
"c a bold, enterprising man, and a person of great
subtlety and cunning."
The skirmish at Great Meadows, on account
of its occurring before war was formally declared
between England and France, created a great
21*




246        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1754.
sensation, especially in the latter country.  The
conduct of Washington was strongly censured.
The death of Jumonville was regarded at Paris in
the light of a ferocious murder. He was there
represented as a peaceful messenger, who had
been suddenly waylaid and assassinated, in a
manner contrary to all the rules of war established
among civilized nations.
The reply of Washington to these denunciations was brief, but pertinent.  " Instead of
coming in the public and open manner of ambassadors, the party of Jumonville came secretly;
they sought out the most hidden retreats, and
remained concealed whole days within five miles
of us. After sending out spies to reconnoitre our
position, they retreated two miles, from whence
they sent messengers to M. Contrecceur, with the
results of their reconnoisance."  The deserters
who subsequently joined the force under Washington, corroborated these statements.  They
asserted that Jumonville, though sent out ostensibly as the bearer of a summons warning the
English to retire beyond the Alleghanies, was in
reality engaged in the duties of a spy, having
orders to present his summons only in the event
of falling in with a superior party.
Having forwarded his prisoners, and being
strengthened by a reinforcement of troops, Washington, now elevated to the chief command by
the death of Colonel Fry, erected a stockade fort




1755.]           BRADDOCK.               247
at Great Meadows, to which he gave the name
of Fort Necessity. Leaving a garrison at this
point under charge of Captain Mackay, he pushed
on towards Fort Duquesne, but was soon obliged
to fall back before a superior force of the enemy.
He had scarcely returned to Fort Necessity before the imperfect works were invested by fifteen
hundred French and Indians, commanded by M.
de Villier. After a brief but spirited defence,
the fort was surrendered, on condition that the
garrison should be permitted to retire with their
arms and baggage. The following morning the
Virginians marched out of the fort, and bearing
the wounded on their backs, proceeded to Will's
Creek, where they assisted in building Fort Cumberland.
Changes in the organization of the army having been subsequently introduced by Governor
Dinwiddie, Washington resigned his commission,
and retired to private life.
Early in the spring of 1755, General Braddock
arrived in Virginia with two regiments of regulars, and encamped at Alexandria. This strong
force, aided by the colonial militia, was supposed
to be amply sufficient to drive the French across
the Canadian frontiers. At the urgent request of
Braddock, Colonel Washington consented to take
part in the campaign as a member of his military
family.
The army commenced its march soon after,




248         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1755.
reaching Winchester about the twentieth of April.
From  thence the troops marched by different
routes to Fort Cumberland, the extreme frontier
settlement. At this point they were reinforced
by one thousand Virginians. The inability of the
contractors to supply the necessary means of
transporting the provisions and artillery across
the mountains, occasioned great vexation to the
commanding general, and delayed for some time
the progress of the troops.  These embarrassments were at length overcome by the energy and
activity of Franklin, then postmaster-general for
the colonies.
On the 10th of June, the vanguard of the
army was once more in motion.  Having now to
encounter the steep rough ridges of the Alleghanies, over which a road had to be cut with great
labour for the wagons and artillery, the march
was slow and difficult in the extreme. Three
days were occupied in accomplishing but six of
the fifty miles which lay between Fort Cumberland and Redstone, on the Monongahela.  Conscious that if these delays continued, the season
would be consumed in crossing the mountains,
Braddock, acting upon the advice of Washington,
separated the army into two divisions, and leaving
Colonel Dunbar to bring up the heavy baggage,
pushed forward, in advance, at the head of twelve
hundred men lightly equipped.
A sickness, brought onl by fatigue of body and




1755.]   ATTACK ON FORT DUQUESNE.       249
mind, confined Washington to the rear division
for nearly two weeks. Anxious, however, to be
at his post before the army reached Fort Duquesne, he parted from the troops under Dunbar,
and, borne by short stages across the mountains,
overtook ]Braddock fifteen miles from Fort Duquesne, the evening before the battle of Monongahela.
The British general had been repeatedly
warned of the danger to which he was exposed
from the wild and rugged character of the country, and the peculiar method of savage warfare.
It was suggested to him to employ the three companies of provincials, forming part of the first
division, as rangers, to scour the country in advance of the army; but Braddock, wedded to a
system of European tactics, and despising alike
Frenchmen, provincials, and Indians, adhered to
arrangements which, however suitable they might
have been on the broad plains of Europe, were in
the last degree pedantic and mischievous among
the intricate forests of America. Early on the
morning of the ninth of July, 1755, the army
crossed the Monongahela, a little below the mouth
of the Youghiogany, and after marching till about
noon, forded the river a second time at a distance
of about ten miles from Fort Duquesne. When
they reached the northern bank of the Monongahela, three hundred men, commanded by Colonel'
Gaffe, were thrown forward, supported at a little




250        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.         [1755.
distance, by a party of two hundred, ordered to
act as a reserve. These latter were followed by
the main body, commanded by Braddock in person, which being encumbered with baggage and
artillery, moved but slowly.  The whole army
had scarcely left the bank of the river, before a
sharp firing was heard in front and on the left
flank, and the main body hastened up to the support of their companions. But before they could
succeed in doing this, the advanced parties fell
back successively in great confusion, and breaking through the main body, so thoroughly disorganized it, that no after efforts on the part
of the general and his officers could restore
them to order.  In this state, huddled together
in dense masses, firing panic stricken at the concealed enemy, and often shooting down their own
officers and men, the regulars remained for three
hours.  It was in vain that Braddock exerted
himself to form his men into platoons and columns. The Fivench and Indians, protected by
ravines and high bushes on each side of the road,
poured from their places of concealment a continuous fire, by which sixty officers and nearly
seven hundred men, or one-half of the whole force
engaged, were either killed or wounded. Braddock himself had five horses shot under him, and
fell soon after wounded mortally. His two aids
had already been borne disabled from the field.
The regulars now gave way on all sides, and the




1755.]      BRADDOCK'S DEFEAT.           251
flight soon became a perfect rout.  The Virginia
troops alone, by takling to the trees and fighting
after the Indian manner, behaved with a courage
and coolness worthy of their old reputation.
Washington, still feeble from his recent illness,
placed himself at their head, and covered for a,
time the disorderly retreat of the regulars.  At
length the brave provincials were cut to pieces.
Of three companies which were in the action,
only thirty men escaped.  Washington, though
always in the thickest of the fight, miraculously
escaped unharmed, though he had two horses shot
under him, and four bullets had pierced his
clothes.
So thoroughly disorganized were the fugitive
regulars, that it was found impossible to rally
them  until they reached the rear division under
Dunbar.  On the 13th of June, the brave, but
arrogant, Braddock, expired of his wounds, and
was buried on the road near Fort Necessity.
The panic among the soldiers still continuing,
Dunbar abandoned the expedition, and after destroying his artillery and stores, retreated across
the mountains to Fort Cumberland, and from
thence to Philadelphia.
The campaign being thus brought to a disastrous close, Colonel Washington, after resting
a few days at the fort to recruit his strength,
returned to Mount Vernon, an estate belonging
to the orphan daughter of his deceased brother




252           HISTORY  OF VIRGINIA.            [1755.
Lawrence, but which subsequently descended to
himself, as heir at law.
CHAPTER XXI.
Indian incursions-Activity of Washington-Dinwiddie convenes the assembly-Increase of troops-Waskington appointed commander-in-chief-Hastens to Winchester-Distressed condition of the settlers-His letter to the governor
-His painful situation —Fort Loudoun commenced-England declares war against France-Arrival of the Earl of
Loudoun-Success of the French under Montcalm —Conference at Philadelphia-Plan of the campaign-Failure of the
expedition againstLouisburg-C ampaign of 1758-Energetic
measures of Pitt-Expedition ordered against Fort Duquesne
-Advance of Colonel Bouquet —The Virginia troops concentrated at Fort Cumberland-A new road opened to Loyal,
Hanna-A detachment under Major Grant ordered to reconnoitre Fort Duquesne- Defeat of Grant-Arrival of General
Forbes at Loyal Hanna-Council of war-Advance of the
troops-The fort burned and deserted by the French-Fost
Pitt erected on its site-Campaign of 1759-Treaty of Fontainbleau.
EMBOLDENED by their success in defeating the
army under Braddock, the French  Indians no
longer confined their hostile incursions to the
settlements on the frontiers.  They crossed the
mountains, and after spreading themselves over
the country in the vicinity of Fort Cumberland,
penetrated to within twenty miles of Winchester.
Wherever they moved they committed the most
horrible  atrocities.  Whole families of settlers




1755.]     FRESH TROOPS RAISED.           253
were massacred, scouting parties were cut off,
and even the fortified stations attacked, with a
boldness that was increased by the feebleness
with which they were opposed.
Although he had resigned his commission of
colonel in the service of Virginia, Washington
still retained the office of adjutant-general of
militia. Fully conscious that nothing but the
most energetic measures could save the inhabitants of the frontiers from being utterly extirpated by their savage and barbarous enemies, he
called out the militia for exercise and review,
and encouraged the formation of volunteer companies.
Equally impressed with the necessity of immediate action in a crisis already so imminent, Governor Dinwiddie convened the assembly on the
4th of August.  The session, which was brief,
resulted in a vote of forty thousand pounds for
the public service, and authority to increase the
Virginia regiment to sixteen companies.
The organization of this body was entrusted
to Washington, with the commission of commander-in-chief of all the forces raised, and to
be raised, in Virginia, and the unusual privilege
of naming his own field officers. He had scarcely
set out on his journey to Williamsburg, for the
purpose of conferring with the governor upon a
plan of operations, when he was overtaken by an
express announcing a new and more destructive
22




254         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1755.
irruption of the French and Indians, and was
compelled to hasten to Winchester.
His personal presence abated in some degree
the terrors which the sanguinary excesses of the
enemy had inspired.  He collected and armed
the men who had fled with their families from
scenes of desolation and carnage, and directed
the county lieutenants, and the officers engaged
in enlisting volunteers, to concentrate their recruits and militia, as speedily as possible, at
Winchester.  Before these orders could be executed, the enemy had recrossed the Alleghanies
with their prisoners and plunder. No pursuit
was made. The number, of regular troops employed in the service of Virginia was totally insufficient for the protection of so extensive a
frontier, and effective service was found impracticable from the militia.
Deeply affected by the distresses of the inhabitants, and the constant recurrence of barbarities
on the part of the savages, for which he could
afford  no relief beyond  uncertain  promises,
Washington wrote a most pathetic letter to the
governor, urging the assembly to more vigorous
measures.  In this letter he says, "cThe supplicating tears of the women, and moving petitions of the men, melt me with such deadly sorrow, that I solemnly declare, if I know my own
mind, I could offer myself a willing sacrifice to




1756.]    STATE OF THE COUNTRY.          255
the butchering enemy, provided tlat would contribute to the people's ease."
As the only remedy for disasters which threatened, otherwise, the inevitable destruction of all
the forts, stations, and settlements, between the
Ohio River and the Blue Ridge, Washington proposed a new organization of the militia, and an
increase of the regular troops. His suggestions
being only partially adopted by the assembly, he
was reduced, to his great chagrin, to a system
of defensive operations; the duties of which were
both harassing and inglorious, and the summer
of 1756 was wasted in a series of petty skirmishes,
entailing great loss of life upon the troops engaged
in them, without being effectual in repressing the
incursions of the enemy.
This unhappy state of things excited feelings
of the most painful emotion in the breast of
Washington, who was compelled, on the one hand,
to listen to murmurs of discontent from his own
soldiers, and on the other, to heart-rending appeals for protection from the distressed inhabitants. His situation was rendered still more unenviable by the conduct of the governor, who,
without possessing any military knowledge, undertook to regulate the principal operations.
Whilst yielding obedience to orders that were
found practicable, Washington protested warmly
against being made responsible for military movements over which he had no control.  His fine




256         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1756.
sense of honour was subject to a yet keener annoyance in the rumours which were circulated at
this period, by certain friends of the governor, to
the disparagement of the army, charging the
officers with gross irregularities and neglect of
duty, and indirectly throwing the blame upon
the commander.  Justly indignant at being made
the object of accusations as false as they were
slanderoust, his first impulse was to resign his
commission and retire from the service; but his
half-formed purpose was speedily overruled by
the remonstrances of his friends, the general
voice of the people, and by his own high sense
of the duty which he owed to his native province.
The expected arrival of the Earl of Loudoun
to take command of the royal forces in Americaa station temporarily occupied, since the fall of
Braddock, by Governor Shirley of Massachusetts
-may also have had its effect in reconciling
Washington to bear, with such patience as he
might, the annoyances to which he was subjected.
Hoping soon to be called upon to take part in
a campaign of a more decided character, he busied
himself, in the mean while, in strengthening the
old forts and constructing new ones. A fort was
also commenced at Winchester, as a depository
for military stores, and a rallying point for such
settlers as might be driven in from the frontiers.
It was called Loudoun, in honour of the new
commander-in- chief,




1757.] CONFERENCE AT PHILADELPHIA.   257
On the 18th of May, 1756, England formally
declared war against France, and, late in July,
the Earl of Loudoun arrived in America.  He
had scarcely assumed the duties of his command,
before intelligence was brought him that the
Marquis Montcalm had captured, after a short
bombardment, the strong fort of Oswego, and
taken its garrison, consisting of more than a
thousand men, prisoners of war.
The expedition previously planned against Ticonderoga and Crown Point was immediately
abandoned; the troops which were on the march
to reinforce the garrison at Oswego, fell back in
dismay to Albany; the militia were suffered to
return to their homes; and, as the season was by
this time well advanced, the regulars were ordered
into winter quarters at New York and Albany.
In March, 1757, Washington attended a meeting of governors and officers at Philadelphia,
which had been convened by Loudoun for the
purpose of arranging with them the plan of the
ensuing campaign. Washington urged his favourite project of an expedition against Duquesne;
but it was finally decided to continue the system
of defensive operations in the middle and southern states, while the main army directed its
efforts against the garrisons of the enemy at
Louisburg and upon the lakes.
Through the tardiness and indecision of the
commander-in-chief, the expedition organized
22;




258         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1758.
against Louisburg resulted in a complete failure.
In the mean time, the energetic Montcalm placed
himself at the head of eight thousand men, and
invested Fort William Henry at the southern extremity of Lake George.  After a siege of six
days the garrison, consisting of two thousand
men, having exhausted their ammunition, capitulated on condition of being suffered to march out
with the honours of war.
On the frontiers of Virginia the Indians still
continued their predatory inroads, almost with
impunity.
Washington had returned to his old quarters
at Winchester; but little could be done beyond
maintaining the garrisons already established,
and alleviating the sufferings of those who had
fled from the fury of the savages. It was well
understood by this time that no scheme of effectual relief could be planned, which had not for its
basis the capture of Fort Duquesne.
The close of the year 1757 saw the French in
possession of all their fortresses, from Cape
Breton to Louisiana; while they had expelled
the English from Oswego and Lake George, and
had reduced the Six Nations to a position of
neutrality.
The campaign of 1758, was to open under
happier auspices. The elder Pitt had taken his
seat in the British cabinet, as secretary of state,
and understanding, far better than his predeces



1758.]        PITT'S MEASURES.            259
sors, the importance and condition of the American provinces, he resolved on a vigorous prosecution of the war, the plan of which embraced a
series of offensive operations throughout the
frontiers.
To the great joy of Virginia, General Forbes
was ordered to undertake the conquest of Fort
Duquesne. Thoroughly appreciating the inability
of the provinces to carry on the war to a successful conclusion at their own expense, Pitt addressed a circular to the respective governors, requesting them to raise an aggregate force of not less
than twenty thousand men, and offering to reimburse the expense of the levies by a subsequent
parliamentary grant. The troops thus raised were
to be armed and provisioned at the charge of the
crown.  The effect of this liberality was at once
apparent.  Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode
Island, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey,
and Pennsylvania, promptly responded to the
call of the energetic minister.
The forces in Virginia were immediately increased to two regiments of a thousand nien each.
Colonel Washington, still retaining his commission as commander-in-chief of the Virginia troops,
was placed at the head of the first regiment. The
command of the second was given to Colonel Byrd.
In the mean while, the affairs of the province
had been materially benefited by a change of
governors. Dinwiddie had sailed for England in




260        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1758.
January, 1758, leaving behind him a character
for arrogance and avarice, which made his departure a source of congratulation rather than
of regret. Lord Loudoun had been appointed to
succeed him; but the pressure of his military
duties detaining him at the north, John Blair,
president of the council, acted as chief magistrate
until the 7th of June, when he surrendered his
authority into the hands of the newly commissioned governor, Francis Fauquier..
The period at length approached when the
long wished for movement against Fort Duquesne
was to take place. The- army appointed to
effect the conquest of this important fortress
amounted  to seven thousand men.  General
Forbes being taken ill on his way firom Philadelphia, the regulars and Pennsylvania troops,
commanded by Colonel Bouquet, were ordered
in advance to Raystown, on the south branch of
the Juniata; and early in July, the Virginia
regiments under Washington, were concentrated
at Fort Cumberland. During the absence of
General Forbes, scouting parties, clothed in the
light Indian dress, were employed in opening a
road to Raystown, thirty miles distant, and in
repairing the one leading to Great Meadows.
Differences of opinion arising in relation to the
line of route, Washington strenuously urged that
the troops should march from Cumberland, over
the road previously constructed by the army




1758.]        GRANT S ATTACK.             261
under Braddock. His advice was disregarded.
A new road was ordered to be commenced from
Raystown, as the nearest and most direct route to
the Ohio. For six weeks Bouquet's advance division of twenty-five hundred men were kept incessantly employed on this arduous service, and
on the 10th of September had penetrated no
further than Loyal Hanna, a distance of fortyfive miles from Raystown.  While two-thirds of
the troops were employed in constructing a fort
at this point, Colonel Bouquet sent forward
Major Grant, with a detachment of eight hundred men, to reconnoitre the country in the
vicinity of Fort Duquesne.
On the fourteenth of September, after a march
of nearly fifty miles, Grant reached a hill overlooking the fort.  Under cover of the night, he
drew up his men in the order of battle, and advanced a small party of observation.  Early the
following morning, he ordered Major Lewis to
take command of the baggage guard, and fall
back some two miles in the rear.  At the same
time he sent an engineer, with a covering party,
to take a plan of the works.  To crown his rashness, he ordered the reveille to be beaten by all
the drums in the detachment.
The fort remained sternly silent.  Not a single gun was fired, not a single sound of prepara-.
tion was heard within its walls.  This ominous
stillness Grant attributed to fear.  He was soon




262        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1758.
to be terribly undeceived. All at once, the gates
were flung open, and multitudes of Indians
came streaming out, brandishing their weapons,
and startling the air with the shrillness of the
war-whoop. Spreading themselves on the flanks
of the covering party, they sent from the shelter
of trees and high grass, and from behind boulders
of rock, and the undulations of the ground, a
perfect storm of bullets; while a chosen body of
French regulars advanced in close order, and
commenced an attack in front. Grant descended
the hill to the support of his detachment, but they
were killed almost to a man before he reached
them. The main body, fighting in masses, soon
began to suffer terribly under the spirited attacks
of the French and the more deadly fire of the
concealed savages. They were speedily thrown
into disorder, but still fought with a blind fury,
which injured the enemy but little, while it
brought destruction upon themselves. Early in
the action, Major Lewis hastened to the assistance of Grant, with the greater portion of his
rear guard, leaving Captain Bullet with fifty men
for the defence of the baggage.  This reinforcement proved utterly ineffectual in checking the
success of the enemy.  The Indians, now confident of victory, sprang from their coverts, and
assaulted the wavering troops with the tomahawk
and the scalping knife. They gave no quarter;
but inhumanly butchered the regulars and pro



1758.]   IHEROISM OF COL. BULLET.         263
vincials in the very act of surrender.  Grant
barely succeeded in saving his life by capitulating
to a French officer. Lewis, after defending himself, with great gallantry from  the attacks of
several savages, one of whom he killed, was forced
to retreat upon a French detachment and yield
himself a prisoner of war. On the capture of
their principal officers, the troops fled from the
field in complete rout. Following close upon the
footsteps of the fugitives, the Indians hewed them
down as they ran, scalping and hacking the
bodies of their victims in the most barbarous
manner.
The cool forethought and heroism of Captain
Bullet, at length put a stop to the sanguinary
massacre. Sending back under a slender convoy the strongest horses, with the most valuable
part of the baggage, he formed a breastwork of
the remainder, as a cover for his troops, and a
rallying point for the fugitives. By keeping up
a close and well directed fire, he was enabled to
check for some time the advance of the pursuers.
Finding, from the rapidly increasing strength of
the savages, that he was in danger of being
speedily overpowered, he resorted to a manoeuvre,
which can only be justified by the extremity of
his peril, and his knowledge of the treacherous
character of those with whom he had to deal.
Ordering his troops to reverse their arms, as a
signal of surrender, he led them slowly, in this




264        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1758.
manner, toward the expectant savages, already
grasping their tomahawks to begin the carnage
anew. At a distance of only eight yards from
the enemy, he suddenly halted his men, poured
a close and destructive volley into the congregated
groups, and instantly followed it by a furious
charge with fixed bayonets. Struck with astonishment and terror, the Indians, imagining the whole
army was at hand, took the woods, and did not
cease their flight until they found themselves once
more under the protection of the French regulars. Prudently refraining from pursuit, Bullet
fell back upon the main body of the army at
Loyal Hanna; collecting as he retreated the
wounded and terrified soldiers, whom he found
scattered along his line of march, exhausted from
want of food, and haunted by incessant fears of
the savages. In this fatal action, nearly three
hundred men were either killed or taken prisoners. The first Virginia regiment lost six officers,
and sixty-two privates.
The gallantry of the provincials in the previous
battle, in the subsequent repulse of the victorious
savages, and in their masterly retreat, was the
theme of universal praise.
It was not until the 8th of November, that
General Forbes was able to join Bouquet with the
main army and heavy baggage. The difficulties
in opening the new route were both serious and
discouraging. The army, weary of repeated de



1758.]           FORT PITT.              265
lays, and weakened by sickness and desertion,
began to exhibit symptoms of discontent.  Fifty
miles of unbroken forest yet lay between the
camp at Loyal Hanna and Fort Duquesne.
As the winter was close at hand, a council of
war advised the abandonment of the enterprise
until the opening of spring; but before this decision was acted upon, three prisoners, accidentally
captured, reported the enemy as enfeebled by the
failure of their usual supplies from the north, and
by the desertion of their Indian allies.
An advance was immediately resolved upon.
Washington, at his own request, was placed in
command of the troops thrown forward to prepare
the way for the main army.  Leaving their baggage, and artillery at Loyal Hanna, the troops
partook of the newly revived ardour of their officers, and in despite of the numerous obstacles by
which their march was delayed, reached Fort
Duquesne on the 20th of November, 1758; but
the enemy had already disappeared.  The day
previous to the arrival of the army under Forbes,
they had set fire to the works, and retreated down
the Ohio in boats. The ruined walls were speedily renewed, and the long dreaded Fort Duquesne
received the name of Fort Pitt, in honour of the
English minister. After garrisoning the post
with two hundred men, selected from the Virginia regiment, Forbes, whose health was daily
becoming more infirm, returned with the main
23




266        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1759.
army to Philadelphia, where he died a few weeks
after his arrival.
The possession of Fort Pitt soon proved of incalculable advantage to the provinces of Virginia,
Maryland, and Pennsylvania.  No longer stimulated to hostilities by the French, and awed by
the successes of the British arms at the north, the
Indian tribes were effectually controlled, and in
a little while the fugitive settlers were enabled to
return to the frontiers, and occupy their homes
in peace.
At the north the war was prosecuted with signal
vigour and success. Louisburg had fallen before
the combined forces of Abercrombie and ]3oscawen, and Fort Frontenac had surrendered to a
strong detachment of provincials under Broadstreet.
The campaign of 1759 was marked by still
greater triumphs. Fort Niagara was captured
by the levies under Prideaux and Johnson. During the same month the regulars, under Amherst,
took possession of the important fortresses of
Crown Point and Ticonderoga, and the conquest of all the French possessions in Canada
was completed, on the eighteenth of September,
by the surrender of Quebec to the forces commanded by the gallant and lamented Wolfe.
But while the loss of her North American territories restored peace to the British provinces, it
was not until 1762 that France consented to the




1759.]   TREATY  OF FONTAINBLEAU.                  267
humiliating concessions which were extorted front
her by the treaty of Fontainbleau. By this treaty
she ceded to Great Britain the whole of Canada,
Cape Breton, the islands in the gulf and river
of St. Lawrence, part of Louisiana east of the
Mississippi River, and her possessions in the West
Indies.
The bitterness of feeling  engendered by this
loss of territory, displayed itself a few years
later, in prompting her to retaliate upon Great
Britain, by rendering assistance to the colonists
in their struggle for independence.
CHAPTER XXII.
English financial eimbarrassment-Proposition to tax the colonies-Passage of the stamp act-Its reception in AmericaPatrick Henry-His birth and education-Studies law-His
first speech in the - parson's cause" —Its effect upon his auditors-Elected a member of the assembly-Offers his celebrated resolutions-The effect of their adoption-Congress at
Philadelphia-Solemn declaration of rights-Repeal of the
stamp act-Townshend's new bill-Passed by the Imperial
parliament-Resistance of the Americans-Death of Fauquier
-Session of 1768-Resolutions of the assembly-Dissolved
by the arrival of Lord Bottetourt as governor-in-chief-Session of 1769-Dissolution of the assembly-Non-importation
agreement-Progress of resistance-Repeal of all duties except that on tea-Agitation still continues-Death of Lord
Bottetourt-His character-The assembly order a statue to
be erected to his memory.
THE  immense accession of territory acquired
by the treaty of Fontainbleau, was soon discov




268          IISTOPRY OF VIRGINIA.      [1762.
ered to be but a poor compensation  for the
alarming  financial embarrassments into which
England became plunged by the enormous expenses of the war. The energy infused by Pitt
into her councils, the indomitable bravery of her
regular troops, and the acknowledged prowess of
her provincial levies, had raised her to the enviable position of the greatest power in Europe.
But the honour of this supremacy had been dearly
bought.   Four prolonged wars, within  three
quarters of a century, had increased her national
debt to nearly seven hundred millions of dollars,
and had reduced, by excessive taxation, her own
immediate subjects to the verge of bankruptcy.
A part of these difficulties were undoubtedly occasioned by the large sums of money required to
protect the British American provinces from the
aggressions of the French. In order to relieve
the people of England from so onerous a burden
in future, it was thought advisable to draw a
revenue from the colonies sufficient to cover the
charge of their defence.  Hitherto, the colonial
assemblies had been permitted to exercise their
own discretion in granting or withholding military
contributions. Jealous of their independence,
and tenacious of a privilege they had so long
enjoyed, they denied the authority of the imperial parliament to tax them  without their own
consent.  The power to regulate the colonial
trade with foreign countries, although it had




1765.]           STAMP ACT.               269
been exercised by the officers of the crown for
several generations, had always been submitted
to with reluctance, and was daily growing more
unpopular.  Even the charges for the support
of a post office, although the latter was an acknowledged benefit had not been consented to
without opposition.' Having thus, by the imposition, of duties for the regulation of trade, opened
the way for more serious exactions, the English
government finally resolved to assert its rights to
levy taxes for revenue.
In 1763, Lord Granville gave notice of his
intention to bring in a bill imposing duty on
stamps, avowedly for the purpose of raising a
revenue from the provinces. At the next session
of parliament, a resolution, affirming the right to
tax the colonies, passed the House of Commons
without a division.  Petitions and remonstrances
soon after flowed in from all parts of America.
Notwithstanding the intense excitement which
the ministry were conscious of havinfg created,
the bill was brought forward, and on the 22d of
March, 1765, the Stamp Act was finally imposed.
No sooner did its passage become known in
America, than Virginia and Massachusetts tookl
the lead in opposition to its enforcement. The
assembly of Virginia was in session when the
tidings arrived. Among the newly elected burgesses was- Patrick Henry, a young lawyer, then
just rising into celebrity for an eloquence seldom
23 i




270         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1765.
equalled, and never excelled. Of the knowledge
derived from a scholastic education, he possessed
but little.  HIe had been taught Latin by his
father, and had attained to some proficiency in
mathematics, but the confinement of study was
his aversion.  IHe better loved to wander with
his gun across his shoulder through the intricate
mazes of the forest; or to recline by the brookside beneath the shade of some far-spreading tree,
where, lulled into a dreamy mood by the sound
of rippling waters, he could indulge for hours
together in his own thick coming fancies.  When
he grew to manhood he became by turns a merchant and a farmer.  Equally unsuccessful in
both occupations, he determined to study law.
After a course of reading which his poverty
limited to six weeks, he obtained, in the twentyfourth year of his age, a license to practice.
Utterly ignorant at first of the simplest business
of his profession, the three succeeding years
were passed in the greatest pecuniary distress.
But the leisure which the absence of clients
imposed was not wholly unimproved.   He divided his time between his favourite sports, the
reading of books upon ancient and modern history, and a close study of the ancient Virginia
charters. At length, an opportunity occurred
for the display of those extraordinary powers,
which have handed his name to posterity as the
greatest natural orator the world has ever known.




1764.]      THEE PARSONS' CAUSE.           271
It Was the celebrated "4Parsons' cause."   The
salary of the Episcopal ministers in Virginia had
been fixed by law at sixteen thousand pounds of
tobacco, the value of which long usage had established at sixteen shillings and eight pence a
hundred weight.  The issue of paper money, and
the subsequent rage for speculation, having raised
the price of that staple to fifty shillings a hundred
weight, laws were passed in 1755 and 1758, authorizing the payment of all tobacco debts in
money, at the old rate of sixteen shillings and
eight pence.  These laws were contested by the
clergy, who claimed the right to receive their
salary in tobacco, according to the terms of the
original statute, or an amount in money equivalent to the increased price of the staple.  A
previous decision of the court in favour of the
claimants, had left nothing undetermined but the
amount of damages, the standard of which had
been established by the law of 1748.  The plaintiff in the present case was Henry's own uncle.
Naturally awkward in his deportment, and confused by the presence of so many learned men,
and by the multitude of anxious listeners with
which  the  court-house was thronged, HIenry
faltered so much in his exordium, that his father,
who occupied the chair as presiding magistrate,
sank back in his seat, covered with shame and
mortification.  The immense crowd which had
assembled within and without the court-house,




272         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1765.
painfully impressed with the incapacity of their
chosen champion, hung their heads in despondency; while the clergy, some twenty of whom
were present, glanced at each other with a covert
expression of anticipated triumph.
But a wonderful change of feeling was now
about to take place. The first few, feeble, and
broken sentences, were succeeded by others better connected, and full of pith and meaning. As
he gained confidence, the young rustic lawyer
disappeared, and in his place stood the impassioned orator, holding the multitude in thrall by
the grandeur of his expression, the intense fire
which shone in his eyes, the grace of his action,
the graphic force of his imagery, and the almost
magical charm of a voice which now stirred all
hearts, like the blast of a war-bugle, and now
soothed them to quietude, as by the tender music
of a lute.
The cause was gained; under the bewildering
influence of an eloquence almost miraculous, the
jury, forgetting alike the clear provisions of the
law, and the conceded right of the plaintiff, returned a verdict of one penny damages.
Henry rose rapidly in popularity. The following year he amazed a committee of the house of
burgesses, by a brilliant display of his peculiar
powers, on a question involving the right of suffrage. In 1765, he was elected to the assembly.
HIe had taken his seat but a few days, when




1765.]   HlENRY LEADS TIIE LIBERALS.    273
tidings reached Virginia that the Stamp Act had
passed. As a member of a body composed principally of the aristocracy of the province, a
stranger to most of the burgesses, and entirely
unacquainted'with the forms of the house, Henry
waited for some time the action of older and more
experienced men.  But finding, as the period
approached when the law was to go into operation, that all shrank from grappling with a question involving issues of so momentous a character,
he tore from  an old law-book a blank leaf, on
which he wrote a series of resolutions, claiming for
the people of Virginia all the privileges of British subjects; asserting the exclusive right of the
assembly to impose taxes upon the people of the
colony; and declaring any attempt to vest that
authority elsewhere, as inconsistent with the
ancient charter of Virginia, and subversive of
British, as well as of American freedom.  Resolutions so bold and spirited alarmed the fears of
those who styled themselves the friends of the
government, and gave rise to violent,debates.
Henry at once took his place at the head of
the liberals. Ardent and uncompromising, he
poured forth his magnificent philippics, startling
his aristocratic antagonists by the power of his
language, the fiery impetuosity of his gestures,
and the singular aptness of his comparisons.
Warming with his theme, he blanched the cheeks
of his auditors, by exclaiming,s Caesar had his




274        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1765.
Brutus; Charles the First his Cromwell; and
George the Third" —ccTreason! treason!" exclaimed the  speaker.  "4 Treason  treason!"
echoed "other burgesses.  Henry turned his fine
eyes, blazing with light, from  one opponent to
another, and then added: "6and George the
Third may profit by their example. If that be
treason, make the most of it."  After a warmr
contest, the resolutions passed by a small majority.  The next day the governor dissolved the
assembly.
The news spread with astonishing celerity
throughout the whole length and breadth of America. Similar resolutions were offered and carried in
the other provinces, and the principle of resistance
to taxation without representation, was universally
established and recognised. Acting upon the
recommendation of Massachusetts, deputies from
nine provinces met in congress at Philadelphia,
and agreed upon a solemn declaration of rights.
Petitions and memorials to the King of England
and both houses of Parliament were also unanimously adopted, in which the invasion of ancient
privileges, and the frequent violations of existing
compacts, were complained of in language combining the tenderness of affectionate respect, with
the firmness arising from a consciousness of injury. For a whole year the contest continued;
but the pertinacity of the British ministry was
not equal to the unyielding resolution with which




1768.] DIFFICULTIES ON THE FRONTIER. 275
the scheme of imperial taxation was opposed.
The stamps were every where refused.  Pitt,
Camden, Barre, Burke, and Conway openly justified the Americans in their resistance. Finding
the obnoxious act utterly ineffective for all practical purposes, it was repealed by Parliament at
the session of 1766.
The joy of the provincials was, however, but
of short duration.  Their expressions of loyalty
and  gratitude  had  scarcely subsided, before
Townsend, the new chancellor of the exchequer,
sheltering himself behind the admitted right of
Parliament to regulate commerce, framed a bill
imposing certain duties on tea, paper, glass, and
painters' colours.
On the second of July, 1767, the act was passed.
Justly indignant at this new and more insidious
attempt to encroach upon their liberties, the
Americans entered at once upon a spirited resistance. They contended, that when designed for
purposes of revenue, there was no difference in
principle between direct and indirect taxation.
Before the passage of the act was known in
Virginia the death of Lieutenant-governor Fauquier had again placed John Blair, president of
the council, at the head of the government.
Difficulties having arisen between the people
of the frontiers and the western Indians, the as
sembly was convened a month earlier than usual.
It met on the last of March, 1768. After adopt



276         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1769.
ing such measures as were best calculated to
quiet the border agitation, the burgesses proceeded to consider the late acts of Parliament,
and passed a series of spirited resolutions, in
which they boldly asserted, "4 that no, power on
earth has a right to impose taxes on the people
without their own consent."  While still in session, Lord Bottetourt, the new governor-in-chief,
arrived, and a dissolution immediately took place.
As this was the usual course of procedure in such
cases, it created no dissatisfaction.
In accordance with a previous summons to that
effect, a new assembly convened in May, 1769;
and, after listening respectfully to a conciliatory
speech from the governor, entered upon an animated discussion of grievances. The Parliament
of December, 1768, having authorized the governor of  Massachusetts to be instructed to send to
England for trial all persons charged with treasonable offences, the assembly of Virginia anticipated the reception of similar orders by the
adoption of several resolutions, in which they
claimed the sole power to impose taxes, asserted
their right to petition the crown for relief, either
singly or in conjunction with other colonies, and
denounced the transmission beyond sea for trial,
of any persons suspected of treason or of any
other crime whatsoever, as a violation of privilege, and an illegal departure from a fixed and
known course of proceeding.  These resolutions




1769.]    PLEDGE N'OT TO IMPORT.          277
were ordered to be sent, without delay, to the
speakers of the several houses of assembly on the
continent, and disdaining any longer to appeal
to an unfriendly Parliament, the burgesses agreed
upon an address, to be presented by their colonial
agent to the king in person. Although sincerely
sympathizing with the colonists in their troubles,
the governor, holding his office from the crown,
could not suffer resolutions of so dangerous a
character to pass without a pointed rebuke.
The following morning he dissolved the assem~bly.  Undeterred by this censure, the members
adjourned to a private dwelling, and solemnly
pledged themselves to import no articles from
England, or any part of Europe, except an enumerated few, which were of absolute and primary
necessity.  Among the burgesses by whom this
non-importation  agreement was signed, were
George Washington, Patrick Henry, and Thomas
Jefferson; the latter, a young lawyer newly elected from the county of Albemarle, where he possessed a handsome patrimonial estate.
Animated by the imposing example of Virginia, such of the other colonies as had previously
hesitated to commit themselves to measures so
decided, now adopted resolutions of a similar
character.
Alarmed at the fearful progress of a resistance
which they themselves had provoked, the British
ministry, at length, reluctantly retraced their
24




278       TIISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1770.
steps, and in April, 1770, the obnoxious duties
were repealed, with the exception of three pence
a pound on tea.  To render the latter acceptable
to the Americans, a drawback of one shilling a
pound was allowed on all tea exported to the
colonies, so that they were, apparently, benefited
by the change to the extent of nine pence a
pound.
But the original ground of contest still remained.  The right to tax one article involved
the right to tax all; and though a relaxation of
the non-importation agreement took place as
soon as the duties on the other commodities were
removed, the colonists determined to allow no
tea to be landed in America, until the impost on
that also was rescinded.
The death of their amiable and upright governor, Lord Bottetourt, during the fall of this year,
was a source of sincere regret to the people of
Virginia.  Engaging in his address, prompt in
his attention to business, and of incorruptible integrity, he yet more closely endeared himself to
all, by the deep interest which he showed for the
welfare of the province, and by the frank, bold,
and energetic manner in which he defended those
over whom he presided from the aspersions of
their enemies.  More than once he warned the
British government of the danger that was
likely to ensue from persisting in a course of
policy that would inevitably prove as injurious to




1770.]    STATUE TO BOTTETOURT.           279
the true interests of England, as it was unjust to
her colonies.
Acting under his instructions from abroad, he
had, from time to time, given assurances to his
council and the house of burgesses, which the
ministry never intended to fulfil.  Justly indignant at a deception, to which he had been made
a party, the high spirited nobleman demanded
his recall; cleclaring, at the same time, his determination never to suffer himself to be constituted
the oppressor of an innocent and virtuous people.
Profoundly penetrated by the remembrance of
his many virtues, the members of the house of
burgesses ordered a fine marble statue, which
still stands in the town of Williamsburg, to be
erected- to his memory.




280          HISTORY  OF VIRGINIA.            [1772e
CHAPTER XXIII.
D)unmore appointed governor-Arrival of Foy-Meeting of the
assembly-Rebuke of Dunmore-His tart reply-Committee
of correspondence organized-A continental Congress suggested-Journey of Dunmore to the Ohio-Appoints Conolly
Indian agent-His designs unfolded-Troubles with Pennsylvania-Action of the Virginia council-Cargoes of tea
sent to the colonies-Pr'oceedings in consequence-Destruction of tea at Boston-Its port closed —Action of VirginiaThe Continental Congress-Indian war on the frontier-An
army raised-March of Dunmore-Colonel Lewis encamps
at Point Pleasant-Battle of Point Pleasant-Suspicious conduct of Dunmore-Negotiations for peace-Speech of Logan
-Approaching crisis-Battle of Lexington-Dunmnore conveys the powder from the magazine at Williamsburg-Henry
marches upon the capital-An assembly convened-Flight
of Dunmore.
BY the death of the lamented Bottetourt, the
duties of governor devolved upon William Nelson,
president of the council, until the arrival of Lord
-Dunmore in 1772.  The quartering of troops in
Boston, the riots in that city during the spring
of 1770, and the obstinate persistence of the
British ministry in retaining the duty on tea, all
tended to increase the agitation  of the public
mind.  Slight events became  causes of grave
suspicion; and while every one felt that a crisis
was rapidly approaching, none knew upon which
province the blow was first to fall.  The delay
of Durnmore, in New York, for several months
after his appoint-ment,  was by no means favour



1773.]      FoY MADE SECRETARY.           281
able to his reputation in Virginia. The resignation by Captain Foy of his office as Governor of
New Hampshire, for the purpose of accepting the
inferior post of private secretary to Dunmore,
was regarded by many as originating in some
latent purpose.  Foy had obtained a brilliant
military reputation by his conduct at the battle
of Minden; and it was supposed, not without
plausibility, that the British ministry intended to
employ his talents in carrying out those measures
of coercion which had already been devised.  To
provide an adequate salary for his distinguished
secretary, Dunmore had directed that he should
receive a fixed sum of five hundred pounds a year,
besides the lucrative emoluments arising from a
list of fees established expressly for his benefit.
This assumption of an authority vested in the
assembly alone, received, at the first meeting of
that body, a prompt rebuke; and Dunmore, conscious of the impolicy of creating an open rupture
with the indignant burgesses upon a question of
so little moment when compared with the one at
issue between the provinces and the mother country, consented to annul the new list of fees, and
sought by his courtesy and condescension to
efface the unfavourable impression his conduct
had created. For a brief period harmony was
apparently restored, but before the assembly
again met, in 1773, a forgery of colonial paper
money to an alarming extent, while stimulating
24



282         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1773.
the governor to bring the supposed offenders to
justice, had led him to overstep the strict limits
of the law.   Conscious that one uncensured
illegal act might afford a pretext for others, the
assembly resolved upon an address to Dunmore,
in which they stated, that as a doubtful construction, and various executioni of the criminal code,
would greatly endanger the safety of the innocent,
they trusted that the proceedings in the case
under notice mirght not be adduced in future as
a precedent.  Stung by the rebuke, Dunmore answereed tartly, c In apprehending 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 tholght to endanger the safety of the
innocent."   This display of acerbity had no
effect upon men who were sustained by the consciousness of having performed a duty which
they owed to their constituents.
After having  thus zealously defended  the
privileges of the subject, the burgesses proceeded
to organize a committee of correspondence, for
the purpose of keeping up a frequent communication with the other colonies, and of obtaining the
earliest intelligence from abroad. The subsequent
movements of Dunmore were also subjected to the
closest scrutiny.
Diuring the summer he proceeded on a pleasure
excursion to the back settlements.  He remained




1773.]    SCHEMES OF DUNMORE.             283
sometime at Pittsburg, examining the nature of
the country, conciliating the inhabitants, and
holding frequent interviews of a private nature
with one Conolly, whom he had appointed Indian
agent.  This man, able and unscrupulous, was
known to possess considerable influence, not only
over the surrounding tribes of savages, but also
with the hardy and unsuspicious borderers.  The
objects of Dunmore's journey soon became apparent.  It was to create a territorial dispute
between Virginia and Pennsylvania,'and thus
weaken the bond of union existing between the
two provinces; or failing in that, to divert the
attention of Virginia from  the designs of the
British governihent by provoking an Indian war.
He had scarcely set out on his return, before
Conolly commenced the formation of settlements
in Pennsylvania, under patents granted by Dunmore. These encroachments were immediately
resisted, Conolly was seized and imprisoned by
the officers of Pennsylvania, and the settlers
secured and punished as outlaws.   Dunmore
instantly issued a proclamation, which was well
calculated, by its violent and haughty tone, to
increase the excitement already existing. Fortunately his scheme was foiled by the sagacity and
moderation of his council, who firmly rejecting
all violent measures, agreed to settle the controversy by arbitration.
In the mean while, the general adoption of the




284         HISTORY OF VIRGINIAo       [1A77.
non-importation agreement having hadc the effect
of virtually annulling the tax upon tea, the British government endeavoured to force its introduction into the colonies by offering the East
India Company a drawback equal to the amount
of duty. As the tax was by this means rendered
merely nominal, the hope was indulged that resistance would cease, and the proposition was
accepted by the company. [But as the principle
involved remained the same as ever, the people
iwould not yield.
At Charleston, the tea was allowed to be stored,
but its sale was expressly prohibited.  The cargoes intended for Philadelphia and New York,
were sent back at once to England. At Boston,
the popular indcignation displayed itself far more
violently.  On the evening of the 16th of December, 1773, three ships, containing tea, were
boarded by an organized party, disguised as Indians.  who forcibly broke open the chests containing the obnoxious commodity, and emptied
their contents into the water.  This bold act was
no sooner known in England, than a bill was
passed by Parliament, closing the port of Boston,
and removing the seat of government to Salem.
The assembly of Virginia was in session when
a rough draft of the bill reached Williamsburg.
All other business was at once thrown aside. An
order was passed forthwith, protesting against
the conduct of the ministry as subversive of




1774.]    CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.           285
American freedom, and setting apart that day
week-the 1st of June, 1774-for the purpose
of fasting, humiliation, and prayer.  To put a
stop to proceedings so alarming, Dunmore summoned the members to the council chamber, and
dissolved the assembly.
On the following day, the whole of the delegates repaired, by agreement, to the Raleigh
tavern, where, after drawing up. an address to
the American people, they authorized a correspondence to be opened with the several colonial committees, suggesting the expediency
of appointing delegates to meet in a general
Congress. The proposal everywhere met with
a favourable response. On the 1st of August,
1774, a convention was held at Williamsburg,
which after adopting, in a more stringent form,
the old non-importation agreement, appointed
seven delegates to the proposed Congress. Prominent among those chosen, were Randolph,
Washington, Henry, and Jefferson.
The Continental Congress met at Philadelphia
on the 4th of September following. It consisted
of fifty-three delegates, the leading men of twelve
provinces. Of this select assembly, Peyton Randolph was chosen president.
But while the patriotism of Virginia was being
thus honoured by her sister provinces, she was
suffering all the horrors of an Indian war upon
her frontiers. Preluded by a series of atrociousL




986         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1774.
murders, it suddenly burst in full fury upon the
defenceless inhabitants. The parties of border
militia which had assembled to check the progress of the enemy, were swept away, and such
settlers as did not seek safety in flight, were
either barbarously massacred, or hurried into
captivity.
No longer dreading the effects of French slill,
superadded to Indian ferocity, large numbers of
volunteers immediately took the field. An army
of twenty-seven hundred men was speedily raised.
Dunmore,  to whom, by means of his agent
Conolly, the war has been attributed, placed
himself at the head of a division of fifteen hundred men, and marched against the Shawanese
towns on the Scioto.  The remaining division
under Colonel Andrew Lewis, proceeded to Point
Pleasant, at the mouth of the great Kanawha.
As a junction was to have been made at this
place with the troops under Dunmore, Lewis
halted his men and encamped until the first division should arrive.  On the 9th of October,
orders were received from the governor for the
troops to cross the Ohio and join him at, or near,
the Shawanese towns. Early the next morning,
while the men were actively engaged in preparing
for their march, several- wounded scouts came
into camp with intelligence that the Indians had
been discovered in great force at a distance of
less than a mile from the point. The main body




1774.]  BATTLE OF POINT PLEASANI.         287
of the army was immediately ordered out under
Colonels Charles Lewis, and Fleming.  The advance, under Lewis, had not proceeded more than
four hundred yards before it was assaulted by
the Indians, and the action commenced.  At the
first fire Colonel Lewis fell mortally wounded.
Fleming being disabled soon after, the men fell
back in some confusion toward the camp, but
were speedily rallied under cover of a reinforcement commanded by Colonel Field. The engagement then became general, and was continued,
with unabated fury, from sunrise until near the
close of evening. A skilful manoeuvre executed
under the orders of Colonael Andrew Lewis, at
length decided the victory in favour of the Americans.  Three companies, commanded by Shelby,
Matthews, and Stuart, were directed to proceed
secretly up the Kanawha, turn the position of
the enemy, and suddenly fall upon their rear.
This movement was successfully accomplished.
Alarmed at being placed unexpectedly between
two firesS the Indians were thrown into disorder,
and about sunset commenced a precipitate retreat across the Ohio to their towns on the Scioto.
In this hard fought battle the Virginians sustained a loss in killed and wounded of two hundred
and fifteen.
As soon as the dead were buried, and arrangements made for the comfort of the wounded,
Lewis pressed forward to form a junction with




288         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [17740
Dunmore.  While he was on his march, he was
met by an express bearing orders for the troops
to return at once to Point Pleasant.  Suspicious
of the motives by which the governor was actuated, Lewis continued to advanee, until he came
in siglht of one of the Indian towns, where he encountered Dunmore in person, who informed him
that hon had already consented to enter upon negotialtions for a peace.
At the treaty, which was concluded soon after,
Logan, one of the principal chiefs, was not present.  To avoid, however, any misconstruction of
his motives, he sent, by General Gibson, the following speech to L6rd Dunmore:,"I appeal to
any white man to say, if ever he entered Logan's
cabin hungry, and he gave him not meat; if ever
he came cold and nakled, and he clothed him not.
During the course of the last long and bloody
war, Logan remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the whites,
that my countrymen pointed, as they passed, and
said,'Logan is the friend of the white man.' I
had even thought to have lived with you, but for
the injuries of one man.  Colonel Cresap, the
last spring, in cold blood, and unprovokedl, murdered all the relations of Logan, not even sparing
my women and children.  There run not a drop
of my blood in the veins of any living creature.
This called on me for revenge. I have sought
it: I have killed many: I have fully glutted my




1775.]      BATTLE OF LEXINGTON.          289
vengeance.  For my country I rejoice at the
beams of peace. But do not harbour a thought
that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt
fear.  IIe will not turn on his heel to save his
life.  Who is there to mourn for Logan!  Not
one."
The war was closed upon the frontier; but a
sterner, grander, and more prolonged contest was
speedily approaching.  Resolutions, addresses,
and resistance, both passive and forcible, had
fully aroused the spirit of the American colonies,
and prepared them for the bloodier struggle which
was to follow. The common cause, at first imperfectly embraced, because imperfectly understood, was now sustained by an unanimity of
action, as forcible as it was imposing.
In the early part of 1775, the various provincial governors received instructions from  England, to check the disposition to rebellion in the
colonies, by seizing upon all depots of arms and
ammunition. Gage, of Massachusetts, was the
first to undertake the fulfilment of this order, by
an attempt to capture some cannon and military
stores collected at Concord, a small town some
twenty miles from Boston. Eight hundred troops
were detached on this service, and on the nineteenth of April, at sunrise, reached Lexington,
where, for the first time, they came into collision
with a body of continental militia. The regulars
were at first successful, but were subsequently
25




290         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1775.
compelled to retreat to Boston, with a loss in
killed alnd wounded of three hundred men.
On the 22d of April, two days only after the
battle of Lexington, Dunmore secretly removed
the gunpowder from the magazine at Williamsburg, to an armed vessel lying off York Town.
This act was no sooner discovered than the volunteers of Williamsburg assembled in arms, with
the avowed purpose of seizing the person of the
governor.
Restrained with difficulty from the immediate
execution of their threat they despatched a deputation to the governor, demanding a restitution
of the powder.  His reply was courteous, but
evasive. In the midst of the excitement, news
arrived of the fight at Lexington. The tidings
spread like wild-fire throughout the province.
Fifteen hundred men collected at Fredericksburg
from the upper country, prepared to march at a
moment's warning to the defence of the capital,
which Dunmore had threatened to lay in ashes at
the first signal of insurrection. By the influence
of Randolph, and other patriotic gentlemen, this
large force was prevailed upon to abstain from
active hostilities until the continental congress
should decide upon the proper course to be pursued. Firm in his belief that the time for action
had arrived, Patrick Henry alone refused to consent to any proposition involving delay. Placing
himself at the head of his own company of volun



1775.]  PREPARATIONS FOR RESISTANCE.   291
teers from Hanover county, he marched at once
upon Williamsburg.  By the time he had reached
Doncastle's ordinary, sixteen miles from the seat
of government, his force had swelled to five hundred men. As he approached the city he was
met by deputies from Williamsburg, accompanied
by Corbin, the king's receiver, who consented to
give bills for the value of the powder taken away.
The particular cause of quarrel being thus removed, Henry returned to Hanover county, and
on the 4th of May disbanded his followers.
While the deputies were treating with Henry,
Dunmore sent his family on board the Fowey
man-of-war, and after fortifying his palace, garrisoned it, in addition to his own armed servants,
and the Shawanese hostages, with a party of marines which he had ordered to his assistance fiom
one of the ships in the river.
These preparations for resistance, joined to the
threat made by Captain Montague, that if his
detachment met with any interruption, he would
open a fire upon the town of York; brought on a
renewal of the excitement. A proclamation by
Dunmore declaring Henry and his followers guilty
of rebellion, added fuel to the flame.
Stimulated to increased activity, meetings were
held in every county, and volunteers pledged
themselves to be in readiness to march wherever
their services might be required. In this threatening aspect of affairs, Dunmore, fearing to trust




292        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1775.
himself beyond the walls of his palace, called his
council together and asked their advice.  They
suggested that the marines should be dismissed,
and an assembly convened.  The governor reluctantly consented. A  brief period of quiet
succeeded, but confidence was not restored.  It
was rumoured abroad that a scheme was being
arranged for the seizure of the newly-elected
deputies, who were openly warned to come prepared.  Undeterred by the mysterious danger
with which they were menaced, the delegates
fearlessly set out for the capital. Those from
distant counties entered Williamsburg dressed in
their hunting shirts, and bearing their rifles.
Nearly all who attended were armed. They had
scarcely reached the city before an attempt was
made to break open the magazine. In the act
of entering it, a spring gun exploded, wounding
one of the persons engaged in the affair. An
alarming riot followed, and Dunmore, fearful for
his personal safety, fled secretly by night, and
took refuge on board the Fowey.




1775.]        FLIGHT OP DUNMORE.                  293
CHAPTER XXIV.
Adjournment of the Virginia Assembly-Continental Congress
-Washington  appointed  conlmander-in-chief-Battle  of
Bunker's Hill-Movements of Dunmore —Battle at Great
Bridge-Norfolk evacuated-Bombarded and burned-Meeting of the Assembly —Neew constitution adopted-Declaratiosi
of Independence —Retreat of Dunmore-War at the northDisastrous expedition against Quebec-Retreat of Washington across the Jerseys-Battles of Trenton and PrincetonCampaign of 1777-March of Burgoyne fiom Canada-Capture of Ticonderoga —Surrender of Burgoyne-Movernents
of Howe-Battles of Brandywine and Germantown-Washington retires to Valley Forge,-Treaty of alliance with
France —Howe  evacuates Philadelphia —Clinton  retreats
across the Jerseys-Battle of Monmouth-Arrival of a
French fleet off the Capes-An attack upon Newport projected-Its failure-Invasion of the southern states-Virginia plundered by General Matthews.
THE flight of the governor was no sooner discovered, than the council and assembly agreed
upon a joint address, entreating him  to return to
the palace, and offering to concur in any measure
that might be considered necessary for his personal security.  On  his refusal to do so, the
assembly declared his office vacant, and appointed
the president of the council in his place. They
adjourned  themselves  soon  after, having first
agreed to meet in convention at Richmond, for
the purpose of organizing a provisional government, and arranging a plan of defence. While
the Virginia assembly were thus endeavouring to
25*




294         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1775.
induce Dunmore to return to Williamsburg and
resume the duties of his office, the continental
congress, then in session ~at Philadelphia, after
declaring that hostilities with Great Britain had
commenced, had appointed George Washington
commander-in-chief of the continental army.
This appointment was made on the 15th of June,
1775.
On the 17th, was fought the battle of Bunker's
Hill. Four days afterward, Washington left
Philadelphia to assume command of the troops,
then stationed at Cambridge.
On the 17th of July, according to previous
agreement, the Virginia convention met, entrusted
the executive authority to a committee of safety,
and ordered the immediate enlistment of two regiments of Minute Men. The royal government of
Virginia was at an end.
Dunmore, having with him several armed vessels and two companies of regulars, still hovered
about Old Point Comfort, and threatened the
lower counties.  Hoping to create a diversion in
his favour west of the mountains, he had sent to
his former agent Conolly, the commission of a
lieutenant-colonel; but his project failed of success by the arrest of Conolly in Maryland, while
returning from a visit to General Gage at Boston.
Landing at Norfolk, then just rising into a
town of some commercial importance, Dunmore
seized a printing press, and on the 17th Novem



1775.]         GREAT BRIDGE.             295
ber, issued a proclamation, declaring martial law,
and offering freedom to all slaves belonging to
rebels who would join the royal standard.  A
large number of negroes and tories responded to
the call.  With this mixed force he commenced
offensive operations.  Marching to Kempsville,
in Princess Anne county, he destroyed some arms
collected there, and took several prisoners, among
whom was Captain Mathews, of the Minute Men.
Having threatened the inhabitants of Hampton
with an attack, the committee of safety sent
Colonel Woodford with a hundred riflemen to
assist in defending the place. Before he could
arrive, six tenders, filled with men, entered Hampton Creek, and endeavoured to effect a landing,
for the purpose of burning and plundering the
town; but as the enemy approached the shore in
boats, they were driven back by a party of concealed riflemen. Night set in; and, in the mean
time, the reinforcement under Woodford arrived.
In the morning a second attempt to land was resisted with even greater success than the former;
the enemy then withdrew to Norfolk.
Desirous of striking a decisive blow, the committee of safety determined to force Dunmore to
evacuate Norfolk. Woodford's second Virginia
regiment and the Culpepper battalion were ordered upon this service. At Great Bridge, a few
miles from Norfolk, the enemy occupied a stockade fort, which, being furnished with artillery,




296        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1776.
and strongly garrisoned, effectually protected the
approach to the city.  Woodford threw up a
breastwork at the end of the causeway, and
waited for the arrival of reinforcements.  Deceived by a stratagem  as to the number of the
provincials, Captain Fordyce, at the head of three
hundred and fifty regulars, tories, and negroes,
sallied out from the fort on the morning of the
ninth of December, 1775, to attack Woodford in
his entrenchments. While advancing along the
causeway, Fordyce fell mortally wounded, and
his troops, after having sustained a loss of nearly
one-third of their whole number, in an action
which lasted only thirty minutes, gave way and
retreated precipitately to the fort.  Alarmed at
this unexpected defeat, Dunmore hastily spiked
his artillery, abandoned his works, and embarked
with the remainder of his army on board the vessels in the harbour. Five days after the skirmish
at Great Bridge, the Virginians, reinforced by
the North Carolina militia under Colonel Robert
Howe, took possession of Norfolk, and opened a
fire upon the British ships.  In retaliation for
this rash provocation, and for the rough treatment which certain royalists had experienced
from the conquerors, Dunmore, strengthened by
the arrival of the frigate Liverpool, bombarded
the town on the first of January, 1776, and, landing a party of marines and seamen under cover
of the cannonade, set fire to it in several places.




1776.]  INSTRUCTIONS TO DELEGATES.    297
Of a thousand houses, nearly nine hundred were
consumed. The remainder were destroyed soon.
after by order of the committee of safety.
During the whole of the, summer following,
Dunmore, sailing up the various rivers of eastern
Virginia, carried on a series of petty predatory
incursions, by which the loyalists sustained great
losses. Plantations were ravaged, houses were
burned, and nearly a thousand slaves abducted
from their masters. At length, although moving
with celerity from point to point, and retreating
to his boats whenever menaced with a serious
attack, he found himself so continually harassed
by armed parties of volunteers and militia, that he
was constrained to withdraw his motley force,
and retire to St. Augustine with the plunder he
had accumulated.
The general assembly of Virginia met at
Williamsburg on the 6th of May, and after appointing Edmund Pendleton president, and John
Tazewell clerk, proceeded to the business before
them.  On the 15th of the month it was unanimously agreed upon to instruct the Virginia
delegation to the continental congress, then in
session at Philadelphia, to propose in that body
a formal declaration of independence, and the
absolution of the United Colonies from all allegiance to Great Britain. A committee was also
appointed to prepare a declaration of rights, and
a plan of government suitable to the new con



298        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1776.
dition of the province.  On the 29th the constitution, framed  by George Miason, with  a
preamble sent by Jefferson from Philadelphia,
was unanimously adopted.  Patrick Henry received the appointment of governor.  On the 5th
of July the assembly adjourned.  At Philadelphia, the day previous, the declaration of Independence as drawn up by Jefferson was passed
by Congress. It was proclaimed at Williamsburg
on the 25th of the same month amid the firing of
cannon, and the exulting shouts of the assembled
people.
The assembly again met on the 7th of October,
1776, and appointed a committee to revise the
state laws. By the strenuous efforts of Jefferson
and Mason, an act was passed at this session, by
which dissenters were relieved from the disabilities
under which they had laboured previously, and
all forms of religion placed upon an equal footing.
From the retreat of Dunmore, until the summer of 1779, the territory of Virginia was happily exempted from that fearful condition of things
which always accompanies the march of hostile
armies. At the north, in the mean timne  the
forces sent over by Great Britain had been kept
constantly engaged. The campaign of 1776
opened disastrously for the American cause.
The army ordered to attempt the reduction of
Canada had met with a signal defeat before the
walls of Quebec, where Maontgomery, its heroic




1776.]      BATTLE OF TRENTON.           299
leader, fell mortally wounded. The Virginians
under Morgan, though fighting bravely in the
midst of the storm  and darkness, were overpowered by numbers, and comipelled to surrender
themselves prisoners of war.
During the campaign in Canada, reinforcemnents from England had raised the royalist army
under Howe, to twenty-four thousand men.  To
oppose this large body of disciplined troops, thr
American commander-in-chief had a force of
about twenty thousand provincials, badly equipped, yielding but little military obedience, and
rendered inharmonious by sectional jealousies.
The defeat of Putnam on Long Island, compelled
Washington to abandon New York to the British
and retreat across the Jerseys. With his troops
daily diminishing from the expiration of their
term  of service, from sickness, and desertion,
he crossed the Delaware on the 7th of December,
at the head of a dispirited army, reduced to three
thousand five hundred effective men. One bright
gleam, however, shed a lustre over the-close of
the campaign. With twenty-five hundred picked
men, and six pieces of artillery, Washington
secretly recrossed the Delaware, on the night of
the twenty-fifth of December, 1776, entered
Trenton the following morning in the midst of a
snow storm, surprised a body of fifteen hundred
Hessians stationed at that place, took one thousand of them prisoners of war, and captured their




300        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1T777.
artillery. Astonished at a reverse so little expected, Howe immediately directed Cornwallis to
take command of the British force quartered at
Princeton, and attack Washington in his camp
at Trenton. Finding his position a dangerous
one, and retreat difficult in the face of an enemy
equal in numbers and far superior in arms and
discipline, Washington adopted the bold expedient
of occupying the attention of Cornwallis in front,
while the provincial army retreated silently from
camp and fell upon his rear. The manoeuvre
succeeded. Near to Princeton three regiments
of British regulars on their march to join Cornwallis, were attacked and broken, with the loss of
three hundred men taken prisoners. Washington
then retired to winter quarters at Morristown,
while Cornwallis encamped at New Brunswick.
The British plan of the campaign of 1777 was
in many respects similar to that formerly recommended to the French government by De Callier,
the design being to separate the New England
states from the middle and southern colonies, by
opening a communication between New York and
Canada. In pursuance of this project, General
Burgoyne left Canada with an army of eight
thousand men, captured Ticonderoga, dispersed
the greater part of the garrison under St. Clair,
in their retreat to join Schuyler at Fort Edward,
and obtained complete command of lakes George
and Champlain. Hitherto Burgoyne had been




1.778.]   PHILADELPHIA EVACUATED.         301
successful at every point.  He was now to experience a series of reverses, which weakened the
confidence of his troops, lost him the support of
his Indian allies, and finally enveloped him in
such a-networl of diffculties, as constrained him
to surrender, on the 17th of October, the whole
of his army to General Gates.
In the mean while, the successes of Sir Villiamz
Howe had created great excitement in the southern and roiddle states.  Sailing up the Chesapeake, he landed at the head of Elk, advanced
toward Philadelphia, defeated the American army
under Washington at the battles of Brandywine
and Germantown, captured the defences on the
Delaware, and thereby enabled the British fleet
to co-operate with the army.  The winter being
close at hand, Washington went into quarters at
Valley Forge.
The event of greatest importance in the year
1778, was the treaty of defensive alliance signed
between France and  the American  colonies.
Fearful of the river Delaware being blockaded by
a French fleet, Howe concluded to evacuate Philadelphia, and ordered Clinton to retreat across
the Jerseys to New York. On the 19th of June,
the British army, twelve thousand strong, crossed
the Delaware, and took up its line of march.
Washington at once started in pursuit.  On the
28th of the same month, the enemy encamped at
Monmouth Court House. The following morning
26




30         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1778.
Washington ordered Lee, who commanded the
advance, to press forward and commence the action.  Lee did so, but in a short time retreated.
The troops were rallied by Washington, and a
sharp but indecisive engagement ensued.  Under
cover of the darkness, the British gained the high
lands of Nevisink, where they occupied a position
secure from attack.  From Nevisink, Clinton
embarked on board of Howe's fleet, and returned
to New York, barely escaping a French squadron of sixteen ships, commanded by the Count
D'Estaing, and having on board four thousand
French troops, which arrived off the Delaware a
few days later.
Desirous of profiting at once by this fortunate
event, Washington arranged with the French
commander a plan of attack on Newport, Rhode
Island, where six thousand of the enemy were
garrisoned.  General Sullivan, with a strong
division of the continental army, was ordered to
co-operate with D'Estaing on this service; but
the latter being led away by the prospect of
bringing the British fleet to an engagement, Sullivan was compelled to abandon his position in
front of the town, and retreat hastily across the
island to the main land.
Foiled in their efforts to reduce the northern
states, the main strength of the British arms was
now directed against the south. Georgia was
invaded by an army of three thousand five hun



1778.]  DEVASTATION BY THE BRITISH.    303
dred men, commanded by Colonel Campbell,
which, forming a junction with the force under
Prevost, Governor of Florida, captured Savannah,
and speedily overran the whole province.
In the mean while, Clinton, who had succeeded
Howe as commander-in-chief of the British forces
in America, despatched General Matthews from
New York, with twenty-five hundred men, to
commence operations against Virginia.  The
squadron having these troops on board, entered
Hampton Roads early in T[ay, and Matthews immediately entered upon a career of plunder and
devastation.  He took possession of Fort Nelson
and the town of Portsmouth, recaptured Norfolk,
and destroyed both there, and at Gosport, large
quantities of naval and military stores. One
hundred and thirty merchant vessels were either
captured or burned in the James and Elizabeth
rivers, and a frigate and nine smaller ships of
war on the stocks at Gosport, were also consumed
by fire. Three thousand hogsheads of tobacco
formed a portion of the plunder acquired by this
expedition, which, though remaining within the
limits of the province but a few days, inflicted a
damage upon public and private property amounting in the aggregate to two millions of dollars.




304           HISTORY  OF VIRGINIA.            [1780.
CHAPTER XXV.
Clinton embarks for the south-Capture of Charleston-Gates
appointed to command the southern continental army.-His
defeat at Camden-Leslie sent to Virginia-Greene supersedes Gates-Arnold in Virginia-La Fayette ordered to reinforce Steuben-General Phillips forms a junction with
Arnold-Destruction of stores at Yorktown-Petersburg
captured-Advance of Cornwallis-Battle of Cowpens-Retreat of Greene-Marches against Rawdon —Cornwallis
reaches Petersburg —Expeditions of Simcoe, and TarletonMasrch of Cornwallis to Portsmouth-Skirmish near Jamestown-The British army concentrated at York and Gloucester
-Movements of the allied forces under,VWashington and
Rochambeau-Arrival of the French fleet in the Chesapeake
-Yorktown invested-Incidents of the siege-Capitulation
of Cornwallis-Negotiations for peace.
THEi  subjugation  of Georgia was no sooner
completed, than the conquest of the Carolinas
was resolved  upon.  Previous  efforts to obtain
possession of Charleston having failed, Clinton
determined  to attempt its reduction in person.
Leaving Kniphausen'with a strong garrison  in
NTew York, he embarked on the 26th of December, 1779, for Savannah, with seven thousand
troops.  After completing his arrangements at
the  latter  port, he sailed  for the harbour of
Charleston, which he entered early in April, and
proceeded at once to invest the town.  On the 14th
oFApril, 1780, two continental regiments stationed
at Monk's Corner to keep open the communica



1780.]    CAPTURE OF CHARLESTON.        305
tion with the country north of Broad River, were
surprised by Tarleton, and effectually dispersed.
Fort Moultrie, threatened by sea and land, surrendered on the 6th of May. In the mean time,
Clinton with the main army was pressing forward
with great vigour his operations against the town,
which was obstinately but unsuccessfully defended
by General Lincoln. Finding himself completely surrounded, and with no hope of receiving
succour from without, Lincoln at length decided
to open negotiations, which resulted in yielding
up the city and surrendering its garrison as prisoners of war. Clinton had no sooner acquired
possession of Charleston than he spread his forces
over the interior of the state. As no opposition
was offered, the conquest was speedily completed.
Having re-established the royal government, and
placed four thousand troops under Cornwallis to
maintain his conquest, Clinton returned with the
remainder of his forces to New York.
So soon as the capitulation of Lincoln became
known to Congress, that body appointed General
Gates to command the continental army in the
south. Pushing forward at once to overtake the
Maryland and Delaware battalions under De Kalb,
which had already been detached for service in
that quarter, he came up with them at the Deep
River, a tributary of the Cape Fear.
Apprehensive of danger, Lord Rawdon, commanding the British advanced posts in South
26~



306        I-ISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1780.
Carolina, immediately called in his detachments,
and concentrated his forces at Camden.  Gates
marched at once upon that point by the most direct
route, gathering strength from Virginia and the
Carolinas as he proceeded, until his army was increased to six thousand men. Cornwallis, advised
of his approach, hastened from Charleston, formed
a junction with Rawdon, and at daybreak on the
6th of August, encountered the southern provincial army in the vicinity of Camden. Gates, rash
as he was vain, was utterly defeated, and his
troups, routed and pursued, were driven into the
swamps and effectually dispersed.
When Clinton heard of the defeat of Gates,
supposing that Cornwallis, talking advantage of
his victory at Camden, would proceed at once
across North Carolina, and attempt to overrun
Virginia, he despatched from  New York three
thousand men, under Colonel Leslie, to the Chesapeake Bay, for the purpose of co-operating with
the southern army. But Cornwallis, weakened by
the defeat of Ferguson at KIing's Mountain, and
wanting both supplies and reinforcements, was in
no condition to advance.  Under these circumstances, Leslie's movements were crippled. Landing at Portsmouth, he took possession of a few
vessels, plundered some of the plantations on the
coast, and then set sail for South Carolina.
In the mean time, Congress had directed General Greene to reorganize and take command of




1780.]      ARNOLD IN VIRGINIA.          307
the southern continental army. On his way to
the headquarters of Gates at Charlotte, in North
Carolina, Greene left Baron Steuben in Virginia
to collect recruits, and to assist in defending the
state against an expedition, then fitting out at
New York.
On the 30th of December, 1780, the traitor
Arnold entered the Chesapeake with a fleet of
fity sail, proceeded with nine hundred men to the
faills of the James River, and took possession of
Richmond without opposition.  Sending out a
detachment of light horse under Colonel Simcoe
to Wjestham, the latter destroyed the cannon
foundry at that place, and such stores as had
been hastily removed there from Richmond.
Descending the James River, a few days after,
Arnold returned to Portsmouth, plundering and
destroying as he went.
The principal part of the Virginia troops
having joined the army under Greene, Steuben,
finding himself too weak to enter upon offensive
operations with the militia which had been hastily
collected, was compelled to confine himself to
watching the invaders, and restricting their operations.  The presence of Arnold in Virginia no
sooner: became known to Washington, than he
formed a project for the capture of the traitor.
In pursuance of the plan he had devised, General
La Fayette was sent with twelve hundred continentals to reinforce Steuben, and to co-operate




808        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1781.
with the French squadron, which presently sailed
from Newport for the Chesapeake Bay. The
scheme, though well devised, was destined to be
frustrated.  A naval engagement took place off
the Capes, between the British and French fleets,
in which the latter being worsted, were obliged to
return to their former anchorage at Newport.
By the activity of Clinton, a detachment of
two thousand men, commanded by Major-general
Phillips, was soon after sent to the assistance of
Arnold, and the combined forces, supported by
the British squadron, speedily renewed the old
system of plunder and devastation.
Leaving one thousand men to garrison Portsmouth, Phillips sailed up the James River, and
after sending a detachment to destroy the naval
stores collected at Yorktown, proceeded to Petersburg, where Steuben with a body of militia,
less than one thousand in number, attempted to
oppose his progress, After a sharp skirmish,
which lasted for about two hours, Steuben retired
with his troops to the opposite side of the Appomattox. On the 25th of April, 1781, Phillips
entered the town, where he captured and burned,
during the following day, four thousand hogsheads
of tobacco. Crossing the Appomattox, he marched
to Chesterfield Court-house, set fire to the buildings erected at that place for the reception of
recruits for the army under Greene, and destroyed
the provisions and stores collected there.




1.781.]     RETREAT OF GREENE.            309
In the mean time, Arnold proceeded to Osborne's, where he burned a quantity of tobacco.
So soon as Arnold's detachment had formed a
junction with the main army, Phillips proceeded
to Manchester, a small village opposite to Richmond. The arrival of La Fayette in that vicinity,
induced Phillips to re-embark his troops, and fall
down the James River; but learning on his way
that Cornwallis was advancing into Virginia, he
relanded his troops at City Point, and Brandon,
and returned hastily to Petersburg, to form a
junction with that ofcer.  Suffering under a severe attack of bilious fever, Phillips died a few
days after reaching the city. The command of
the army then devolved on Arnold.
During the progress of these events in Virginia, Cornwallis had been actively engaged in
South Carolina against Greene, and the partizan
officers by whom the latter was supported.  By
the defeat of Tarleton at the c; Cowpens," the
British lost six hundred men; but reinforced the
next day by the troops under Leslie, Cornwallis
pressed forward in pursuit of Morgan, hoping to
intercept him before he should be able to form a
junction with Greene. In this, however, he was not
successful. The provincial forces were united, and
Greene evinced a determination to defend the
passage of the Catawba. The fords being forced
by the enemy, Greene, closely pursued, fell back
upon the Yadkin.  He had scarcely crossed it




310         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1781.
before the British van came up, but only succeeded in capturing a few wagons.
A sudden rise in the river effectually preventing the enemy from crossing for several days,
Greene continued on to Guilford Court-house,
from whence he retreated by a forced march into
Virginia.
Cornwallis had no sooner returned to the interior of North Carolina, than Greene recrossed
the Dan, and threw out skirmishing parties to
keep the tories in check on the Haw and Deep
Rivers, and to harass detached parties of the
enemy's regulars.  Being reinforced during the
early part of March, 1781, by detachments of
continental troops from Virginia and Maryland,
and by a large body of volunteers from Virginia
and Carolina, he advanced to Guilford Courthouse, and offered battle to Cornwallis. On the
15th of March, an engagement took place.  It
ended in the defeat of the provincials, who sustained a loss of four hundred men.
Unable to follow up his victory from a scarcity
of provisions, Cornwallis withdrew to Wilmington,
while Greene halted at Deep River. In the hope
of drawing Cornwallis in pursuit of him, and thus
relieving North Carolina from the domination of
the enemy, Greene determined to push forward
into South Carolina, and attack Rawdon, who,
with nine hundred men, was stationed at Camden.
When the news of this movement reached




1781.]  DESIGN TO CAPTURE JEFFERSON.  311
Cornwallis, Greene was already too far on his
way to be pursued with any prospect of advantage.
Leaving Rawdon, therefore, to maintain- himself
as well as he could, Cornwallis turned his steps
northward, and penetrating into Virginia, formed
a junction at Petersburg, on the 20th of May,
with the British force under Arnold.
Receiving soon after a reinforcement of four
regiments from New York, he so far outnumbered
the troops under La Fayette, that the latter
was compelled to retire from Richmond toward
the Rappahannock, for the purpose of meeting
Wayne, who was advancing to join the southern
army with a detachment of the Pennsylvania line,
amounting to nearly a thousand men.
Cornwallis at once started in pursuit, but finding it impossible to prevent a junction of the provincial forces, he turned his attention toward
breaking up the detached posts in the interior
of the state. A light infantry party under Lieutenant-colonel Simcoe was sent against Steuben,
who was stationed with six hundred men at the
junction of the Rivanna and Fluvanna Rivers, in
charge of the military stores collected at that
point; while Tarleton, with a body of cavalry,
was ordered to push on to Charlottesville, where
the assembly was in session, to seize the burgesses, and to attempt the capture of Jefferson, who
had succeeded Patrick Henry as governor of the
state, and resided in that vicinity. The expedi



312         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1781.
tion under Simoe succeeded in forcing Steuben
to retreat, and in destroying the laboratory ana
armory which had been placed under his protection.  That under Tarleton was a partial failure.
Seven of the burgesses, and twelve wagons, loaded
with military stores fell into his hands, but Jefferson and the remainder of the delegates made
good their escape. The two detachments having
formed a junction, proceeded down the James
River, ravaging the country on both sides of the
stream, until they were called in to unite with
the main army.
In the mean time, Clinton fearing an attack
upon New York, by the combined American and
French forces, had sent orders to Cornwallis to
march toward the coast and take up such a
position as would enable him  to embark his
troops in the event of their services being re.
quired.  In obedience to these instructions,
Cornwallis marced toward Williamsburg, which
he entered on the 28th of June.  La Fayette,
reinforced by the levies under Steuben, hovered
closely in his rear.  At the crossing of the river
opposite Jamestown, the provincial troops attacked the British with great spirit, but after a
sharp action were beaten off with loss. On reaching Portsmnouth, Cornwallis was met by fresh instructions from Sir Henry Clinton, directing him
to take up a strong position and hold himself in
readiness for future orders. Finding Portsmouth




1781.] MOVEMENT AGAINST CORNWALLIS.   313
unsuited for such a purpose, he selected the peninsulas of York and Gloucester, as being more
central and easier of access by the frigates arid
vessels which aeccompanied him.  On the 1st of
August, 1781, he concentrated the whole of his
army at those points, which he strengthened
soon after by a line of redoubts.
The grand drama of the revolution was now
approaching its close.  The expected arrival in
the Chesapeale of a French fleet from the West
Indies, enabled Washington to concert, with the
Count de Rocharnbeau, a plan of operations,
having for its object the capture of Cornwallis.
Orders were immediately despatched to La Fayette, advising him of the intended movement, and
directing him to occupy such a position as would
prevent the retreat of the British into North
Carolina.
After executing various manceuvres, by which
the attention of Sir Henry. Clinton was diverted
from  the real object of attack, the combined
French and American forces marched, with great
secrecy and rapidity, across the Jerseys to Philadelphia. Proceeding from the latter city to the
head of Elk, in Maryland, they embarked in
transports already collected at that point, and
floating down the Chesapeake, formed a junction
with the troops under La Fayette, at Williansburg, toward the close of September.
In the mean time, the Count de Grasse had
27




314        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.      [1781.
succeeded in entering the Chesapeake with a fleet
of twenty-six ships of the line, and several
frigates. This large naval force was increased
soon after by the arrival of the French squadron
from Newport, under the Count de Barras.
The plan of operations having been definitely
settled between Washington and the French commanders, the allied army, amounting to sixteen
thousand men, marched from the camp at Williamsburg, and on the 30th of September, completely invested Yorktown, where the main body
of the British force, eight thousand strong, had
been concentrated.
During the first week in October, the besiegers
were occupied in opening intrenchments, constructing breastworks, and in bringing up the
heavy cannon and mortars from the ships. By
the 8th of October, the first parallel, nearly two
miles in extent, was completed.  The next day,
three batteries being prepared to open upon the
town, Washington applied the match to the first
gun with his own hands, and a furious cannonade
immediately commenced. From the 10th to the
14th, the batteries of the allied forces kept up a
tremendous and incessant firing upon the enemy,
which was but feebly and ineffectually returned.
An event of unusual interest occurred on the
14th, in the simultaneous storming of two of the
enemy's advanced redoubts, by two parties of
picked men, the one body being wholly composed




1781.]  CAPITuLATION OF CORNWALLIS.    315
of French grenadiers and chasseurs, and the
other of American light infantry. The van of
the latter was commanded by Colonel Alexander
Hamilton, who, after addressing his men in a
speech of remarkable power and eloquence, led
them to the attack with unloaded muskets, and
carried the works at the point of the bayonet.
The French storming party were equally successful. The captured redoubts being enclosed
in the second parallel, the defences of the enemy
gradually became untenable beneath the constant
fire of the besiegers.  On the night of the 16th,
Cornwallis came to the desperate resolution of
crossing his troops over to Gloucester Point, and
by cutting his way through the small French force
stationed there, endeavour to make good his retreat to New York.  A part of his troops were
actually embarked, but a violent storm arising,
the boats, after being driven for some distance
down the river, were compelled to put back to
Yorktown.
Hemmed in on the one side by the French
squadron, and on the other by the American and
French land forces, with his defences nearly battered down, his ammunition almost exhausted,
his provisions gone, and with no hope of receiving
succour from Sir Henry Clinton, Cornwallis, on
the 17th of October, proposed a cessation of hostilities, and the appointment of commissioners to
arrange the terms of a capitulation. Articles




316         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1781.
were finally agreed upon, by which seven thousand British troops, with all the materiel of war,
were surrendered to the American force; while
the British ships, seamen, and naval stores, were
given up to the combined French squadrons.
The final act of capitulation was peculiarly
impressive. At the hour of noon, on the 19th of
October, the combined army was drawn up facing
each other, in two parallel lines, extending more
than a mile in length. The Americans occupied
the right side of the road, and the French the
left.  On horseback, at the head of the former,
sat Washington, attended by his aids. At the
head of the latter, was posted the Count Rochambeau and his suite.  The French troops were in
complete uniform. The American forces were
variously habited, and bore evidence of the toils
and privations through which they had struggled
to a crowning triumph. Outside these lines, and
thronging the fields beyond, was a prodigious
concourse of spectators, attracted thither by the
imposing nature of the ceremony about to be performed.  About two o'clock, and in the midst of
profound silence, the captive troops, newly uniformed, marched from  the town, and defiled
slowly between the lines formed for their receptior, with shouldered arms, colours cased, and
drums beating. All eyes were anxiously turned
to gaze upon their leader, but under the plea of
illness, Cornwallis had transferred the command




1781.]  CAPITULATION AT YORKTOWN.    317
to General O'Hara. When the latter arrived at
the head of the line, he approached Washington
and apologized for the absence of the commanderin-chief.. General Lincoln was then directed to~
superintend the surrender, which was accomplished in a spacious field near by. The mortification of the British troops at being compelled to
ground their arms in the presence of their conquerors, was so rudely manifested in the violence
with which they divested themselves of their accoutrements, and threw down their muskets upon
the pile, as to call forth a strong rebuke from Lincoln.  Many of their officers were even more
deeply affected. Colonel Abercrombie-the same
who afterward distinguished himself in Egypt,
and fell mortally wounded at the moment of victory-no sooner witnessed the surrender of his
troops, then he withdrew rapidly, covering his
face, and biting his sword.
But if the capitulation at Yorktown was a
source of profound humiliation to the enemy, it
was productive of the happiest results to the
American colonies.  The War of Independence
was virtually closed.  Hostilities continued however to be prosecuted in a languid manner, for
some time after, in the sonth; but it soon became
evident that England, growing weary of a contest
from which she derived no hope of regaining her
lost authority, was desirous of bringing it to a
close. Accordingly, early in 1782, negotiations
27*




318           HISTORY  OF VIRGINIA.           [1783.
were opened for a peace, and on the 3d of February, 17839 a provisional treaty was concluded.
CHAPTER XXVI.
Close of the war-Exhausted condition of the connty —Cession
of the public lands-Convention at Philadelphia-Adoption
of the Federal Constitution —Opposition in Virginia-Origin
of the Federalists and Republicans-Fears respecting the
constitution-Repudiation of British  claims-Opinion of
Washington-Increasing prosperity of the Union-Difficulties with France-Alien and sedition laws-Madison's
resolutions-Slavery-Fears of Virginia-Acts passed in relation to-Difficulties with England —English and French decrees-Commercial distress-Declaration of war — Patriotism
of Virginia —Peace proclaimedl-Revisipohs of the Constitution-Servile insurrection-WVar with Mexico-Past condition
of Virginia-Present prospects-System of internal improvement —Relation of Virginia to the states.
THE  exhausted condition in which the several
confederate states were left at the close of the
war, rendered the first few years that followed a
period of intense anxiety at home, and of curious
speculation  abroad.   Burdened with debt, imperfectly united to each other, the commercial
interests of the north conflicting with the agricultural interests of the south, at issue with
respect to boundaries, and with the smaller states
suspicious of the larger, the independence which
had  been  achieved  threatened  to  degenerate
speedily into anarchy, unless the danger should
be averted by mutual acts of concession and com



1786.]   cESSION OF PUBLIC LANDS.          319
promise.  Happily, that patriotism  which had
stimulated them to stand shoulder to shoulder in
the great struggle for independence, now animated
them to rise superior to all sectional considerations, and to work together for the general good.
The first, and most striking evidence of harmonious action between the states, was the cession
to the federal government of the western lands.
In this surrender of territory, both from the
magnitude of her claims, and the validity of her
title, either by patent or by conquest,'Virginia,was peculiarly conspicuous.  But, although one
of the objects of this grant of lands to the federal
government was for the purpose of providing
means by their sale for the gradual liquidation
of the natioial debt, the process was necessarily
slow; and in the mean time, the people of the
several states were reduced by the expenses of
the war, by the depressed condition of trade, -and
by the claims of their British creditors, to a state
of bankruptcy and partial insurrection.
The powers vested in the old continental congress being wholly insufficient to remedy evils of
such magnitude, Virginia took the lead in proposing a re-organization of the federal government. Delegates from six states accordingly met
at Annapolis, in September, 1786; but finding
themselves too few in number to carry out effectively the wishes of their constituents, they resolved to adjourn, having first recommended a




320        HISTORY OF V1TRGINIA.      [1788.
convention, to be composed of delegates from all
the states, to meet at Philadelphia, the following
May.  This recommendation was finally carried
into effect. On the 14th of May, 1787, the convention assembled at Philadelphia, elected Washington its presiding officer, and, after a stormy
session of four months, adopted, on the 17th of
September, the present Constitution of the United
States.
The new constitution was immediately laid before the Continental Congress, then in session at
New York, which, after some hesitation, transmitted a copy of it to each legislature, and
recommended that state conventions should be
called to decide upon its approval or rejection.
In the, Virginia convention, which met at Richmond, in June, 1788, the ratification of the new
constitution was strongly opposed by Patrick
Henry and George Mason; but met with able
advocates in Madison, Wythe, and Edmund Randolph.  After a long and animated series of
debates, all opposition was silenced, and on the
27th of June, the constitution was adopted by
Virginia, subject, however, to certain amendments, which were to be submitted to the other
states for approval.
But, although the constitution was finally
ratified by the whole of the states, its friends
were scarcely more numerous than its opponents.
For a long time after it went into operation, a




1789.]      COiNSTITUTION AMENDED.         321
general doubt of its successful working pervaded
the public mind.  Some believed that it would
lead to a breaking up of the confederation; some
thought the powers intrusted to congress and the
executive were too extensive; while others contended that the executive authority was altogether
too weak and dependent.  These opposite opinions resulted in the formation of two great parties, the friends of the constitution acquiring the
name of Federalists, while those who were hostile
to many of its provisions, assumed the title of
Republicans.
The Virginia assembly, which met in November, 1788, were so fully impressed with the belief
that the  constitution  required amendmeent in
many of its most essential articles, that, following
the example of New York, they framed an address
to the federal Congress, advocating the call of a
new convention, for the purpose of revising that
instrument. Fortunately, perhaps, for the integrity of the Union, the suggestion vwas not adopted.
The moderate men of both parties, conscious of
the difficulty which had attended the framing of
the system of government just established, were
unwilling to retrace their steps over ground so
dangerous.  Some changes they conceded to be
necessary, and accordingly, at the session of the
first Congress in 1789, out of seventeen amendments proposed, twelve passed both houses, ten
of which, being subsequently sanctioned by a




322         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1789.
majority of the state legislatures, became a part
of the Constitution.
Notwithstanding these well-meant efforts at
conciliation, several of the states were far from
being satisfied. Prominent among these stood
Virginia.  Fearful that the creation of a strong
central power would tend to weaken the sovereignty of the states, many of the most eminent
men, at the head of whom was Patrick Henry,
adopted, from the first, opinions, strongly antifederal.  The great mass of the people of the
state also arrayed themselves on the same side,
being insensibly led into opposition by the dread
of having to pay the old debts due to British
merchants, for the collection of which the federal
constitution was supposed to furnish additional
facilities.  These debts, amounting in the aggregate to ten millions of dollars, "'had become
hereditary from father to son for many generations, so that the planters were a species of property annexed to certain mercantile houses in
London." Beggared as they already were from
losses sustained during the war, and from the
expenses of a contest so protracted, many of the
planters, acting under the impulse of self-preservation, were not unwilling to repudiate claims,
which they felt themselves incapable of liquidating
without reducing their families to absolute penury.
The prevalence of a similar feeling, induced
many of the state legislatures to pass laws to




1789.]    POLITICAL DIFFICULTIES.          323
prevent the collection of debts by British merchants; and as these acts were in direct violation
of the fourth article of the treaty, Great Britain
refused to surrender the western and north-western
posts until the claims of her subjects were satisfactorily adjusted.
The fine moral sense of Washington could not
witness this infraction of the treaty without openly
protesting against it. He deeply regretted that
Great Britain should have any pretext for still
retaining possession of any part of the territory
confessedly belonging to the United States, and
of exercising thereby a dangerous control over
the Indian tribes which were scattered along the
frontiers.  "sThe distresses of individuals," said
he, ",are to be alleviated by industry and frugality, and not by a refaxation of the laws, or by
a sacrifice of the rights of others."
Notwithstanding the ominous misgivings of
many true patriots, the country slowly recovered
from the extreme prostration into which it had
fallen, and the prediction of Washington, that
the day was coming when America, weak as she
then was, would have some weight in the scale
of empire, was in the sure process of fulfilment.
The eight years during which that great and
good man occupied the presidential chair, were
years of trouble and difficulty; but it was upon
the succeeding administration of the elder Adams




8294         IISTO1RY OF VIRGINIA.        [1789n
that the storm of political opposition most fiercely
vented itself.
From  the period of the arrival of Genet, as
ambassador of the new French republic, in 1.793,
to the year 1798, the American nation had been
subjected by that ill regulated power to a series
of insults and injuries.  Repeated efforts at redress having signally failed, a war appeared at
length to be inevitable.  For the purpose of protecting the administration at this crisis from internal and external enemies, the famous, but un —
wise, alien and sedition laws were passed.
By the first act, in relation  to aliens, no
foreigner could become a citizen unless he had
previously resided in the United States for a
period of fourteen years.,
By a second act, limited in its operation to
two years, the president was authorized to order
out of the country all such aliens as he might
judge dangerous to the peace and safety of the
United States; while by a third, all aliens, resident in the country after war had been declared,
upon a proclamation issued by the president,
might be apprehended, or secured, or removed.
The sedition law, which was to continue in
force for three years, was not less stringent.
The first section imposed a fine not exceeding
five thousand dollars, imprisonment from  six
months to five years, and binding to good behaviour at the discretion of the court, ", for any




1798.]   ALIEN AND SEDITION LAWS.         325
persons unlawfully to combine and conspire
together, with intent to oppose any measures of
the government of the United States, directed by
proper authority, or to impede the operation of
any law of the United States, or to intimidate,
or prevent any person holding office from the
execution of his trust, or to commit, advise, or attempt to procure any insurrrection, riot, unlawful assembly, or combination."
These laws met with the most vehement opposition in Virginia.  A number of resolutions,
drawn up by Jefferson, had already passed the
legislature of Kentucky, in which the doctrine of
state rights was advocated with great boldness
and ability, and the alien and sedition laws declared void and of no force.  In December, 1798,
resolutions of a similar; character, drafted by
Madison, were adopted by the legislature of Virginia.
The preamble to these resolutions declared
that the powers of the federal government resulted only from a compact to which the states
were parties; and that in case of the exercise
of powers not granted by the compact, the states
possessed the right to interpose for the correction
of the evil.
After expressing " deep regret at a spirit
manifested by the federal government to enlarge
its powers by a forced construction of the constitutional charter, and by an improper inter28




326        HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.        [1798.
pretation of certain phrases, to consolidate the
states into one sovereignty, the obvious tendency
and result of which would be, to transform the
present republican system into an absolute or at
best a mixed monarchy," the resolutions closed
with a strong protest against the alien and sedition laws, as ", palpable and alarming infractions
of the constitution."
But these opinions found only a partial support in the other states of the Union; and subsequent experience has shown that the fears,
which were at that day so earnestly entertained
by many of the best and purest statesmen of the
republic, were based upon an incorrect appreciation of the intelligence and capacity of the people.
From this period, until the war of 1812, the
history of the State of Virginia presents but few
points of interest to the general reader. Silently
increasing in wealth and numbers, the great mass
of the population gradually became warmly attached to that system of federal government which at
first they had regarded with so many ominous
misgivings. The only source of remaining doubt
arose from sectional differences in regard to slavery. The abolition, therefore, of the slave trade
by Congress, was not viewed by any of the southern states without serious alarm, lest it should
be followed by measures more directly interfering with that species of property. This feeling
of insecurity was increased in Virginia by the




1805.]  DIFFICULTIES WITH ENGLAND.    327
consciousness that two attempts at servile insurrection had already occurred during the years
1799 and 1801.  It influenced the legislature of
1805 to pass a law, which authorized the apprehension and sale of all emancipated slaves remaining in the state for twelve months after obtaining their freedom; forbade the education of
orphan coloured children left in charge of the
overseers of the poor; and ordered such free
blacks as entered the state, to be sent back to
the places from whence they came.
A deeper source of anxiety arose soon after in
the critical relations of the United States with
regard to foreign powers, but more especially
with England.
After a long and sanguinary war, the genius
of Napoleon had subjected every nation to his
arbitrary will, with the exception of Great Britain.
The fierce struggle for supremacy between these
two powers led to infractions of the rights of
neutrals, which were endured for a long time by
the Americans, for the sake of the profitable
carrying trade which the war in Europe had
thrown into their hands.
At length England, jealous of the growing
naval power of the United States, determined to
check its increase by laying many of the French
ports under embargo, and by declaring the vessels of neutrals bearing French products to be
lawful prize. Napoleon retaliated by the famous




328         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1809.
Berlin decree, which was issued from the battlefield of Jena on the 21st of November, 1806.
This decree declared the British Islands in a
state of blockade, and prohibited all trade in
English merchandise.
The effect of these acts was to put almost an
entire stop to commercial enterprise in the United States; but the hope was still entertained
that, either by negotiation or remonstrance, the
causes for complaint would be eventually removed.
Such hopes proved fallacious. Difficulties arose
soon after with England in relation to the right
of impressment, which an unprovoked attack
upon the Chesapeake by the English frigate
Leopard, off the Capes of Virginia, complicated
still further.
The commercial states were not, however, as
yet prepared to consent to a-declaration of war,
and various ineffectual measures were resorted
to, during the four succeeding years, in the effort
to avoid an appeal to arms.
In 1807, the ports of the United' States were
closed against British vessels; but the great commercial distress which the restriction occasioned,
led to its suspension at the ensuing session of
congress.  In 1809, a more comprehensive act
was passed by congress, which prohibited all intercourse with Great Britain, France, or their
dependencies.
These acts proving ineffectual, and all attempts




1829.]      GENERAL CONVENTION.          329
at an amicable adjustment of the points at issue
having been met by evasions or delays, the patience of the people became exhausted, and on
the 18th of June, 1812, congress formally declared war.
In this declaration, as in the measures by
which it was preceded, Virginia yielded a cordial
support to the national executive; and upon the
commencement of hostilities, her patriotism continued to display itself in the alacrity with which
volunteers from all parts of the state enrolled
themselves for the defence of the country. For
a long time the war was confined principally to
the frontiers and the ocean; but when at length,
in the summer of 1814, the enemy entered the
Chesapeake, and attempted to ravage the borders
of Virginia by various petty predatory incursions,
the resistance offered by the local militia was
worthy of the ancient reputation of the state.
Hostilities terminated a few months later. On
the 24th of December, 1814, a treaty of peace
was signed at Ghent, which was ratified by the
United States on the 17th of February, 1815.
The subsequent history of Virginia is not
marked by any event of historical importance
until the year 1829, when a general convention
was called for the purpose of revising the old
state constitution.  The number of eminent men
who occupied seats in this convention, gave a
peculiar interest and importance to the minutes
28*



330         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.       [1831.
of its proceedings; for, prominent among its
members were ex-presidents Monroe and Madison,
and Chief Justice Marshall-all three of whom
had taken part in the formation of the original
constitution.
It might have been supposed that the labours
of a convention, composed almost wholly of the
most distinguished men in Virginia, would have
resulted in framing a constitution so well adapted
to the wants of the people as to need no subsequent revision for a long series of years.  Unfortunately, the excess of intellectual force appears
to have been fatal to the production of an instrument so desirable. Although it was ratified by
the people, its many imperfections rendered it so
constant a source of dissatisfaction, that a third
convention was called in 1850, which, after a
warm and protracted session, effected a thorough
revision of the previous constitution, and allayed,
to a considerable degree, the dissatisfaction of
the people of Western Virginia by the adoption
of a different and more equitable basis of representation.
During the year 1831, a great excitement was
created throughout the state by a servile insurrection in the county of Southampton, which,
originating in the fanaticism of one Nat Turner,
led to the massacre of thirty-five persons; but
the terror created by this sudden and sanguinary




1845.]   INTERN AL IMPROVEMENTS.          331
outbreak, was speedily allayed by the arrest and
punishment of the principal offenders.
In the Mexican war, which broke out in 1845,
large numbers of volunteers from Virginia joined
the armies of the Republic, and assisted in gaining that wonderful succession of victories which,
from the banks of the Rio del Norte to the pass
of Angostura, and from the ancient city of Vera
Cruz to the walls of Mexico, were untarnished by
a single defeat.
Almost wholly engaged in agricultural pursuits, the people of Virginia have not, until within
the last few years, become sufficiently aware of
the necessity of adopting that important system
of internal improvements, for which many of her
less wealthy, but more energetic sister states,
have rendered themselves so distinguished. The
public mind, however, has at length become fully
aroused from a condition of apathetic indifference,
to one of active inquiry.  Works of great magnitude, based upon the excellent credit of the
state, are already projected; while the noble
water-power of the James River, for many years
so unwisely neglected, is beginning to attract
that attention from practical business men, which
its admirable capacity for manufacturing purposes
has so long deserved.
The earliest settled of all the confederated
states, Virginia, justly regarded as the birth-place
of a great nation, has become endeared to. the




332         HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.         [1845.
rest of the Union by the romantic incidents connected with her early career; and above all, by
the steadfast manner in which she has always
defended her rights and privileges, as displayed
in Bacon's rebellion, in her systematic endeavours
to retrench the assumed prerogatives of her royal.governors, and in the fearless ardour with which
she placed herself, first among the foremost, in
constant and unwavering opposition to British
oppression.
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