VIRGINIA. 1. on the expence of the colony, and appropriated to the safe CHAP. ** a verb The governor returned a verbal answer; that the alarm He retu excited by the reports of an insurrection among the slaves, had caused him to remove the gunpowder, as he did not think it safe where it had been deposited-that in case an insurrection should take place, he would, upon his honor, return it in half an hour; that he had removed it in the night to prevent alarm, and that captain Collins had his express orders for what he had done ; that he was surprised to hear the people were in commotion and, that under such circumstances he did not think it prudent to put arms into their hands. When the corporation reported this answer to t citizens who nad assembled, some with arms, and s without, they peaceably retired to their several h But a report prevailing that the marines were and marching to town, they re-assembled under the magazine; here, a patrole for the nigh pointed, they retired. This mild answer of Dunmore breathed a spirit from that by which he was really a he heard that the people were in arms to the highest degree of passion; he sw God," that if any injury was offered * This seems to be an insinuation t' at the head, or had someknowledge Doctor Pasteur's testimony House of Delegates, M S Journ eme ones. landed arms at . being ap very differen gitated. Whe ie was excitt ore" by the livin to himself or t I. HISTORY OF CHAP. officers who had acted under his directions, in the affait of the gun powder, he would proclaim freedom to the slaves and reduce Williamsburg to ashes. This savage threat he did not attempt to conceal, but sent it by way of message to many of the principal inhabitants of the town. The fears of some were so far excited as to induce them to send their wives and children into the country. Contribu- The citizens of Williamsburg having assembled. resolved tions sub- unanimously to continue their contributions to the Bostonscribe orians, and a subscription for that purpose was immediatenians. ly opened. According to zeal and opulence. these the Besto Dunmore's letter t contributions were furnished in greater or smaller pro- At this time was published a communication from Lord Dunmore to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Wilthe itish liamsburg. December 24. 1774, and laid before the House Ministry of Con mons by Lord North. February 15. 1775-The charges brought forward in this communication against the Virginians, were amply and admirably discussed and repelled by the assembly, on behalf of their countrymen, in one of their addresses to Dunmore, as will be seen hereafter. Communications like these had no inconsiderable effect in determining the British ministry to pursue their measures of aggression and hostility against the colonies. Whether this was the effect of depravity of heart which prompted Dunmore to bring on a contest between the mother country and her colonies; or of weakness of understanding, by which, deceived himself, he deceived others, must be left to the searcher of all human hearts to determine. It would seem however, that Dunmore wished to excite a particular irritation against Virginia. from his stating to the ministry that her representatives were fond of having it believed that they originated all measures of opposition.-From whatever cause it proceeded the British ministry were grossly de Viz. in the Williamsburg papers of the last week in April 175, VIRGINIA. 1. seived with respect to the feelings and character of the CHAP. Virginians, and their ability and determination to endure the severest calamities of war, rather than surrender their liberties. The communication before us enumerates the preparations made in Virginia for defence and self government; reasons upon the improbability of her holding out in the contest; and, is in general, filled with misrepresentations, false reasonings, and erroneous calcula tions. Whatever might have been Dunmore's opinion with respect to the issue of an appeal to arms between Great Britain and her colonies, he soon became satisfied that Such an appeal would be made by the latter rather than submit to taxation without representation. He assembled the council of the colony and addressed them in a speech. He stated that commotions and insurrections had been suddenly excited which threatened the very existence of the royal government in Virginia; that the removal of the gunpowder from the magazine in Williamsburg had been assigned as the only cause of these agitations; that the uneasiness of the public mind was unreasonable, because the powder was now as accessible for any purpose of legal defence, as if it was still in Williamsburg; that a settled purpose had been formed to subvert the regal government, and substitute another in its place -He called upon the council for their advice in this emergency submitted to their consideration the propriety of issuing a proclamation, recalling the people to a sense of their duty, and reminding them of the dangers to which they exposed themselves, by resisting the constituted authorities. The Council informed the Governor that as the subject which he had submitted to their onsideration was of great importance. they would take time to deliberate upon it. The Council assembled at the palace the next day and advised the Governor to issue a proclamation of the following character, which he accordingly did. He reiterated the charges contained in his address to the council; repeated the denunciation that there were certain persons disaffected to the regal government, and who, from their weight with the people, were endeayouring to bring about a change, underpretence of defending their liberties: The reasons which he had before verbally given for the cause and manner of the removal of the gunpowder from Williamsburg, he now repeated with the technical formality and amplitude which an official paper of the kind might seem to require; he declared his readiness to return the powder when the ferment then existing should have subsided, and when, either by inva May 3. The Gove einor issies a pro ciamation. I. HISTORY OF CHAP. sion or insurrection, the circumstances of the colony should render it safe and expedient: he endeavored to excite the fears of the people by adverting to the defenceless situation of the colony, and the dangers to be apprehend ed from the destructive and desolating inroads of the vages, which he declared they were upon the eve of renewing he concluded with many asseverations of his desire to restore peace and harmony to the distracted country. sa Causes of The apprehension and alarm for the safety of the colos th govern nial government, expressed in the speech and proclamation or's alarm. of the Governor, were by no means groundless. Every county in the province was more or less animated with the spirit of patriotism, and resistance to tyranny. The asso eiations for non importation had been carried into operation with the utmost rigor. A committee was chosen in every county, whose business it was to see that the articles of association were carried into effect. The powers of these committees not being defined were almost unlimited. They examined the books of merchants, in order to ascertain whether they imported prohibited articles, or, in consequence of the scarcity of the times. sold their merchandize at a higher price than usual. When prohibited articles were imported, they were sold, and the value returned to the owner; if there was any surplus. it was added to the fund provided for the sufferers at Boston. If they took advantage of the necessities of the people, and sold their articles at a higher price than usual, they were advertised as unfriendly to their country. They kept a vigilant eye upon the conduct of every inhabitant without distinction, and such as were suspected they sent for into their presence, and interrogated them upon every subject which they deemed connected with the public welfare. Such as were found to be disaffected-refused to take the prescribed oath of fidelity -or join the non-importation association-were disarmed, advertised, held up to the odium of the people, and underwent a species of political and social excommunication, as it was considered infamous to be seen in the company of a man disaffected to the American cause. In some cases fines were imposed and these were added to the fund before mentioned. In no case was actual violence used or attempted, by the committees on the body of the people; on the contrary, the strictest attention, not only to the peace of society, but the morals of individuals * Manuscript proceedings of the committee for the county of Northumberland, in my possession. From the transaction of one County, we may form a general character of the whole. VIRGINIA. seems to have been observed. Such as were found guilty of gaming, drinking, or rioting in any manner, were arraigned before the committee, publickly eensured and fined. Their regulations were strictly observed and carried into rigorous execution; and from their decision there was n appeal. A few only of the most obnoxi• → ous Virginian tories were sent into a mild exile, beyond the mountains, by the general committee of safety at Williamsburg. But the county committees did not confine their views to these objects only: they anticipated measuresof defence for the hostility meditated against them. by enlisting, training, officering and as far as practicable, arming the independant companies and minutemen in each county.* Lord Dunmore suggested, in his letter to the British ministry, that these independent companies were formed for the purpose of protecting the several committees, and if occasion required, to act against the government. This latter object was disavowed by the General Assembly in one of their addresses to the governor. It is sufficiently certain now however, that such was the design in forming companies of armed men; if men in their situation could be called armed men. Dunmore added, "they have "proceeded so far in one county as to bind their independent company by an oath to execute all the orders of the "committee." This likewise was positively denied by the Assembly, and various other public bodies, and seems to be improbable, as the name of the county is not specified. In truth every county in Virginia was a sort of little commonwealth; governed by their own local regulations enacted by men of their own choice, arming for their own particular defence, electing their own officers, submitting to a county poll tax for the purpose of purchasing arms, ammunition and military stores, and acknowledging one supreme provincial head in the general committee of safety at Williamsburg; and this provincial head itself forming only one of thirteen federal members, all acknowledging the collective wisdom and sagacity of a general congress of the thirteen United Colonies.-For the first CHAP. 1. * From the arms reported and returned by three companies in the county of Northumberland, some idea may be formed of the situation of the counties below tidewater, in this respect 1st Compan-26 firelocks, one bayonet, two cartridge boxes, four swords, two halberts, 1 pair of colors, 1 drum, 29 hunting shirts, 29 pair of leggings, 52 blankets, 10 Kettles,1 Canteen. 2d company-15 firelocks, one bayonet; 25 hunting shirts. 3d Company-14 firelocks, 10 bayonets, 10 cartrid re boxes; yet Northumberland is a large, opulent and populous county. 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