The constitution of this committee proves, that in those days of genuine patriotism there existed a mutual and noble confidence, which deemed the opponents of a measure no less wor thy than its friends to assist in its execution. A correspondent, (Mr. Jefferson,) who bore himself a most distinguished part in our revolution, in speaking of the gentlemen whom I have just named, as having opposed Mr. Henry's resolutions, and of Mr. Wythe, who acted with them, says:—

"These were honest and able men, who had begun the opposition on the same grounds, but with a moderation more adapted to their age and experience. Subsequent events fa voured the bolder spirits of Henry, the Lees, Pages, Mason, &c., with whom I went in all points. Sensible, however, of the importance of unanimity among our constituents, although we often wished to have gone on faster, we slackened our pace, that our less ardent colleagues might keep up with us; and they, on their part, differing nothing from us in principle, quickened their gait somewhat beyond that which their pru dence might, of itself, have advised, and thus consolidated the phalanx which breasted the power of Britain. By this harmony of the bold with the cautious, we advanced, with our constituents, in undivided mass, and with fewer examples of separation than perhaps existed in any other part of the union."

The plan for imbodying, arming and disciplining the militia, proposed by the committee which has just been mentioned, was received and adopted, and is in the following terms :—

"The committee propose that it be strongly recommended to the colony, diligently to put in execution the militia law passed in the year 1738, entitled, 'An act for the better regulating of the militia,' which has become in force by the expiration of all subsequent militia laws.

"The committee are further of opinion, that as, from the expiration of the abovementioned laws, and various other causes, the legal and necessary disciplining the militia has been much neglected, and a proper provision of arms and ammunition has not been made, to the evident danger of the community, in case of invasion or insurrection; that it be recommended to the inhabitants of the several counties of this colony, that they form one or more volunteer companies of infantry and troops of horse in each county, and to be in constant training and readiness to act on any emergency.

"That it be recommended particularly to the counties of moved to change the system; and, instead of arming the militia, to raise ten thousand regulars for the war; but the motion was overruled. Chief Justice Marshall says: "I have frequently heard my father speak of Colonel Nicho

as's motion, to raise ten thousand men for the war."

Brunswick, Dinwiddie, Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, Spotsylvania, King George, and Stafford, and to all counties below these, that, out of such of their volunteers, they form, each of them, one or more troops of horse; and to all the counties above these, it is recommended that they pay a more particular attention to forming a good infantry.

"That each company of infantry consist of sixty-eight, rank and file, to be commanded by one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, four sergeants, and four corporals; and that they have a drummer, and be furnished with a drum and colours; that every man be provided with a good rifle, if to be had, or otherwise with a common firelock, bayonet, and cartouch-box, and also with a tomahawk, one pound of gunpowder, and four pounds of ball at least, fitted to the bore of his gun; that he be clothed in a hunting-shirt, by way of uniform; and that he use all endeavour, as soon as possible, to become acquainted with the military exercise for infantry, appointed to be used by his majesty in the year seventeen hundred and sixty-four.

"That each troop of horse consist of thirty, exclusive of officers; that every horseman be provided with a good horse, bridle, saddle, with pistols and holsters, a carbine or other short firelock, with a bucket, a cutting-sword or tomahawk, one pound of gunpowder, and four pounds of ball, at least; and use the utmost diligence in training and accustoming his horse to stand the discharge of firearms, and in making himself acquainted with the military exercise of cavalry.

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That in order to make a further and more ample provision of ammunition, it be recommended to the committees of the several counties, that they collect from their constituents, in such manner as shall be most agreeable to them, so much money as will be sufficient to purchase half a pound of gunpowder, one pound of lead, necessary flints and cartridgepaper, for every titheable person in their county; that they immediately take effectual measures for the procuring such gunpowder, lead, flints, and cartridgepaper, and dispose thereof, when procured, in such place or places of safety as they may think best and it is earnestly recommended to each individual to pay such proportion of the money necessary for these pur poses, as by the respective committees shall be judged requisite.

"That it may happen that some counties, from their situation, may not be apprized of the most certain and speedy method of procuring the articles before-mentioned, one general committee should be appointed, whose business it should be, to procure for such counties as may make application to them, such articles, and so much thereof, as the moneys wherewith they shall furnish the said committee will purchase, after deducting

the charges of transportation, and other necessary expenses." At the same session of the convention, I find that the alert and inquiring spirit of Mr. Henry laid hold of another instance of royal misrule.

Governor Dunmore, it seems, by a recent proclamation, had declared that his majesty had given orders for all vacant lands within this colony to be put up in lots at public sale; and that the highest bidder for such lots should be the purchaser thereof, and should hold the same, subject to a reservation of one halfpenny per acre, by way of annual quitrent, and of all mines of gold, silver, and precious stones. These terms were deemed an innovation on the established usage of granting lands in this colony; and this sagacious politician saw in the proceeding, not only an usurpation of power, but a great subduction of the natural wealth of the colony, and the creation, moreover, of a separate band of tenants and retainers, devoted to the vilest measures of the crown. With a view, therefore, to defeat this measure, he moved the following resolution, which was adopted :

"Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire whether his majesty may of right advance the terms of granting lands in this colony, and make report thereof to the next general assembly or convention; and that, in the meantime, it be recommended to all persons whatever, to forbear purchasing or accepting lands on the conditions before mentioned." Of this committee he was of course the chairman; and the other members were Richard Bland, Thomas Jefferson, Robert C. Nicholas, and Edmund Pendleton, esquires.

The convention having adopted a plan for the encouragement of arts and manufactures in this colony, and reappointed their former deputies to the continental congress, with the substitution of Mr. Jefferson for Mr. Peyton Randolph, in case of the non-attendance of the latter;* and having also provided for a re-election of delegates to the next convention, came to an adjournment. It is curious to read in the file of papers from which the foregoing proceedings are extracted, and immediately following them, this proclamation of his Excellency Lord Dunmore:

"Whereas, certain persons, styling themselves delegates of several of his majesty's colonies in America, have presumed, without his majesty's authority or consent, to assemble together at Philadelphia, in the months of September and October last, and have thought fit, among other unwarrantable proceedings,

*He was speaker of the house of burgesses, a call of which was expected, and did accordingly take place.

to resolve that it wil. be necessary that another congress should be held at the same place on the tenth of May next, unless redress of certain pretended grievances be obtained before that time and to recommend that all the colonies of North America should choose deputies to attend such congress: I am commanded by the king, and I do accordingly issue this my proclamation, to require all magistrates and other officers to use their utmost endeavours to prevent any such appointment of deputies, and to exhort all persons whatever within this government, to desist from such an unjustifiable proceeding, so highly displeasing to his majesty."

This proclamation was published while the convention was in session, and was obviously designed to have an effect on their proceedings. It passed by them, however, "as the idle wind which they regarded not." The age of proclamations was gone, and the glory of regal governors pretty nearly extinguished for ever.

It ought not to be omitted, however, that this very convention passed resolutions complimentary to Lord Dunmore, and the troops which he had commanded in an expedition of the preceding year against the Indians: a compliment which, as we shall see, was afterward found to be unmerited. As the resolution in regard to Lord Dunmore does honour to the candour of the convention, and shows also how little personality there was in the contest, I take leave to subjoin it :

"Resolved, unanimously, That the most cordial thanks of the people of this colony are a tribute justly due to our worthy governor, Lord Dunmore, for his truly noble, wise, and spirited conduct, on the late expedition against our Indian enemy-a conduct which at once evinces his excellency's attention to the true interests of this colony, and a zeal in the executive departinent which no dangers can divert, or difficulties hinder, from achieving the most important services to the people who have the happiness to live under his administration."

Lord Dunmore was not a man of popular manners; he had nothing of the mildness, the purity, the benevolence and suavity of his predecessor. On the contrary, he is represented as having been rude and offensive; coarse in his figure, his countenance and his manners. Yet he received from the house of burgesses the most marked respect.

Thus, in seventeen hundred and seventy-four, while the liberties of the colonies were bleeding at every pore, and while the house was smarting severely, under the recent news of the occlusion of the port of Boston, they paid to Lady Dunmore, who had just arrived at Williamsburgh, the most cordial and elegant attentions, congratulated his Lordship on this increase

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to his domestic felicity; and even, after their abrupt dissolu tion, complimented the inhabitants of the palace with a splendio ball and entertainment, in honour of the arrival of the Count ess Dunmore and her family.

CHAPTER V.

The Export of Powder from Great Britain prohibited-Seizure of the Military Stores in Massachusetts and other Colonics-Magazine at Williamsburgh plundered by Order of Governor Dunmore-Address of the Common Council-Lord Dunmore's Reply-Excitement occasioned by the ProceedingsMr. Henry's View as to the Result of these Events-He is invested with the Command of the Hanover Volunteers and marches for WilliamsburghThe Affair of the Powder Compromised-Lord Dunmore's Proclamation against Mr. Henry.

THE storm of the revolution now began to thicken. The cloud of war had actually burst on the New England states, while as yet the middle and southern colonies were in comparative repose. The calm, however, was deceitful, and of short duration; and, as far as Virginia was concerned, had been occasioned rather by the absence of Governor Dunmore on an Indian expedition, than any disposition on his part to favour the colony. His return to Williamsburgh was the signal for violence.

It seems to have been a matter of concert among the colonial governors, if indeed the policy was not dictated by the British court, to disarm the people of all the colonies at one and the same time, and thus incapacitate them for united resistance.

To give effect to this measure, the export of powder from Great Britain was prohibited; and an attempt was generally made about the same period to seize the powder and arms in the several provincial magazines. Gage, the successor of Hutchinson in the government of Massachusetts, set the example, by a seizure of the ammunition and military stores at Cambridge, and the powder in the magazines at Charlestown, and other places. His example was followed by similar attempts in other colonies to the north.

And on Thursday, the twentieth of April, seventeen hundred and seventy-five, Captain Henry Collins, of the armed schooner Magdalen, then lying at Burwell's ferry, on James river, came up at the head of a body of marines, and, acting under the orders of Lord Dunmore, entered the city of Williamsburgh in