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The SECOND SERIES of this JOURNAL began with January, 1846.
CONTENTS OF THE NUMBER FOR SEPTEMBER.

F. SHEPHERD on the Geysers of California.
Review of Prof. Burke's Report on the Coast
Survey.

J. D. DANA, on Coral Reefs and Islands.

E. W. BLAKE, on the Flow of Elastic Fluids. through Orifices.

Prof. HOSFORD, Relation of Chemical Composition and Taste.

Foucault's Pendulum Experiment.

J. D. DANA, on a case of Isomorphism.

Mineralogical Notices.

Review of Foster & Whitney's Geology of the
Lake Superior Copper Region.

R. J. MURCHISON, on former Changes in the Alps.
C. S. LYMAN, on the Pendulum Experiment.
B. SILLIMAN, Jr., Notes from Europe; on Vesu-
vius; the Grotto del Cane; Meteorological
Observatory of Vesuvius; Gilland's method
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AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ARTS.

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CONTENTS OF THE NUMBER FOR NOVEMBER.

Prof. D. Olmsted on the Zodiacal light; Dr. Lumsdaine on the Cultivation of Nutmegs and Cloves; J. D. Dana on Coral Reefs; Prof. A. D. Bache on the Tides of Cat Island, Gulf of Mexico; Prof. Safford on the Geology of Tennessee; Dr. J. L. Smith on the Thermal Waters of Asia Minor; Dr. Goadby on the Preservation of Animal Substances; C. S. Lyman, a review of the results on the Pendulum Experiment and the Modes of Experimenting; also various Mineralogical Articles; Selections from the Proceedings of the British Association, and abstracts of accounts of recent discoveries in Chemistry, Physics, &c., &c.

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VOL. XVII.

RICHMOND, OCTOBER & NOVEMBER, 1851. NOS. 10 & 11.

LIEUT. GOVERNOR SPOTSWOOD

AND THE

VIRGINIA BURGESSES.

AN UNPUBLISHED HISTORICAL EPISODE.

the freeholders, generally spoke their sentiments, either illiberal or refined. The standing revenue, which had been established at the restoration, and which now produced four thousand pounds sterling, being unequal to the payment of the civil list and other contingent charges, was aided by three hundred pounds from the quit-rents, the private estate of the king. The aborigines had long ceased to be objects of dread, since they were now subjected to vassalage; the alien Indians were overawed by a militia of fifteen thousand men, formidable to them, though unfit for regular service. And, secured from foreign and internal foes, and protected in their privileges, the Virginians augmented their numbers, their commerce, their wealth and their power, during the inattentive administration of George I., beyond the example of other colonies.

The following extract from "Chalmers' Colonial History," is a fit introduction to the Journal of the Council of Virginia, (sitting as the upper house of Assembly,) contained in the succeeding pages. This Journal was obtained from the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and, with the exception of some immaterial entries, is a complete copy of the original. It is deemed of some value, as giving a juster view than can "It is to be lamented, that they continued to otherwise readily be had of the rather anomalous be too much animated by the unhappy principles which they had imported from the north during constitution of the Colony at that day, in its the reign of William, and by the seditious expractical working, of the energetic, though some- ample that had been recently set before them by what haughty spirit, of Lieut. Governor Spots- their neighbors on the south. Owing to these wood, (perhaps the best loved and honoured causes, the provincials chose such burgesses as name among the Colonial Governors of Virginia,) had declared their resolution to raise no taxes and of the liberty-loving but factious disposition this temper, during the session of 1715, they exAnd, urged by any occasion whatsoever.'* of the House of Burgesses. It will also, taken pelled two members for having the generosity to in connection with the notes appended, particu- serve without pay, which they termed bribery.' larly note A, give a better knowledge than can It is apparent from the proceedings of both parbe gained from any history, of the almost desperate condition of South Carolina at that period, from a general combination of the Indians in and around her, and of the imminent danger to Virginia, apprehended by the Governor from the same source. Upon this last point Chalmers is incorrect, stating as he does that the Indians had ceased to be objects of dread in Virginia. But to return to the extract from his history.

for

ties, during that convention, more remarkable for its votes than its laws,' that they were all actuated by faction. Conscious of the superiority of his talents and the independence of his station, Spotswood offended by his neglect the counsellors' pride, and by his haughtiness, the rising spirit of the burgesses. When measures were therefore proposed, that reduced the goveruor to the dilemma of either disobeying his instructions or raising popular clamor, he dissolved, with unjustifiable circumstances of contempt, an assembly, which had exhausted five weeks in "Divided already [in the first year of George fruitless altercation. Though the Board of Trade I.] into twenty-five counties, this Dominion en- commended his general conduct, they disapprojoyed a royal government; composed of a gov-ved of his speech to the burgesses, who, though ernor appointed by the King, who nominated inferior magistrates; of twelve counsellors, who, created by the regal mandate, enjoyed, from the constitution, considerable authority and aimed at greater;* of fifty-two burgesses, who, elected by

*Their assent was necessary to all the Governor's official acts; they constituted one branch of the Assembly; they exercised the principal judicial authority as judges of the General Court; they were at the head of the militia as lieutenants of the counties; they acted as

collectors of the export duty on tobacco and the other provincial imposts, and generally also, of the parliamentary duties, while they farmed the king's quit-rents at a very favorable bargain."-Hildreth's U. States, vol. 2, P. 234.

VOL. XVII-74

mean, ignorant people, and did not comply with his desires, ought not to have been irritated by sharp expressions, which may not only incense them, but even their electors." From the date of that event, anonymous letters were constantly transmitted against him to the Board, who gave him an opportunity of evincing, by the vigor of his answers, that the province prospered under a wise administration, though trivial discontents ved. And, while Spotswood complained of this had arisen from petty offences given and receitreacherous method of assaulting his reputation,'

* These quotations are probably made from Governor Spotswood's letters to the Board of Trade.

71, 72.

he insisted, that some men are always dissatis-gesses of freedom in their persons and estates fied, like the tories, if they are not allowed to from arrests and other disturbances, that in all govern; men who look upon every one not born their debates they may have liberty of speech, in the country as a foreigner.'*-Vol. II., PP and as occasion requires free access to the Governor's person, assuring his Honor that this House At a General Assembly, begun and held at the of Burgesses will endeavour to merit the continCapitol, the third day of August, in the first year uance of those privileges by behaving themselves of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George, by as become dutifull subjects to his majesty, and the grace of God of Great Britain, France and discharging the great trust reposed in them acIreland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.-cording to the oaths they have now taken. Annoq. Dni. 1715.

PRESENT.-The Hon'ble Alexander Spotswood, His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor; Robert Carter, James Blair, Philip Ludwell, John Smith, John Lewis, Wm. Cocke, Nathan'll Harrison, Mann Page and Robert Porteus, Esqrs.

William Cocke, Mann Page and Robert Porteus, Esqrs., appointed by the Governor's commission to administer the oaths enjoined by law to the Burgesses returned to serve in this Assembly, reported that they had accordingly administered the said oaths to forty-nine members of the House of Burgesses, who are now mett in their

House.

Ordered:

That the Clerk of the General Assembly go to the House of Burgesses and command their immediate attendance on the Governor in the Council Chamber.

The Burgesses attending, the Governor spoke

as follows:

"Gentlemen :-The first step to be proceeded in towards the business for which you are assembled is that you, Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses, repair to your House and make choice of a Speaker."

To which the Governor answered: "Gentlemen,-I have no intention to invade any of your priviledges, and you may depend that all the just rights and priviledges enjoyed by any former House of Burgesses shall be confirmed and continued to this."

After which the Governor made the following speech:

"Gentlemen of the Council and

66

House of Burgesses:

Nothing less than a very important occasion could have urged me thus suddenly to call an Assembly and to convene you at this season of the year. I judged it high time to have recourse to your advice and assistance when the safety and honour of this Colony lyes dangerously at stake.

"What has lately befallen our fellow-subjects in South Carolina, is surely a dreadful warning to this government, whose inhabitants live as much exposed and I am not now to whisper to you (as formerly) my apprehensions of future dangers and practicable attempts: Murders, massacres and tortures already committed on your neighbours, loudly call upon you to arm and seA message from the House of Burgesses to the cure your people from a treacherous and merciGovernor, by Mr. Corbin and others, that the less enemy: and after such an ultima ratio, such House had made choice of a speaker, and wait-ultimate reasoning, words must add little towards ed his Honor's commands when to present him. convincing you of the necessity of a more useWhereupon the Governor was pleased to ap- full militia, and of providing better for the depoint to-morrow at 11 o'clock in the Council fence of your frontiers. Chamber. Since you, Gentlemen of the Council, have And then the Council adjourned till to-morrow concurred with me in all the measures hitherto morning, ten o'clock.

THURSDAY, AUGUST THE 4TH, 1715. Present as yesterday.

The House of Burgesses (according to order) attended the Governor in the Council Chamber, and presented Daniel McCarty of the County of Westmoreland, Gent., as their Speaker, who being approved by the Governor, made the usual Petitions for the ancient priviledges of the Bur

*From the succeeding part of Chalmers' account of this administration, it appears that these attacks upon Spotswood were continued until his removal was procured.

taken for the relief of our distressed brethren in South Carolina, and have resolved with me to afford them all the assistance that lyes in our power to give, it now rests solely on you, Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses, to determine whether or no that oppressed province shall owe its deliverance to Virginia.

"I question not but in the deliberations of your House, you'll find that duty, honour and interest engage you to give immediate succour, and I hope these motives will enable you to overcome the difficultys which humour or prejudice may cast in the way.

"It is the maxim of your mother country, to defend its neighbouring States (though foreign