sight, leading citizens were hotly debating the fundamental bases of government. "Shall the will of the people control in the making of a law, or shall it be the pleasure of the King?"

But for that new charter, the mere discussion of the question would smell rankly of treason.

In the debate, victory was won by the popular party; Virginia was to have the essentials of free government.

In the year 1619 (no Pilgrim Fathers yet in sight!) every free man in Virginia who chose to vote did so, and thus chose a representative to the General Assembly at Jamestown, which began to make laws for the people.

Here was the cradle of American democracy!

In this first of representative assemblies held by white men on this continent demand was made for home rule, and two years later that demand was expressly conceded. No orders of the London Company were to be binding on the colony "unless they be ratified by the General Assemblies" of the colony.

This paper bears date 24th July, 1621. What charter of free government in America antedates it?

When Cromwell overturned royalty in England, the Cavaliers of Virginia, loyal to Church and King, remained steadfast. With arms in their hands, they treated for peace with Cromwell's commission

ers. A formal compact was agreed to, put in writing, and signed. The eighth article of that treaty reads:

"Virginia shall be free from all taxes, customs, and impositions whatsoever!" "None shall be imposed without the consent of the Grand Assembly (of Virginia), "and neither forts nor castles shall be erected nor garrisons maintained without their consent."

Here was local independence! Freedom from taxation, freedom of trade, freedom from English troops and forts, home rule through their own representatives!

Is it any marvel that, after Cromwell's time, the minions of a restored and shameless King should attempt to encroach upon the liberties which Cromwell had sanctioned, and that "Great Rebellion" should be the measure of Virginia's resistance?

Young Nathaniel Bacon, land-owning Cavalier, was just as true a patriot when he led the embattled Virginians in 1676 as young George Washington, land-owning Cavalier, was when he led them in 1776. Home rule, civil liberty, just laws, and good government were just as much at the bottom of the quarrel in the one case as in the other.

CHAPTER XXXI

BEGINNINGS OF THE REPUBLIC

WE have already seen how this independent spirit flamed up again in 1764 and 1765, when Nathaniel Bacons all over Virginia left their farms to maintain their rights. We have heard the orator talk and seen the soldier arm. We have learned that in all the colonies the feeling was practically the same, and that nothing was needed but leadership and organization to weld separate committees into a confederation.

We have seen the younger Virginians holding their private meetings, apart from the more conservative members of the Legislature; we have seen them agree upon the Committee of Correspondence, whose mission it will be to knit the threads of continental union.

Whose brain originated the plan? Some claim it for Richard Henry Lee, some for Samuel Adams, some for Jefferson. It is Dabney Carr who came forward to proclaim it, and to advocate it so convincingly that no opposition is heard.

We have seen the first Congress meet and separate, having done little more than establish the

vital fact that the Continental Congress was something more than a suggestion. It was a reality.

Other Congresses follow, and we see the beginnings of nationality. We stand at the head waters. We gaze down, down into the little parent streams with profound interest. With what artful management the colonies are kept in line, taught to keep step! With what diplomacy the front ranks are made to go slow till lagging patriots can be brought up! How careful the extremists are not to frighten the conservatives! Notice that the fiction of “your Majesty's loyal subjects" is maintained to the very last moment, and that the magic word Independence does not slip the muzzle until all the colonists are in line of battle, with George Washington in command.

Then note the earnest reaching out for supports, for outside help. See the anxiety to protect the Western flank from hostile Indians. Nobody's aid is scorned in those days. Every savage has his value. No man is tested as to his religion if he be ready to serve the cause. Baptists can preach now. Quakers are human beings now.

The Indians come to a conference at Easton, Pa. Congress selects a commission to treat with them, and Tom Paine is secretary. They carry a thousand dollars' worth of presents along, to be put where they will do the most good. The conference is held in the German Reformed church.

There is an organ in this church, which is one advantage. We will soothe the savage ear with music. If the rural organ, primitively played, does not reduce the red man to a pliable state of mind, something else must be tried. Rum! So our congressional committee brings along a supply of New England rum. Few are the Indians who can resist this New England beverage.

The organ sounds, the rum barrel is broachedwe will now shake hands, and all take a drink, while the organist plays something appropriate. The official report states that "after shaking hands, drinking rum, while the organ played, we proceeded to business." Wise in their generation were our forefathers!

We have already seen how Congress first denounced Great Britain for surrendering Canada to the Catholics, and then sent influential Catholics to enlist Canada against Great Britain. In vain Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, and the Rev. John Carroll explain and negotiate. The language Congress had used against the Catholic Church was too strong and too recent; the timely concessions England had made to the Church were too valuable; Canadian Catholics decided to let well enough alone. No help could be had from the North. But in another part of the sky there was a rift in the cloud. France, though bound to England by solemn treaty, was smarting from the wounds Great