VI. 1767. Takes an early and decisive part ish aggres against Brit sions. British writers have asserted, and perhaps believed, that CHAPTER Washington's sentiments did not harmonize with those of the leaders, who resisted the aggressions of the mother country at the beginning of the great struggle for independence, and that he was brought tardily into the measures of opposition. This opinion probably arose from the circumstance of his name not being mentioned among the conspicuous actors, and was strengthened by the spurious letters ascribed to him in the first part of the war, of which more will be said hereafter. These letters were first published in England, and so artfully written, that they might easily mislead those, who were willing to be deceived on the side of their prejudices and wishes. It is nevertheless true, that no man in America took a more early, open, and decided part in asserting and defending the rights of the colonies, and opposing the pretensions set up by the British government. In the Virginia legislature he went heart and hand with Henry, Randolph, Lee, Wythe, and the other prominent leaders of the time. His opinions and his principles were consistent throughout. That he looked for a conciliation, till the convening of the first Congress, and perhaps till the petition of that Congress had been rejected by the King, there is no doubt; and so did Franklin, Jay, Jefferson, John Adams, and probably all the other master spirits, who gave the tone to public sentiment and action. His disapprobation of the Stamp Act was expressed in unqualified terms. He spoke of it, in a letter written at the time, as an "unconstitutional method of taxation," and "a direful attack on the liberties of the colonists." And subsequently he said, "The repeal of the Stamp Act, to whatever cause owing, ought much to be rejoiced at; for, had the Parliament of Great Britain resolved upon enforcing it, the consequences, I conceive, would have been more direful than is generally apprehended, both to the mother country and her colonies. All, therefore, who were instrumental in procuring the repeal, are entitled to the thanks of every British subject, and have mine cordially." Disapproves the Stamp Act. VI. 1769. CHAPTER He was present in the Virginia legislature, when Patrick Henry offered his celebrated resolutions on this subject. I have found no record of his vote; but it may be presumed, from his well known sentiments, and from his frankness in avowing them, that he stood in the ranks of the patriotic party, to which he ever afterwards rendered his most zealous support. Stamp Act followed by others equally ob Although the Stamp Act was repealed, yet the abettors of that act, so odious to the colonies, were not influenced jectionable. in yielding the point by any regard to the absolute merits of the question, but by motives of expediency for the moment, being resolved to seize the first opportunity to renew the measure, and prosecute their scheme for raising a revenue in America by taxing the people without their consent. They asserted the unlimited control of Parliament over every part of the British dominions; and the doctrine, hitherto considered as one of the vital elements of the British constitution, and the main pillar of British freedom, that no subject of the realm could be taxed except by himself or his representatives, was virtually declared inapplicable to the colonies. It was no wonder that a people, habituated to self-government and nurtured in the atmosphere of liberty from the very origin of their political existence, should revolt at such an assumption, and be roused to a defence of their rights. Agreements not to im goods. The act of Parliament imposing duties on tea, paper, port British glass, and painters' colors, imported into the colonies, was in reality a repetition of the Stamp Act in another form. It was thus understood by the people, and produced universal indignation and alarm. Spirited resolves were immediately adopted in Massachusetts and other colonies, expressing a determination not to submit to this act. Articles of agreement were at the same time entered into, called Associations, by which those who subscribed them were bound not to purchase or use the manufactures of England, and other goods imported from that country, except in cases of the most urgent necessity. It was thought this measure, if effectually pursued, would cramp the A VI. British commerce, and distress the manufacturers and mer- CHAPTER chants to such an extent, as to open the eyes of the government to the impolicy, if not to the iniquity, of the course they had begun. 1769. the agree to import goods. The spirit of discontent and opposition diffused itself Approves rapidly in all the provinces. In the month of April, 1769, ments not just before the assembling of the Virginia legislature, Colonel Washington received sundry papers, containing the resolves and proceedings of the merchants of Philadelphia. These papers he communicated to his neighbor and friend, George Mason, accompanied by a letter, in which he declared his own opinions in a tone of energy and decision, that could leave no room to doubt, as to his sense of the matter, and the ground he was prepared to take. "At a time," said he, "when our lordly masters in Great Britain will be satisfied with nothing less than the deprivation of American freedom, it seems highly necessary that something should be done to avert the stroke, and maintain the liberty which we have derived from our ancestors. But the manner of doing it, to answer the purpose effectually, is the point in question. "That no man should scruple, or hesitate a moment, to use arms in defence of so valuable a blessing, is clearly my opinion. Yet arms, I would beg leave to add, should be the last resource, the dernier resort. We have already, it is said, proved the inefficacy of addresses to the throne, and remonstrances to Parliament. How far, then, their attention to our rights and privileges is to be awakened or alarmed, by starving their trade and manufactures, remains to be tried. "The northern colonies, it appears, are endeavoring to adopt this scheme. In my opinion it is a good one, and must be attended with salutary effects, provided it can be carried pretty generally into execution." These sentiments were cordially reciprocated by Mr. Mason, who agreed that steps ought immediately to be taken to bring about a concert of action between Virginia and the northern colonies. This gentleman, who afterwards April 5. Presents arsociation to Burgesses. ticles of As the House of VI. 1769. CHAPTER drafted the first constitution of Virginia, and was a skilful writer, drew up a series of articles in the form of an Association. The Burgesses met in May, and, as Mr. Mason was not then one of their number, Washington took charge of the paper, with the view of laying it before the Assembly. As soon as the Burgesses had come together, and gone through with the forms of opening the session, they proceeded to consider the late doings of Parliament, and passed several bold and pointed resolves, denying the authority of Parliament to impose taxes and enact laws hostile to the ancient liberties of the colonists. The governor, Lord Botetourt, deservedly popular for his amiable manners and the real interest he felt in the welfare of the people, and at heart opposed to the ministerial pretensions, could not, in justice to his sovereign and the trust reposed in him, silently witness these symptoms of disaffection and disobedience. He went the next day to the Capitol, summoned the Burgesses to meet him in the council chamber, and there dissolved the Assembly. Not intimidated by this exercise of the prerogative, although a virtual reprimand, they forthwith repaired in a body to a private house, and unanimously adopted the non-importation agreement, which had been prepared by George Mason, and presented by Washington. Every member subscribed his name to it, and it was then printed and dispersed in the country for the signatures of the people. Assembly dissolved. Non-importation agreement adopted. May 18. Scrupulous ly observes the agree ment. Secures the claims of the soldiers to public lands. Washington was scrupulous in observing this agreement; and, when he sent his customary annual orders to London for goods to be used in his family, he strictly enjoined his correspondents to forward none of the enumerated articles, unless the offensive acts of Parliament should in the mean time be repealed. In the midst of his public engagements, another affair, extremely vexatious in its details, employed much of his attention. The claims of the officers and soldiers to lands, granted by Governor Dinwiddie as a reward for their services at the beginning of the French war, met with innumerable obstacles for a long time, first from the ministry VI. 1770. in England, and next from the authorities in Virginia. By CHAPTER his unwearied exertions, however, and by these alone, and mostly at his own expense, the matter was at last adjusted. Nor did he remit his efforts, till every officer and private soldier had received his due proportion. Where deaths had occurred, the heirs were sought out, and their claims verified and allowed. Even Vanbraam, who was believed to have deceived him at the capitulation of the Great Meadows, and who went as a hostage to Canada, thence to England, and never returned to America, was not forgotten in the distribution. His share was reserved, and he was informed that it was at his disposal. visit the lands. While this business was in progress, Washington re- Resolves to solved to visit the western lands in person, and select for western the surveys such tracts as would have an intrinsic value, both in regard to their location and quality. This was the more important, as it was necessary to take the land in large tracts, and then divide it according to a prescribed ratio. Ohio. Oct. 5. In the autumn of 1770, accompanied by his friend, Tour to the Dr. Craik, who had been his companion in arms at the battles of the Great Meadows and of the Monongahela, he performed a tour of nine weeks for this purpose. Proceeding to Pittsburg on horseback, he there embarked in a canoe, and descended the Ohio River to the Great Kenhawa, a distance of two hundred and sixty-five miles. He was at At that time there were no inhabitants on the Ohio below Pittsburg, except the natives of the forest. A few traders had wandered into those regions, and land speculators had sent out emissaries to explore the country, but no permanent settlements had been formed. tended down the river by William Crawford, a person accustomed to the woods, and a part of the way by Colonel Croghan, distinguished for his knowledge of Indian affairs. The voyage was fatiguing and somewhat hazardous, as they were exposed without shelter to the inclemencies of the weather, and no one of the party was experienced in the navigation of the stream. At night they landed and Proceeds down the Ohio River in a canoe. |