some little time before let out what cash I had by me upon Maryland bonds, with a promise to the gentleman who borrowed it not to call for it soon. I made some large purchase. If I should be lucky enough to receive any considerable sum next summer, I will let you know it.

I beg my compliments to your lady, and am, Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,

To the Hon. Robert Carter, Esq. :
Williamsburg.'

G. MASON.

Lord Botetourt arrived in Virginia in 1768, and much was expected from his gracious manners, his good sense and native kindness of heart. A letter from Col. George Mercer to one of his brothers in Virginia, written just before Lord Botetourt's departure from London, gives an interesting account of him, and presents a hopeful view of the political situation, while it touches upon other matters which are not without value as illustrating the period and its manners.

"DEAR BROTHER.

LONDON, August 16th, 1768.

". . . I have been long under orders to cross the Welsh mountains for the benefit of goat's milk, but have always met with some accident to disappoint the prosecution of that scheme, and though I will allow very readily every other consideration ought to yield to health, yet I have permitted some political and worldly ones to counteract them. Lord Hillsborough has really detained me here for some weeks, and though I cannot exactly tell you what I am at present, yet I am something indeed, perhaps I may be able to tell you what before I close my letter, or you may even hear it from the public. Suffice it at present to tell you I have actually and bona fide been appointed a Lt. Govr. and that nothing prevents the publication of this news, but the very great probability that I may be superseded immediately. Don't stop long at the last line of the page, for when you turn over to this I shall tell you,-the risk I run of losing my present commission is very great, but to be sure not very alarming or disagreeable, as it will be changed for that of Captain General

I MS. Letter.

LETTER OF COL. George MERCER.

133

and Commander-in-chief in and over, etc., but if you have no authentic advices of this change, keep both circumstances to yourself till I clear up the point to you.

"I congratulate you and my country on the appointment of Lord Botetourt to the government of Virginia. Lord Hillsborough, who is indefatigable in his endeavour to do good to the colonies, and be made acquainted with their real situation and complaints-I believe has determined no longer to allow posts in America, but especially governments, to be enjoyed by non-residents, and I know it was the first thing he thought of on entering into his office, to reform this terrible abuse in Virginia. At last thank Heaven he has effected the great work, and surely has given us a strong proof of his opinion of the consequence of an American government, by his appointment of Lord Botetourt; a man of a very amiable character here, remarkable for his very great attention to business, as he was said never to be absent from the House of Commons during twenty years he was a member of it, at reading of prayers or when the house was adjourned, and he has been as remarkable since he came to the House of Peers for his close attendance there. He never was married, has been ever commended for his hospitality and affability, has, I believe, a very independant fortune, and, I know, one of the prettiest seats in England, as I have often visited it with great pleasure. You'll find his Lordship's title a very old one, though he was long kept out of it. He is one of the Lords of the King's Bed Chamber, and has always sat in the chair, since his title was acknowledged, when the Lords have been in a committee. Upon my honor I think from his general character and the small acquaintance I have the honor of with him, no man is more likely to make the people of Virginia happy, nor scarce any one who will be able more and essentially to serve them here, and I do most sincerely rejoice at his appointment.

"His Lordship has employed me as his councillor as to the first arrangement of his family affairs in Virginia, and I have given him the best [advice] I could, and such as indeed it is impossible any one about him could have given. I wrote to your landlord Mr. Nicholson to take the conduct and direction of his Lordship's household till he arrives, and have told him his character. I wish he may be of use to him, however he will

satisfy him genteelly for his trouble now, and will use him in his way of business for the future. I have told his Lordship that it was not impossible but you may have purchased a set of horses for me. If you have he will take them off my hands, and I shall be well quit of that expense. I presume you will of course take the first opportunity of waiting on your new gov ernor, and I have promised for you, even at this distance, that you will cheerfully render him any service, but perhaps he will be more convinced of it, if you tell him so yourself. If you have any worthy industrious young man to recommend as a clerk to the Governor, he must not be a gentleman above his business— perhaps you may get the berth for him. I have told his Lordship that Mr. Walthoe and you will be able to furnish him with one immediately. Remember if you choose to be concerned in the recommendation, that his Lordship is a man of business, and employ no fine, proud young gentleman who will be above his employment.

"I presume you will meet with no opposition in your election, but it may perhaps assist your interest if the people are informed that I have a promise that the accounts due them, since the campaign under General Braddock, and all claims on the Crown shall be paid them. Lord Botetourt can tell you the steps I have taken in that business.

"The resolutions in the House of Burgesses, and Council in Virginia, puzzle the great ones much. Lord Hillsborough has talked to me very often on the subject, and says he doubts they will draw the resentment of Parliament on themselves, and wished frequently to be directed from Virginia not to present them, which he must do if they do not cancel them. I mentioned to his Lordship the unanimity with which they had passed, as he showed me the journals of the House where it was resolved nem. con.; and that no doubt they had maturely weighed the subject before they determined; that none but those who had made the resolutions could withdraw them, and I thought it very improbable a step which had been taken with general consent should be so soon cancelled. I said I would mention his wish if he desired it, but that I had not interest, provided I was inclined to do so, to assist him in obtaining it. But he still persisted after my saying this to him, to declare his desire of their retracting, and recom

THE VIRGINIA ELECTIONS.

135

mended it as the most prudent and salutary step that could now be taken. He has very frequently mentioned his astonishment at the council joining in these representations, as they are all appointed by the King: 'To do justice, my Lord, I hope,' added I. It has been so often reported here that the council were to be dismissed, that I make no doubt it will be wrote over as news to Virginia, but I know from authority no such step has even been thought of yet.

"You mention the difficulty you were in about fixing the price of the Shenandoah land, which from my father's letter I think may very easily be got over. Colonel Lewis, he writes me, was to purchase it. .

"As I know your election will carry you to Hampshire, I enclose you Major Livingston's power of attorney and his papers; it may perhaps fall in your way to talk to some of the people about them, and get some money for him, which you are to reserve for my orders. As we are come to elections, you may from me, and by my authority and request, decline any offer that may be made of electing me in Frederick. I would not serve a set who had showed so little regard for me in my absence, though they were more indebted to me than any man that ever was in their county, not even were they to elect me without a dissenting voice in the. county, and of this I beg you will take the trouble to inform them, for I am as fixed as fate, and therefore will in time save all expense and the chance of an opposition.

"If you receive any money for me it will not be disagreeable to me to have it remitted, as the difficulty of getting money here is inconceivable. If a gentleman merchant lends you, after begging, praying, beseeching, importuning, etc., etc., he is sure to tell it to all the trades, and though you tell him you cannot pay him under six months, he will be sure to ask you for it every week of the time. Thank my God I owe none of the gentry, and it would distress me more to fall in debt to one of them again, than thrice the sum would in the hands of a real gentleman. I should hope I have had the good luck to make some tobacco; it surely bears a good price in Virginia, if not there, it gives a very good one here, but I would rather take a good Virginia price than run the risk of the danger of the seas and the merchant's honesty."

'MS. Letter owned by Wm. R. Mercer.

The appointment which he had received through the influence of Lord Hillsborough, to which Colonel Mercer refers so mysteriously, was that of Governor of North Carolina. He was appointed in 1769 to succeed Governor Tryon, who was sent to New York. But Colonel Mercer did not go to North Carolina after all, and Major Martin, a British officer, became governor of that colony in 1771. The resolutions of the Virginia Assembly which puzzled the great ones in England, were those passed in March, 1768, against the duties on glass, tea, etc. Governor Fauquier had summoned this Assembly, but his death occurring in the meantime, President Blair, of the council, presided over its deliberations, and countenanced its determined action in condemning the duties.

Arthur Lee wrote to his brother from London the year after Lord Botetourt's arrival: "Your governor is becoming very popular, as we are told here, and I have the worst proof of it in the increased orders for fineries from the ladies at this time of general distress in their families.

. If his Excellency introduce such a spirit, I am sure his popularity will be ill-founded." Whether his Excellency was responsi ble or not for the reported extravagance of the Virginia ladies, he was soon to find the Virginia legislators not as complaisant as he could desire. Their resolutions in the spring session of the Assembly for this year, 1769, denying the right of England to tax the colonies, and denouncing the act for transporting colonial offenders to England for trial, so alarmed the good Botetourt, that he incontinently dissolved the House. The delegates then adjourned to the house of Mr. Anthony Hay, in Williamsburg, and passed the Non-importation resolutions of the Association at Williamsburg." These were offered by George Washington, either in person or by deputy, and they were written by his friend and neighbor, the retired planter of "Gunston Hall." Thomson Mason who had been constantly a member of the As

"Writings of Washington," W. C. Ford, vol. ii., p. 263. Mr. Ford thinks it doubtful that Washington was present.