corps. As these orders were given without a knowledge of the victory, Col. Lewis was proceeding to the destruction of the Shawanese villages, when he was informed that the governor had made peace. The state of exasperation on the part of the colonies and the stubborn determination of the ministry made it manifest that there must soon be some overt act of hostility: this act was first committed in Virginia by its governor, who removed the gunpowder belonging to the colony from the magazine in Williamsburg to his Majesty's ship Magdalen, on the night of the 19th of April, 1775. This act threw the whole colony into a blaze, the people of Williamsburg demanded immediate restitution, and their demands were politely evaded. The citizens of Fredericksburg offered assistance to the town of Williamsburg, which was deemed in danger from the governor, and Patrick Henry marched at the head of a company of Hanover volunteers and forced the king's treasurer to make just compensation for the powder. The governor called a council which advised him to issue a proclamation calling the people to their duty, which he accordingly did, but with an effect so little beneficial to himself, that feeling no longer safe he sent for marines to protect him in his palace, and Captain Montague threatened to fire upon York if the detachment was interrupted. This threat excited in a still greater degree the animosity of the people, whose open and bitter denunciations so alarmed the governor as to make him again have recourse to his council, which advised recourse to an assembly to appease and alleviate the excited wrath of the citizens. The meeting of this assembly at once proclaimed that all confidence between the governor and people was gone, many met in arms, they feared the solemn sanctity of their character would not be respected, and they depended for protection upon their individual prowess. It was a humiliating and exciting spectacle for the people. The governor was alarmed and fled by night to a British ship, and refused upon invitation of the Assembly to return to his palace, or to sign bills presented to him, of the utmost importance to the colony, and refused to perform this branch of his duty unless the assembly would come and hold their meetings under the guns of his ship. In this emergency the governor was declared to have abdicated, and the president of the council appointed to act in his place, and as it appeared that on his retreat he had liberated the Indian hostages without having ratified the treaty, commissioners were appointed to ratify in behalf of the colony. His Lordship after the termination of intercourse between himself and the Assembly, sailed down the river, attempting to enlist citizens against their country, and slaves against their masters. never again resumed his power. From that moment to the present day the people of Virginia have governed themselves. He |