moderator of the meeting, Robert Carter Nicholas, be empowered to convene the delegates at such time and place as he may think proper.

The deputies chosen to represent Virginia in the General Congress were selected with great care, and regard was had not only to their talents and weight of character, but also, it is said, to the diversity of their qualifications. Thus Peyton Randolph was recommended by his personal dignity and acquaintance with the rules of order: George Washington, by his military talents and experience: Richard Henry Lee, by his persuasive oratory: Patrick Henry, by his spiritstirring eloquence, and because, moreover, he was the man of the people. Richard Bland was deemed the best writer in the colony. Edmund Pendleton was chosen for his consummate prudence, as well as thorough knowledge of law; and Benjamin Harrison, as fairly representing the feelings and interests of the wealthy planters.*

It had been arranged by the Corresponding Committees that the General Congress should meet at Philadelphia on the first Monday in September, (the 4th,) and to this Assembly the eyes of all America were now anxiously turned; for it was obvious to the most unreflecting, that it must be only by united councils that the colonies could look for the redress of their wrongs, whether Great Britain was to be con ciliated or resisted. On the appointed day, all the pro vinces, from Massachusetts to South Carolina, inclusive, except North Carolina, were found to be represented in Philadelphia; and on the following day they assembled at Carpenter's Hall, in Chestnut-street; chose Peyton Ran

*These gentlemen were all selected from the tide-water portion of Virginia, except Patrick Henry, who was on the outer skirt of it; and it may serve to mark the change which sixty years have made to state, that this portion now comprehends little more than six of the twenty-one congressional districts in the state.

dolph, president; and organized themselves into a deliberate Assembly. The delegates from North Carolina attended on the 14th.

This body, consisting in all of fifty-five members, representing the rights and interests of nearly three millions of people, soon proved themselves worthy of the high trust confided to them. The debate was opened by Patrick Henry, of whose masterly display, as well as of the whole scene, Mr. Wirt has given a vivid and graphic description, in accordance with the tradition of the time. After some days' deliberation, they agreed on a declaration of rights set forth in ten resolutions, all of which, except two, passed unanimously. They afterwards entered into a non-importation, non-consumption, and non-exportation " Association," not widely different from that which had been adopted by the Virginia Convention: they prepared solemn addresses to the King; to the people of Great Britain; to the inhabitants of British America, their constituents; and to the people of Canada; and lastly, they addressed letters to the several colonies of St. John's, Nova Scotia, Georgia, and the Floridas, inviting them to join in the common cause. Amidst these more weighty concerns, they did not fail to express their sympathy for " the sufferings of their countrymen in Massachusetts-Bay;" and their wishes that contributions for the people of Boston should be continued throughout the colonies.

All the proceedings of this illustrious body are marked with ability, dignity, and zeal, tempered with discretion. It seemed as if the love of country had filled their hearts and minds with a wisdom and purity of purpose suited to the greatness of the occasion. The papers they sent forth to the world supported the claims of the colonists with a force of reasoning which carried conviction to the understanding, and in that style of manly cloquence which only truth and VOL. I.

justice can attain. While these illustrious patriots thus inspired their countrymen with confidence and enthusiasm, they added respect to the sympathy which had been previously felt for their cause by the more liberal-minded in England, and the votaries of civil liberty every where. This first congress has always been to Americans an object of honest pride, unalloyed with censure or regret; and if its acts be subjected to the strictest scrutiny, now that every feeling of the time has passed away except the love of country, and that no longer mounts to a passion, it seems to have well merited the high eulogy it universally received. Among its members, the Virginia orators, Henry and Lee, bore the palm for eloquence in debate; but, for that of the pen, the first place must unquestionably be awarded to Mr. Jay, of New York; and the second, to the author of the petition to the King, who, according to Mr. Jefferson,* was Mr. Dickinson, of Pennsylvania. But in the no less essential qualities of sagacity and judgment, of unflinching courage and glowing patriotism, where so many were remarkable, it would be difficult to assign pre-eminence. They adjourned on the 26th of October, sine die, having first recommended to the people that another congress should be held at the same place, on the 10th of the ensuing May.

The convention of Virginia met, according to adjournment, at Richmond, on the 20th of March, 1775. After a full consideration of the proceedings of congress, it unanimously passed on them a vote of approbation, and a vote of thanks to the delegates from Virginia. But as to their future measures, the members manifested the difference already adverted to between the sanguine ardour of youth and the cautious spirit of age, to which, perhaps, we may add the greater tenacity with which the last clings to early habits and attachments. On the fourth day of its session, a me

Wirt's Life of Henry, p. 109.

morial from the Assembly of Jamaica to the King, which exhibited a lively sympathy for the colonists, having been laid before the convention, it passed a resolution highly complimentary to that body, and concluding with the assurance, that it was "the most ardent wish of the colony to see a speedy return of those halcyon days, when they lived a free and happy people." Mr. Henry then offered two resolutions conceived in a very different spirit. The first declared, that a well-regulated militia is the natural strength and only security of a free government; that it would prevent the necessity of a standing army, and remove the pretext of laying taxes for its support;* and that such a militia was peculiarly necessary at that time of " danger and distress." The second required the colony to be immediately put into a state of defence; and appointed a committee" to prepare a plan for the embodying, arming, and disciplining such a number of men as may be sufficient for that purpose."

This decisive step was opposed by most of the older members as premature; but was finally carried by the force of Henry's eloquence, which showed that it was a measure of as much prudence as boldness; and that if they would preserve their liberties," they must fight." A committee of twelve was then appointed, of whom Mr. Jefferson was one, to prepare the plan of defence; and on the following day they reported one which was adopted, and which, by its simplicity, was suited to the limited resources of the country.

It recommended to each county to form one or more volunteer companies of infantry, and troops of horse, "to be in constant training, and readiness to act on any emergency." The counties below tide-water were recommended. to raise troops of horse; and the upper counties to form "a good infantry." Every man was to be provided with * Wirt's Life of Henry, p. 116.

a rifle, if to be had, or otherwise with a common firelock, and the requisite ammunition, and to be clothed in a hunting shirt, by way of uniform." The cavalry equipment was also particularized. To secure a more ample supply of ammunition, the County Committees were recommended to collect as much money as would purchase half a pound of gunpowder, one pound of lead, with the necessary flints and cartridge paper for every titheable person" in the

country.

They then passed an unanimous vote of thanks to Lord Dunmore, for "his truly noble, wise and spirited conduct" on his late expedition against the Indians; and another to the officers and soldiers who had served under him: appointed a committee of thirteen to prepare a plan "for the encou ragement of arts and manufactures :" and re-elected by ballot the former delegates to Congress.

On Monday, the 27th, the Convention adopted the various suggestions of the committee, for the encouragement of arts and manufactures; appointed a committee of five to inquire whether the King could of right "advance the terms of granting the public lands," and recommended to all persons to forbear purchasing on those conditions. This resolution was in consequence of a recent plan of the Governor, to set up all the public lands at auction, subject to a perpetual quit rent of a half-penny an acre, and the reservation of all precious minerals; which plan, besides wasting a copious source of national revenue, would have raised up a class of overgrown landholders, dependent on the Crown. Mr. Jefferson was also a member of this committee. As it was foreseen that Mr. Randolph might, while Congress was sitting, be required to attend the Virginia Assembly, of which he was Speaker, the Convention provisionally appointed Mr. Jefferson a deputy to supply his place. Then, having declared their functions at