University of Virginia Library

William Smith, Governor,

Jan. 1, 1846-Jan. 1, 1849.

He was born in King George County, Virginia, September
26, 1797, son of Caleb Smith and Mary Waugh, his wife. He
was educated at private schools and qualified to practice law
in Culpeper County in 1819. In 1827 he obtained a contract
for carrying the mails twice a week from Fairfax C. H. to
Warrenton, and thence to Culpeper C. H. He renewed the

contract in 1831, and with this small beginning built up a
large business as mail contractor in the Southern States. In a
fierce attack made by the Whigs on the Postoffice Department
as conducted by W. T. Barry, Senator Benjamin Watkins
Leigh referred to Mr. Smith because of the numerous extra
charges made by him as "Extra Billy." The sobriquet became
fixed upon him, but in good sense, as his claims were just,
and well characterized the extraordinary abilities possessed
by him. He was a Democrat in politics, and in 1841-43 he
served in the Congress of the United States. In January, 1846,
he became Governor, and after a service of three years he
removed to California, where he was president of its Constitutional
Convention. He returned to Virginia in 1852,
and in May, 1853, was reelected to Congress, in which he
served until March 4, 1861.

War breaking out soon after, Mr. Smith though sixty-four
years of age offered his services and was appointed by Governor
Letcher Colonel of the Forty-ninth Virginia Infantry.
He bore himself gallantly in numerous engagements and was
promoted to Brigadier and Major General. After a brief service
in the Confederate Congress he was again elected Governor
January 1, 1864, and when Richmond was evacuated in April,
1865, he removed the seat of government to Lynchburg and
afterwards to Danville, surrendering the executive office May
9, 1865. After the war he engaged in farming at Warrenton.
In 1877 though eighty-one years of age he was reelected to
the State Senate and the next year came within a few votes
of election to the United States Senate, and soon after retired
to private life. He was a warm temperance man, abstained
from both tobacco and ardent spirits, and was a model of
politeness and chivalry. He died at Warrenton, Virginia,
May 18, 1887, aged ninety years.

As Governor his administration partook largely of his
characteristic vigor and enthusiasm. The Mexican war was
then in progress, and on all matters connected with it he was
prompt, energetic and progressive. The same spirit animated

him on purely domestic questions. He recommend in the
strongest terms the extension of the old Richmond and Louisa
Railroad, now the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, to the
town of Charlottesville and across the Blue Ridge on to
Covington to connect Richmond with the Southern and Western
States, so as to ensure the trade and travel to that city.
His views were not acted upon at once, but it was not many
years later that they were. He projected and executed valuable
changes and reforms in the capitol square and public grounds,
the utility and beauty of which may be seen to this day.[109]

The treaty of peace was ratified by Mexico May 19, 1848,
and Richmond citizens gave a dinner to the Virginia Regiment
on the return home August 5 of the same year.