LXV.
LXV. NORBORNE BERKELEY.
(BARON DE BOTETOURT.)
LXV. Governor-in-Chief.
LXV. October 28, 1768, to October 15, 1770.
It is said by Bancroft that
"Botetourt, the new Governor of Virginia, arrived on the James River
in the delicious season of the fall of the leaf, when that region enjoys a
many-tinted sky and a soft, but invigorating air. He was charmed with
the scenes on which he entered; his house seemed admirable, the grounds
around it well planted and watered by beautiful rills. Everything was just
as he could have wished. Coming up without state to an unprovided
residence, he was asked abroad every day, and, as a guest, gave pleasure and
was pleased. He thought nothing could be better than the disposition
of the Colony, and augured well of everything that was to happen.
"He was persuaded that the new Assembly would come together in
good humor, which he was resolved not wantonly to disturb."
But the year after Lord Botetourt arrived, the Assembly
passed two resolutions: First, that Virginia would no longer
submit to be taxed by England; and, second, that she would
not send her criminals to England to be tried. Lord Botetourt
knew that Virginia was right in this, but he thought
that his duty to his King compelled him to check what
seemed rebellion. He said to the Assembly: "I have heard
of your resolves, and augur ill of their effects; you have
made it my duty to dissolve you, and you are dissolved
accordingly." But, though the Governor dissolved the
Assembly, he could not disperse its members. The spirit of
freedom was aroused in every patriot breast, and instead of
returning quietly to their homes, the Burgesses met at a
private house in Williamsburg and adopted resolutions which
Washington had brought with him from Mount Vernon, and
"which formed a well-digested, stringent, and practicable
scheme of non-importation, until all the `unconstitutional'
revenue acts should be repealed." They also made a special
covenant with one another not to import any slaves, nor
purchase any imported. These compacts were signed by
Peyton Randolph, Richard Bland, Archibald Cary, Robert
Carter Nicholas, Richard Henry Lee, Washington, Jefferson,
Henry, Carter Braxton, Nelson, and all the Burgesses there
assembled, and were then sent throughout the Colony for
every man to sign.
Virginia stirred the smouldering spirit of Pennsylvania to
endorse her action; Delaware adopted the resolutions of the
Old Dominion, and every Colony south of her followed her
example. So determined were the colonists, that when
some time later a vessel loaded with tea entered Boston
Harbor, a number of citizens disguised as Indians went on
board of the ship at night, and threw overboard three hundred
and forty-two chests of tea.
America confined its issue with Great Britain to the
repeal of the Act imposing a duty on Tea, because of the principle
of the Act, expressed in the preamble.
England was, at this time, in a most perplexed condition
as to her policy. Junius, with his firebrands, had heated the
atmosphere of society; the Ministry often divided, and the
King, unequal to the situation, had almost filled the measure
of colonial dissatisfaction, and Revolution in America, hovering
on the confines of Tyranny, was steadily taking form, and
passing from an idea into an action.
Governor Botetourt having received assurances from the
Earl of Hillsborough, Secretary of State for the Colonies,
that the Ministry would advocate a repeal of the obnoxious
taxes, the relations between the Governor and the colonial
legislative bodies were fully restored; but, soon finding that
he had been misled, Botetourt indignantly demanded his
recall. Shortly after, and it is asserted, on account of his
peculiar embarrassments, he fell sick, and died on October
15, 1770. His death doubtless was hastened by his troubles.
Governor Botetourt was admired and respected by Virginians,
and their appreciation of his worth is shown by their
erecting a monument to his memory at Williamsburg, and
naming one of their most beautiful counties after him. His
example of courtesy and patience in public life, his genial
affability in the social sphere, and of high honor everywhere,
his fidelity to his people, and his noble Christian character,
are still cherished memories among the people he loved so
well.
