FRANCIS HOWARD, BARON EFFINGHAM.
Francis Howard, Baron Effingham, son of Sir Charles Howard, succeeded
to his title in 1681. He was commissioned Governor of Virginia,
September 28, 1683, and arrived in the Colony and entered upon the
duties of his office, April 16, 1684. He was instructed to prevent the
use of the printing press in Virginia. Owing to the incursions of the Five
Nations upon the frontier of Virginia, it was deemed expedient to treat
with them through the Governor of New York; and for this purpose,
Lord Effingham sailed for Albany the 23d of June, and in July effected
a treaty with the chiefs of the warlike tribes. During Effingham's absence
from Virginia, the Government was administered by Nathaniel
Bacon, Senior, President of the Council.
Effingham, no less avaricious and unscrupulous than his predecessor,
Culpeper, had been, by his tyranny and rapacity aroused a general
spirit of indignation. He prorogued and dissolved the Assembly;
created a new Court of Chancery, making himself a petty lord chancellor;
multiplied fees, and stooped to share them with the clerks, silencing
the victims of his extortions by arbitrary imprisonment. The
prayers for relief of the groaning colonists were at length heard, and
Effingham was recalled, embarking for England, October 20, 1688,
leaving Nathanial Bacon, Senior, President of the Council, in the Government.
Lord Effingham died in England, March 30, 1694.
