University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER X

THE RESTORATION TAKES PLACE AND THE LOYAL COLONY
IS OPPRESSED TILL IT IS READY TO REVOLT

The Restoration. — In May, 1660, Charles II. ascended
the English throne; and the event caused much joy in
Virginia. Even before the Commonwealth came to an
end, it is said that Sir William Berkeley invited the king;
who was living in exile in Holland, to come to the colony,
and raise his standard. From this, it is supposed, the
country obtained the name of "Old Dominion"; for it
was a place "where the king was king, or might have
been, before he was king in England." There is a tradition
that Charles II., at his coronation, wore a robe made
of silk from Virginia, in token of his appreciation of her
loyalty.

Berkeley's Return to Power. — Early in 1660, when it
became evident that the end of the Commonwealth was
drawing near, the House of Burgesses elected Berkeley
governor; and the first act of Charles II., in regard
to colonial matters, was to confirm the appointment of
the stanch old royalist by sending him a commission.

Why Attached to Royalty. — This devotion to the king
seems inconsistent with the principles of popular freedom,
which the people had so cherished that they had almost
unconsciously developed a republican form of government;
but it must be remembered that their experience with royalty
had thus far been encouraging; for under Charles I.

Coronation of Charles II

they had been practically independent, and during the
interregnum, the Commonwealth left their liberties untouched.
From Charles II. they had a right to expect
the very best treatment; but they were doomed to bitter
disappointment.

The Navigation Laws. — Parliament, in 1660, at the very
first session held after the Restoration, decided to put into
operation navigation laws to secure to England a monopoly
of the colonial trade. These measures required that
all tobacco exported from Virginia should be shipped in
English vessels going to England, and that all foreign
goods imported must be brought to Virginia in English
ships. This policy stopped the free trade which Virginia
had for some time enjoyed with the world, and worked
the greatest injustice. When it went into operation, the
result was that a ring of some forty or fifty English merchants
had the whole trade in their hands, and reaped

almost all the profit that came from the production of
tobacco, fleecing alike the rich and the poor. Tobacco fell
to a low price, while the cost of all imported goods was
greatly enhanced. The colony sent Governor Berkeley to
England to protest against the enforcement of these unjust
laws; but he returned without accomplishing his mission,
though he secured some very advantageous patents for
himself.

The Royalists in Power in the Colony. — Even in Virginia
a radical change took place after the Restoration.
During the Commonwealth, the impulses for the advancement
of the masses, which had been stirring England and
the world at large, had been quietly at work in the colony,
and had caused greater consideration to be shown to the
common people, as is evidenced by the character of the
colonial legislation that took place during this period.
Now all this was changed; and it is not hard to see why
it was so, if it be remembered that Virginia was but a part
of England transplanted, and contained the same differences
in society. The germ of an aristocracy had existed
from the first settlement, and its rising power had been
much increased by the emigrant royalists who came over
during the interregnum. With the Restoration, this aristocracy
came into power. A political revolution had taken
place in Virginia, which proved fatal to many of the rights
and privileges cherished by the people.

Oppressive Colonial Legislation. — The House of Burgesses
quietly repealed the law which conferred upon
the members a term of service extending through only
two years, and thus legislated itself into an indefinite
continuance of power. The government was now
conducted in an expensive manner. All the officers re-taxed

to pay them. Oppressive taxes were levied also
for other purposes, such as for arms and ammunition, to
provide cannon and to maintain forts. The people could
not see that the funds were always used for the purposes
for which they were raised. They did see, however, that
Governor Berkeley and his friends grew continually richer.
Not only the taxes themselves, but the method by which
they were levied caused the greatest dissatisfaction. They
were laid, not on property, but on persons. They were
poll taxes so heavy that they proved an intolerable burden
to the poor, while the rich felt them but little. Religious
intolerance came in also to increase the general discontent,
laws being enacted which punished severely all dissenters.
Finally, even political rights were abridged. In 1670,
the right of suffrage, which for fourteen years had been
enjoyed by all freemen, was restricted to freeholders and
housekeepers.

Obstinacy of Berkeley. — In vain did the people protest
that the Burgesses no longer represented them, and call
for a new election. Berkeley persistently refused to dissolve
a House which proved so subservient to his will,
saying, in explanation of his refusal, that they were more
valuable on account of their experience than new men
would be. For twelve years complaints were sent to
England against Berkeley, but they availed nothing. At
last patience ceased to be a virtue, and there were indications
enough that the people, exasperated by their
multiplied grievances, were ready to rise against their
oppressors; but Berkeley heeded not the mutterings of
the storm that was gathering.

Criminal Prodigality of Charles II. — Oppression, unjust
legislation, and robbery under the form of law were surely
enough to exasperate a people so liberty-loving as the Virginians;

but this was not all. The king, to whom they
had been ever loyal, showed himself so utterly indifferent
to their rights, that a large part of the population felt
insecure in the possession of their homes. Charles II.,
while wandering in exile, soon after the execution of his
father, had granted to a number of distressed Cavaliers
the stretch of country between the Rappahannock and the
Potomac rivers, known as the Northern Neck, by which
act he gave to his favorites much land that had been long
in cultivation. But now he committed an act that surpassed
all others in prodigality. In 1673 he gave to Lords
Culpeper and Arlington "all that entire tract, territory,
and dominion of land and water called Virginia, together
with the territory of Accomack," for the term of thirty-one
years. All rents and escheats were to belong to them,
as was the power to convey all vacant lands and, indeed,
to manage matters in general as they wished.

Ready for Revolt. — When this act of the king became
known, loud was the outcry raised against it. The whole
population rose in protest. They had been loyal to
the king in the past; but now they were only kept from
breaking out in open rebellion by the efforts of influential
men, who restrained them. The House of Burgesses in
alarm dispatched envoys to England to bring about a
change in the terms of the grant or else to buy it up for
the benefit of the colony.

QUESTIONS

• 1. How was the news of the restoration of Charles II. received in
  Virginia?

• 2. From what incident is Virginia supposed to have obtained the
  name of Old Dominion?

• 3. What tradition is given in connection with the coronation of
  Charles II.?

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• 4. By what authority did Berkeley again assume charge of the government?

• 5. Why was Virginia so attached to royalty?

• 6. Did she receive considerate treatment from the king?

• 7. What were the Navigation Laws?

• 8. How did the English merchants take advantage of these laws?

• 9. What action did the colony take, and with what result?

• 10. Under the Commonwealth, what advancement of the masses took
  place?

• 11. What change occurred after the Restoration?

• 12. Give an account of the oppressive colonial legislation.

• 13. Why did Governor Berkeley persistently refuse to dissolve the
  House of Burgesses?

• 14. What was the result of his obstinacy?

• 15. Why did the people feel insecure?

• 16. While in exile, what part of Virginia had Charles II. given away?

• 17. What was his crowning act of prodigality?

• 18. When this became known, what did the people do?

• 19. How did the House of Burgesses quiet them?