fore the house, a detail of which more properly belongs to a general history of the revolution.

The public mind, now writhing under the lash of ministerial arrogance, awaited only the word of her rulers to plant the standard of revolt, and array her forces against the power and pride of Britain. In consequence of the hostile appearances in some of the colonies, orders were issued to the provincial governors to deprive the people of the means of resistance, by removing the military stores to places of security.

In compliance with this order, governor Dunmore, whose mind was assailed by terrors, often the companions of an unsound heart, removed the powder from the magazine in Williamsburg, and placed it on board the Magdalen man of war. This measure excited a ferment among the people of the town, who assembled for the purpose of demanding restitution. They were prevailed on, however, to disperse, and a remonstrance was presented to the governor against the removal of the powder, which was stated to be necessary to the defence of the

colony, in the event of an insurrection amongst the negroes. The governor gave assurances that the powder should be restored the moment that the public security required it. This answer, unsatisfactory as it was in its nature, seemed to quiet the minds of the people for the moment; but the subsequent conduct of Dunmore was not calculated to restore harmony to the colony. Conscious of having deserved the enmity of the people, he took care to provide against its effects. He removed his family on board the Fowey man of war, fearful of an attack on his palace, which was defended chiefly by parties of negroes whom he had armed as his lifeguard.

The peace of the town was much disturbed by a report, that in case of any tumult the inhabitants were to be massacred. The feelings of the people were wrought up to an alarming height, and not only at the seat of government, but throughout the colony, the dark cloud of war seemed to be gathering fast. At Fredericksburg, the militia took a most menacing attitude. They encamped in the field, armed

and equipt for service, while deputies were sent to ascertain how matters stood at Williamsburg. In several other places preparations were making for marching to the seat of government, in case of necessity. The patriots of Hanover, more zealous than the rest, without waiting for orders, marched with the illustrious Patrick Henry at their head, for the purpose of demanding restitution of the powder which Dunmore had taken from the magazine. By the time they had reached Doncastle ordinary, sixteen miles from Williamsburg, their numbers had increased to near five hundred

men.

The approach of Henry at the head of an armed force excited in the breast of Dunmore the most serious apprehensions. His perilous situation compelled him to ask advice of the council, which at that time consisted of the following persons: William Nelson, president, Mr. Camm, president of the college, Ralph Wormley, colonel G. Corbin, G. Corbin, junior, colonel William Byrd and John Page. It was agreed in council that a deputation should

meet the volunteers, and dissuade them from

entering the town.

Henry in the mean time having halted at the house of colonel G. Corbin, the king's receiver general, obtained from him, chiefly through the influence of a Mr. Braxton, a bill for the amount of the powder. Henry having accomplished the object of his expedition, dismissed his volunteers, and proceeded on his way to the general congress, of which he again had been elected a member.

In consequence of this spirited conduct of Mr. Henry, he was denounced by a proclamation of the governor, and the people of Hanover were forbid to aid or assist him in any seditious measures, under the penalty of being declared rebels. His conduct, however, was applauded by his country, and he had the satisfaction of receiving from different parts of the colony the warmest testimonials of approbation.

While the cloud of war was thus gathering

over Virginia, news arrived that it had already burst in New England. The battle of Lexing

ton, quick as an electric shock, roused the most languid and animated the most patriotic.

The governor of Virginia, no longer thinking himself secure in his palace, took refuge on board the Fowey man of war. This step brought the royal government in Virginia to a close. Lord Dunmore not only refused, on the solicitation of the assembly, to return to the palace, but declined giving his assent to several important bills offered by the assembly for his concurrence. This body now dissolved themselves, most of the members having been elected to the convention about to meet in Richmond. A short time afterwards Dunmore and his family, attended by captain Foy, sailed from Yorktown.

In July 1775 the convention met in Richmond, for the purpose of organizing a pro vincial form of government and plan of defence for the colony. The latter important trust was placed in the hands of a committee of public safety, consisting of the following illustrious characters: Edmund Pendleton, George Mason, John Page, Richard Bland, Thomas Lud