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vailed betwixt those nations in Europe, seemed to extend its influence to their remotest colonies; and peace, so seldom enjoyed at home, was scarcely to be expected to continue on this side the ocean. Accordingly, in the year 1739, hostilities commenced against Spain, and soon after against France. In the commencement of this war the late governor Spotswood was again called into public service, and honoured with the command of the colonial troops. But he did not live to enjoy the returning smiles of royal favour.

Spotswood had been succeeded in the government by sir Hugh Drysdale, who arrived in Virginia in the year 1723, and during whose administration nothing occurred worthy of re

cord.

Drysdale was succeeded in office by Gooch, soon after whose accession an expedition was set on foot against Carthagena. In this unsuccessful attempt Gooch, who had been formerly an officer in the British service, commanded the colonial troops.

About this time (1742) considerable alarm

was excited in Virginia, by the news of a skirmish betwixt a party of Shawanese and a detachment of militia. In this engagement the Virginians lost a captain M'Dowell, and several men. The governor, with the advice of the council, adopted such measures as might prevent aggression from the same quarter. A supply of ammunition was sent to the frontiers, and commissioners appointed to visit the Indian tribes for the purpose of promoting peace.

In the year 1743 the college of Virginia lost her first president, the Rev. James Blair. This learned and eminent divine was born and educated in Scotland, but on account of the unsettled state of religion in that kingdom, he passed over to England near the end of the reign of Charles the Second. He sailed for Virginia as a missionary, in the year 1685, and soon after his arrival was appointed to the highest honours the church could offer in the colony. The establishment of a college in Williamsburg, was in part owing to his exertions, and its subsequent prosperity was much indebted to his zeal in its behalf. In the year

1691 he sailed for England, to procure a charter and the pecuniary aid of government, and his mission was attended with the desired success. Blair was named in the charter as the first president, in which office he continued fifty-one years. He was also ecclesiastical commissary and member of the council about the same number of years.

The vacancy in the council occasioned by the death of Mr. Blair, was filled by the appointment of William Fairfax, son of the proprietor of the northern neck.

By the death of colonel William Byrd, the colony was deprived of another valuable citizen, as well as member of the council. His extensive education and ample fortune threw a lustre round the virtues of his private life. His deathwas a serious loss to Virginia.

In the year 1746 the public buildings in Williamsburg were destroyed by fire, supposed to be the work of some incendiary. In consequence of the destruction of the capitol, the next assembly, agreeably to summons, met in the college. It may be proper to notice here,

a proclamation of the governor, forbidding the meetings of Moravians, Newlights and Methodists, under severe penalties. Enjoying, as we do now, the blessings of a free government, and feeling the influence of principles, the offspring of the revolution, we look back with astonishment, almost with incredulity, on the bigotry and intolerance which so lately influenced the councils of Virginia.*

* There is one sect, the Quakers, to whom the blessings of liberty seem to be mingled with the alloy of intolerance and persecution. The free exercise of their religion is restrained by civil policy, or prohibited by legal sanctions. They are required to conform to the institutions of man by violating the commandments of God. The arguments in favour of this rigid policy go to the destruction of religious liberty, by making the human legislator the judge of our religion, and the arbiter of our conscience. Its advocates say, that in the present state of the world, means of defence against the aggression of enemies are as necessary and as just as are the means to prevent disease or hunger, or any other evil that might obstruct the enjoyment of life; and if it be just that government resist and repel the attacks of

I

About this time a bill was brought forward, and passed in the house of burgesses, for the removal of the seat of government to some more central part of the colony. The governor and council, some of whom possessed property in Williamsburg, refused their assent to a measure which threatened to injure their private interests. The matter was again brought for

enemies, it is equally just that all who enjoy the benefits of this protection should contribute to its support.

But is it not a painful reflection to a republican, enjoy. ing the blessings of liberty, to think that they are so unequally diffused; and that so large a portion of our population should be exposed to the penalties of the law, because they refuse to dip their steel in human blood. It will not much relieve our feelings to recollect that this infringement of liberty of conscience falls on a sect whose innocence almost precludes the necessity of law, and whose meekness might inspire compassion.

The Abbe Raynal, speaking of the Quakers, says, "La fière simplicité de ces nouveaux enthousiastes qui benissoient le ciel et les hommes au milieu des tourmens et de l'ignominiê, inspira de la veneration pour leurs personnes, fit aimer leurs sentimens et multiplia leurs prosélytes."

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