The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-04
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
the FATHER or rHL PRESIDENT ELECT.

Correspondence Of TIC Joarnai Of Commerce.
CHARLES Cry Co, Va, Nov. i6.
gave you, the other day. some accouui of the pa
renlage Of" Tip and Ty" and now send YOU in
teIesling "reminiscences Of Tips father Benjamin
Harrison. have before file OF the old Virginia
Gazette, published at Williamsburg, IN i1Io, wherein
his name frequently This paper, at the tme
was official organ of both parties, and y contains
the procla.nai of 'shs Ezcellcncy the Right Hon
John, Earl Of Dunmore, his majestys Lieut. and LOO
vernon General of the Colony and Dominion oil vir-
ginia, and Vice Admiral Of the same the advertise
ments Of the Kings Receiver General, uging upon
the Shers the collection and payment OF the Kings
Quit together with the proceedings and adj
dresses OF revolutionary conventions IN different colo
MES and counties In the number for March, ~,
l775, find Dunmores Proclamation of the preceding
day denouncing the Continental Congress which bad
assembled in Philadelphia, In September previous, and
resolved that another Congress be held al the same
place the 10th of May then next, recommending
that sll the Colonies in North America should chose
Deputies to attend such Congress" Dunmore, in this
Proclamation, requires = all magistrates and other
officers 10 their utmost endeavors To prevent any
such appointment of Deputies, and to exhot all per
sons whatever within this Government 10 desis from
such an unjustifable proceeding, highly displeas
ing to his majesty" But, in the same paper appear
the proceedings Of the llS Delegates from the counties
and corporations in the Colony Of Virginia, held on
the Doth, 2lst, 22d, 23d, 54th and 18th Of March,
which Convention made arrangements for resisting
the royal authority, and had appointed delegates from
Virginia TO the new Congress
This Convention approved the proceedings OF the
American Continental Congress, and lassed uDsni-
vote OF thanks to the Virginia Delegates, one oil
whom was Benjanin Harrison. Peyton Randolph,
who had been President Of the Continental Congress
was also President of this Virginia Convention, and
Benjamin Harrison was also conspicuous member
of the Convention. Benjamin Harrison was also re-
chosen by the Convention, as one OF the delegates OF
the Colony TO the Congress. Mr.. Jefferson was
member of the Convention, but not, in the first
M dele tn Congress-
but, by subsequent resolution he was appointed one
of the delegates in the Of Peyton Randolph IN
case of the non-attendsnee of the said Randolph
Benjamin Harrison also acted at thus Convention
a member of the Committee to prepare plan for
the encouragement Of arts and manufactures IN tins
Colony" The proceedings on this subject are inte-
resting because they show how early and how earnest
ly Virginia devoted herselfto the encouragement and
protection Of domestic manufactures! The resou,
tons brought in by Mr.. Harrisons committee, and
which were unanimously adopted, ale well worthy oil
preservation Nothing can exceed the force, beauty
and propriety of the preamble which, brief as rs
comprehends the whole tariff argument IL Is as ioi-
lows
Whereas it hath been judged necessary, for the pre-
seryaton Of the just rights and liberties of America
firmly 10 associate against imporiations, and as the
freedom happiness and prosperity OF state greatly
depend providing within itself supply of articles
necessary for subsistence clothing and defence And
whereas it is judged essential at this critical juncture
to form proper plan for employing the different inha
bitants Of this Colony, providing for the poor ana
restraining Migrants and other disordery persons VINO
are nusances every society, regard for coun-
try, well common prudence, call upon US to en-
courage agriculture, manufactures, economy and the
utmost industry therefore this convention doth resolve
as follows:
Resoiped unanimously That it be earnestly recon-
mended to the different vesries and church
wardens throughout this Colony that they pay proper
attention and strict regard to the several acts OF As
semby made for the restraint of vagrants and the bet
ter emDloyinp and maintaining the Door.
Resoired unanimously That from and after the 18th
day of May next no or persons whatever ought
to in his heror their families unless IN case OF
necessity, and account to sell to butchers, or
kill for market any sheep under four years old And
where there is necessity for using any mutton IN MS
her their families, it is recommended to kill such
only are least profitable to be kept.
Resolved unanimously, That the setting up and
promoting woollen cotton, and linen manufacturer
ought to be encouraged in many different branches
possible; especially coating flannel blankets, rugs,
or coverlids, hosiery, and coarse cloths.
Resolved unanimously, That all persons having pro-
per land for the purpose ought cultivate and raise
quantity Of fax hemp and cotton sufficient not only
for the of his her family, but also to spare
to others moderate terms
series of resolutions follows, in like manner re
commencing the establishment Of salt works, the man
ufucture of saltpetre gunpowder, iron, Steel paper
glass, wool combs, cotton and wool cards, hemp and
flax hackles &e the erecting Of fIlng mills and the
the inhabitants of the Colony, that they use, The
Convention engages 10 do our manufactures and
those of other Colonies, in preference to all others
For the promotion of these manufactures they recon-
mend that the several counties offer suitable premiums
The stern spirit Of these fathers and founders OF
our government would endure dependence on Eu-
ropean nations for articles necessary for subsistence
clothing defence and they also saw the necessity
of providing employment for all classes of the people,
which can only be done by promoting manufactures
and the mechanic arts How different would be now
the condition of Virginia if this policy marked out for
her by old Benjamin Harrison and his associates, had
been followed and adhered TOT
1t appears that President elect is, by hereditary
right friend to domestic industry, indeed, his pub
| lie course has long shown.