Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-06
The .oId Dominion.,,


Mn. EDITOR: II has occurred frequently 10 me
TO ask you what is the meaning OF the title Old
Dominion, applied 10 the commonwealth OF
Virginia? | am not much of q book worm my
SELF and it is part of your profession TO culti
vate knowledge of history well as letters, and
TO communicate that knowledge through the press,
have thought il advisable to ask the desired in
formation, for the benefit of others, well as my
self, through the columns of the Transcript Tell
US, also, whether or not in your estimation the
~ : PORTSMOUTH.
We answer the inquiries of our correspon-
dent with pleasure. The phrase Old Dominion
is as common as any household word in our
language; but it is apprehended that many
employ it in utter ignorance ofits true meaning.
OF all the colonies belonging to the British
crown in this hemisphere, Virginia assumed
the noblest and most independent stand. AS
early as l645, she acquired an independence
which was truly enviable. She assumed and
exercised the right of levying war, concluding
peace and acquiring territory by no other au-
thority than that of the representatives of the
people. Although she stood in the relation
of province to the mother country, she re-
garded England more as her guardian against
foreign oppression, than as her ruler. And it
is remarkable, at this early period, that the
right Of suffrage was extended to all freemen.
Her trade, too, was largely on the increase
"In l648 there were trading to Virginia ten
ships from London, two from Bristol, twelve
Hollanders, and seven from New England, al
though her population at that time was only
about twenty thousand. This alone was calcu
lated to give her notoriety and standing in
Europe, to which the other colonies could not
aspire. But her loyalty was, perhaps, the most
remarkable feature in her character. During
the protectorship of Cromwell, (l649,) and while
Charles the III. was in exile at Breda, in Elan
ders, she had the temerity by an official act, to
declare him, in the face Of the protector, king
of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Virginia.
She declared herself independent of the usurped
authority of Comwel, and sent a message to
invite the exiled prince to come at once and be
king Of Iirgiiia: History tells us he was on
the eve Of elnbarking when he was recalled to
the throne Of England This compliment to
Charles elected from him the title by which
Virginia has since been known as the odd Do
mmion.' 1t is remarkable, too, that from his
retreat at Breda, he issued new commission
to Governor Berkely, thus claiming to be the
sovereign of Virginia whilst he was a fugitive
from England.
H The second inquiry, as to whether or not the
appellation may be regarded as honorable, in
wolves question of taste. 1t was title con-
ferred by royalty upon loyalty and by prince,
too, whose accession to the throne paved the
way to his own infamy. His course towards
Virginia was afterwards marked by naughty
and overbearing spirit. Generally, however,
the appellation is quoted as honorable. We
hear it in our halls of legislation, and from
every stump orator the cry reaches ones ears
]" the old Dominion"
1t is certain that Charles caused the coat of
arms of Virginia to be quartered with those Of
of England, Ireland, and Scotland, as an inde-
pendent member of the empire. There is at
this time, says Howe, coin in the possession
Of the Massachusetts, Historical Society, with
the following inscription: On one side is q
head and the words Georgius III Rex; and on
the other shield, on which are quartered the
arms Of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Vir-
ginia-the whole surmounted by crown, and
encircled with the word Virginia, T73.''
Our correspondent will perceive from the
foregoing sketch, that the appellation was de-
rived first from the independent stand taken by
Virginia, in claiming and exercising sovereign
power in her own. limits, and secondly by the
influence she exerted in resorting to the throne
the legitimate sovereign of England. The title
is an acknowledgment of that power and in
huence-Poytsmouth (Td.) Trans.