Washington sentinel., 1855-02-17

VI tuciI hcgicct OF pubic educaton. In regard
TO the first charge, Beverly says: I" Yet liberty of
conscience is given 10 all other congregations
pretending TO Christianity, condition they sub.
mt 10 the parish dues And Of Quaker commu-
mites. he says: "'Tis observed by letting them
alsne, they decrease daily In regard 10 the
other allegation, II is said by Beverly: There
are large tracts of land, houses, and other things
granted TO free schools for the education of child
rem IN many parts OF the country and some OF
these are so large, that Of themselves, they a
handsome maintenance to a master. These
schools have been founded by the legacies of well
inclined gentlemen. in all other places, where
such endowments have not been already made,
the people join and build schools for their child
rem, where they may learn upon very easy
terms.ns
But Spotswood" says Bancroft, "a royalist
high churchman, a traveller, reverenced the vir-
tues of The people" 81 will do justice" he
writes TO the Bishop of London, ITO this country.
have observed here less swearing and profane-
ness, less drunkenness and debanchery less un-
charitable feuds and animostes, and less knave-
ries and vlainies, than in any part of the world
where my lot has becn.r When we come 10
consider the heavy burthens imposed upon the
foreign commerce Of Virginia by the British gov
ernment, and its small population and resources
al home, II is surprising 10 see.how much was &C.
complished. Her settlements were constantly
extending under the fire of the Indian rife.
Spotswood, the most far-sighted OF our colonial
governors, early turned the attention of Virginia
10 the country beyond the Ohio, and exploring the
passes Of the Blue Ridge mountains, aud penctra-
ting into the valley, is said TO have extended his
views TO Kaskaskia ITSELF al that time French
tort separated from the nearest Virginia settle
ment by almost thousand miles Of wilder.
ness.n He but anticipated the day the hint
which he then gave was afterwards remembered.
The progress of expansion went on until, per-
haps, there was not river or stream navgable
TO canoe, from the James to Point Pleasant in
kanawha, which had not been the scene of bloody
strife between the Virginan and the Indian. To
make good her title within her chartered limits
against not only the Indians, but the French, Vir-
ginia spared none Of her resources, either in men
or money. In 1746,u che contributed f4 900 10
the expedition against Canada, and in 1854, she
began To- make provision in men and money Tor
the French and Indian wars1O Ten thousand
pounds were directed 10 be raised by loan by this
act. In 1885, f25 900 Were raised, &C and for the
first time, treasury notes. but notes bearing inter-
est, were used.
In process OF time, as more and moro money
was raised, these notes We're issued without in.
terest and made legal tender but, in all in
stances, specific taxes laid for their redemp-
tion That this sound policy was pursued is evi.
denced by the fact that, in l76S the taxes laid 10
secure their payment We're repealed, because, as
alleged, sum had been raised equal 10 the whole
emission OF treasury notes from 1854 10 1862 in
clusivey Bancroft was right in saying, ii was
an age when nations rushed into debt when
Stoch-JoDDtTS anu Dduktrs competed Win land
holders for political power and Virginia paid its
taxes in tobacco, and alone, OF all The colonies
alone OF all civilized States, resisting the universal
tendency OF the age, had no debt, no banks, no
bills OF credit, no paper noney.s Unt the French
and Indian wars, bills OF credit had been unknown
in Virginia To sustain IT, she spared none OF her
resources. The first movement in regard 10 the
French occupation OF Fort Du Quesne, was from
Governor Dnwiddie, of Virginia who dispatched
Washington 10 ascertain their intentions. The
first engagement, which opened the seven years
war, was between Washington and Jumonville
al the Great Meadows. AT Braddock's defeat
" The Virginia companies Says Bancroii) showed
the greatest valor, and were nearly all massacred
Oi these companies, scarcely thirty men were left
alive ga When Grant made his ill-advsed march
upon Fort Du Quesne with eight hundred High
anders and the Virginia company, "the behavior
OF the Virginians was publicly exlolled by Forbes .
Afterwards, Washington was placed in command
Of the advance, which numbered amongst its
forces 800 men raised by Virginia, and after the
place had fallen, two regiments Of Yirginians were
left 10 guard it."bb No sooner was this expedition
over, than we find Virginia, after being foied in
her attempts 10 preserve the peace by compensat-
ing the whites for spoliation made on their pro
perty by the friendly Indians during their march
homeward, passing acts 10 raise men, and borrow
f32 900 10 relieve Fort Loudon, built al her ex
pense,ee in the Cherokee Nation, which had been
invested by these Indians.
OF all the money thus expended by Virginia not
only from her annual revenue, but from the loans
which she made, l do not find any mention of
more than 10000 which were returned 10 her by
the Crown. To have sustained these burthens
and 10 have borne so great share OF this war, as
she did, with her sparse population, shows a COM
mand OF the resources Of the country and an en-
ergy on the part Of tae people, often witnessed
IN history. She must have owed this 10 her inst
tutons and internal organization, but more 10 the
spirit OF her people. In referring her institutions
and policy, IL must not be forgotten, that one OF
these institutions that Of African slavery and
that cardinal feature OF her policy was taxation in
kind. That the existence Of African slavery contr-
buted much 10 the early settlement OF this country
there can be but little doubt Whilst the master
was absent exploring the country, or defending
the settlements against the Indians the slave cui.
uvated the land al home, and opened and improved
what the white man had conquered. We fnd the
slave following his master into the most distant
and dangerous settlements, and many instances
are TO be found of his defense OF his masters
family against the assaults OF the Indians The
effect which this institution must have had upon
the national character OF the whites must say
nothing OF here; that II made the spirit Of inde-
psndence and freedom still prouder and higher,
than before, we have the testimony Of Edmund
Burke HIMSELF and IL is obvious enough that such
result would be the natural effect OF such a
cause.
That the fear Of danger from the slave a, home
restrained the master in his enterprises abroad
history; that such fears at time existed in re.
lation TO the white servant, we have proofs not 10
be disputed. Sir William Berkeley in 1871, DID
states the number Of white servants 10 be 5000
while OF slaves he then counted but 2 1000 and II
appearse that the former plotted an insurreciicn
IN 1868, which gave SO great an alarm 10 the
colony, that the general court made an order that
no more "jail-birds,' as they were called, should
be brought into Virginia. and requiring a Mr..
Nevett 10 send ont the "Newgate BIRDS within
two months, according TO a former order Of the
court. Beverly says, in speaking Of this move.
mcnt, that they were led by /" oliveran soldiers n
But the slave who provided food for the family al
home, seemed rather 10 have added 10 the mas.
ters sense OF scc.oity abroad. Whilst this insti.
tniion probably increased the number Of lighting
men, which the colony could send TO war the
taxation in kind added greatly 10 the means of
supporting them abroad, and OF maintaining the
government at home.
The people were thus enabled 10 bear the bur.
den Of taxation, which would have been intol.
erabe II laid in money, under the existing state OF
commerce, and the circumstances which sur
rounded them. II is at once curious and instruc.
tive 10 see how they converted tobacco their only
great staple, into the medium for taxation and a
currency for domestic uses besides. | will ven.
n hat