The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-03-28
THE OLD DOMINION.


time immemorial, and We have had the curiosity
TO trace or Inquire into Ito origin Il grew out Of
he loyalty Of Virginia to Charles /, and Charles
H. and her refusa to recognize the protectorate of
Cromwell. During the s.russle between Charles
l. and the Parliament, Virginia, under Sir VIII
liam Berkeley. (as Governor) then contained co.
600 inhabitants, remained true to the King aud
the Colonist by solemn act, declared 'rhat they
were both under monarchy, ard would never
degenerate, from the condition of their birth, by
beitg subject TO any other government" After
the unfortunate monarch had been behesded. she
acknowledged the authority of the fugit We Prince
bis son, ana actually continued the provincial 60
verpment, under commission which the latter
sent from his retreat at Breda tn Sir VIM Berke-
ley According to Clarendon, Sic William Berke
ley was 30 assured Of the loyalty of the nhabi-
tants and 80 impressed with confidence of ultimate
success, that he wrote to the young Prince, al
most inviting him to America" In consequence. .cf
this open defiance of the power of Parliament, nm
ordinance was passed declaring the refractory col
onists notorious robbers and raitors, prohibiting
all Intercourse with them, either by the people of
England, the Inhabitants of other American colo
Dies, or foreign nations; ard q feet was finally
dispatched. under Sir George Ayscue to reduce
them to submission by force, if they shcud refuse
to embrace the pacific overtures which q commits
sion, accompanying the expedition were authorized
to produce.
Dennis with small squadron, to land his force and
drive Sir VIM. Berkeley out Of Virginia; to
whose proceedings. on the arrival of the feet
within the Capes of Virginia historians widely
differ. Beverly. Oldmixion, Burke and Graham
assert that he made great show of resistance
with the royalists. who constituted q ms j,rity of
'he population, assisted by the Dutch ships in the
harbor; but Bancroft, citing contemporary authori-
ties OF the highest value. says that sooner had
the Guinea frigate entered within the waters Of
the Chesapeake. than quoting from Clarendo, "all
thoughts of resistance were laid aside" Bancroft
further mentions, as characteristic of Virgnans
even at that early period, that they refused to
surrender to force, bat yielded by voluntary deed
and mutual compact" This deed of surrender
stipulated for complete indemnity as to al past
offences, and that the colonsts recognizing the
authority should be admitted into the bosom of the
Epglish commonwealth, and into an equal particle
patton in all the privileges of the free people of
Eugland-and particularly that the Provincial As
semby should retain its wontsd functions and the
colonsts have as free trade, the people Of EGG
land, to all places and all nations and be free from
all taxes customs and impostions whatsoever;
without the consent of ther assembly"-thus early
Insisting the principal that taxation, without
representation, is tyranny" Berkeley, a true and
royal cavalier, disdained to make auy stipulstion
for himself with those whom be regarded as usurp
ers; aud without leaving the colony, in March,
1862. withdrew to retired situation, where, as a
private individual, he continued to be universally
respected and beloved, biding his time, until a
counter. revolution in the mother country should
summon him orce more to defy the republican
o &HcGQQaOcY OF
royalty iu Virginia
Ia the interval between 1862 and 1860 the Bur-
re 'ses of Virginia suscessiveiy elected Richard
Benrea, Edward Diggs AMI Samuel Mathews. to
the Office of Governor, under allegiance to Oliver
Cromwell, and on his DEATH in 1918, to bis son,
Richard Cromwell. But, on the death of Governor
Matthews, in 1860, the people, prompted by dscon-
tent, with certain commercial restrictions imposed
by the Protectorate, did not wait for new commits
sion. but elected Sir William Bsrkely Governor,
hyvs hIssr psnvn ILL
cept the government" He, however. refused to
act under the usurpers, to yield to the wishes of
the colonists, unless they would unite with bim In
rsking life and fortune for the exile King This "
says Beverley, was theiTdearest wisb;jand, there
fore, with a unanimous voice, they told him they
were ready to hazard all for the King" This oc-
cured before the Kings return to England, an1
was the result of signal and unexampled loyalty
Berkeley then aequesced 10 the choice of the p>o-
pie and assumed the helm; aud. thereupon, be
forthwith "proclaimed Charles II, King Of England
Scotland, Ireland and Virginia." and caused al
processes to be Issued 10 the royal name. Thus
his majesty was actually King In Virginia before
he was King in EugIand-and hence, has Virgins
ever since borne the honered title Of "The Old
Dominion" Oo the restoration of Charles II te
the throne OF his anceetors. he sent q new comnis,
| sion to Sir William Berkeley and granted him
permission to visit England lie was received by
the King with Kindness, and tradition narrs TED
| that the King, in compliment to the colony wore
at bis coronation robe made Of silk sent from Vir.
ginia-
The Massachusetts Historical Society has in Its
possession coin having one side, " q head au6
the words Georgius, III Rex; and ON the other aide
shield, on which are quartered the arms OF Eng
land, Scotland Ireland and Virginia, the whole sur
mounted by . crown and encircled with the words
Virginia, 1918" similar coin was dug up, some
| years since. in Virginia. when description of il
| was published, apoeryphally ascribing TO Charles
ii, on his ascension to the throne the quarterine
| of the coat of arms of Virginia, as an "indepen
| dent member of the Empire" with those of Eng
land, Scotland aud Ireland In token of gratitud,
| for the 10y atty of the colony
The loyalty of the Old Dominion, which onc'
| had king for it's source and object is now not
withstanding her ancient and still uudiminishet
| devotion to compact" and indeed, in perfec
| keeping Herewith, transferred to the Union In
| all its original brightness, purity and strength
and she is about to render her Identification will
the Union yet more complete, by accepting th'
guardianship for the nations homage of the Mecc'
of America, the tomb of Washington Charleston
| Courier.
BARRING THE DooR.'-Judge Fleming ar