Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-11-28
REVIEW.

REVIEW.
Col. J. L. Peyton's New Book.
HISTORY OF AUGUSTA COUNTY. vIR
GINA" by JOHN LEWIS PEYToN. Author Of
"The American Crisis, or Pages from Note
Book of q State Agent during the Civil War
In America. ""Over the Alieghanies &C., &c.
Publishers: 8. Nj. .Yost & Son. Stanton. Va
We have been Favored with the advance
sheets OF Col J. L. Peyton's new book, the His
tory Of Augusta county, Virginia" the perusal
OF which has afforded us great qualification
and instruction. -
In the eloquent introduction. the disttn-
guished author announces the motives which
lowing words:
"a strong wish to preserve. in q permanent
form, q record OF the past, that 1: may no longer
be clouded by ignorance nor perplexed by
tton; to rescue frOm.,blfvt0n the memories OF
our unders whose heirs " are. with respect
to civil aud religious laws. language, science.
anc ve 70 nsep .vS or IN tb sssl
and u spirit OF patriotism, has been the chief
incentive of this work."
Unlike many whom we have met, Col. Pey-
ton has not been satisfied with simply garner
ing t. easures Of Information, acquired by care
full Investigation, and oftentimes arduous Ia
Dor, to be kept locked up in the store-house Of
memory. or only, at times, displayed for the
qualification or entertainment of friends at the
social gathering or around the ire-side. He
has been imbued with the laudable and nobler
purpose Of embodying In a recorie form the
historic and legendary learning he has amasaed,
that it might stimulate the descendants of
the ilustrious founders Of this county, to re-
we're the memory Of their grand achievements
and emulate their virtues.
with these views, the writer has undertak-
en- the task Of preparing history Of his ma.
could only aim at q brief sketch or outline Of
the subject previous to l7s0 when the county
assumed its present confines. He has en-
belong to the history Of the Valley and the
western country.-Or that part Of August
without the existing limits OF the cOunty,-and
in the most gen raj and simple terms confin-
ing himself, for the most part, in the case of
Indian depredations. murders. massacres, &c,
to tn nse which occurred within q certain area
or territory, not too remote from the present
county. He has made Tree use Of the works OF
s sn Ss @ he to
nope that 1t may prove useful and acceptable"
In the opening chapters. the author lays
down accurately the precise limits constituting
the ancient county Of Augusta; and. in this
connection. he is led to speak at some length
OF the aboriginal population. in regard to
whom he has made special investigation. en-
abling him the eby to give in a few words a
clearer and more accurate count OF their ma
ture and government than is usually found in
general history. AS for example, the follow
ing:
1.-THE Indians were moi wi hout certain spe-
cies OF government which prevailed. with lit
tie variation, over he continent. Though
free. they did not despise all sorts of authority
They were attentive to the voice OF wisdom,
which experience had conferred on the aged,
and they enlisted under the ba nners Of their
chiefs with child like confidence In
whose valor and military address they had
learned to repose their trust. This power,
however. was rather persuasive than coercive !;
as mon uch. He had no guards. no prisons,
no officers of Justice; but. relying upon the re
ana nv e Nns o. ats people ns
terrified by dynamite and Internal machines.
Few modern Euro can rulers do this. The
elders In every tribe constituted q kind of aris-
tocracy. and were always consulted on grave
occasions Oy the chiefs and people. They pos
sessed no power except the influence they ex-
erted by reason OF their age and experience
and the further fact that they constituted q
kind of hereditary nobility. Among the In
authorize. because age brings experience. and
experience Is the chief source OF knowledge
among people without literature"
As the history progresses, and as occasions
present themselves, we find descriptions OF
their mode of warfare. the ceremonies atten-
udub bnoTcOI, tuStT supoIh' ttiOue duu IcilklOus
beliefs. and. especially. presentation of the
peculiar traits which have satisfied historians
as to their Asiatic origin. exemplified both In
their occupations in times OF peace and their
manner of attack in war. Much can and ought
to be said in vindication Of the Indians. The.
had ca use for their hostility and cruelty to-
wards The white man, causes which the settlers
themsel yes, lei away by bad counsel, brought
about An int resting account is given Of tn.
celebrated chief Cornstalk, whose proves.
wisdom. and especially eloquence have be-
come part OF history.
The explorations Of the county and Its first
settlements are graphically told A glowing
account is given Of the knights of the Golden
Horseshoe"a under spottswood. and subse.
quently the arrival of John Lewis and family
the founder Of the county. From this on the
narrative grows in interest. We are intro.
duced. as it. were. into the very heart of the
struggling settlement. All the details which
70 towards giving vivid understanding OF
the manners and customs of the people are
,skillfully grouped together. Legendary lore
and personal "reminiscences are gathered up
sified, and arranged into a continuous nara.
tive, In the perusal of which one seems to live
An the very days spoken of, rejoicing with the
settlers when joy was theirs, and sharing In
their griefs and privations when dangers and
Isufferings became their lot. ~
As the. colony began to increase and gain
strength, "the subject OF public improve
ments." says the writer. "soon engaged the at
tention of the leading men. and they quickly
discovered difficulties besides those of nature
In their way" Here follows an account Of the
widening and improvement OF the so-called
road leading to Goochland, work violently
opposed by a large mass Of the settlers . great
many Of them, like the ''still hunters, or deer
stalking pioneers" continues the writer fare
almost much opposed as the Red Men to
their hunting grounds being disturbed-open,
ed up by roads" L
Speaking Of the original laws governing this
primitive settlement, we ind the following:
I'm the absence OF a system Of laws order
was preserved and individual rights prot cted
by virtue OF public opinion. and what Ia term
led the forest code-that mysterious power OF
public opinion, which It is impossible to resist,
and than which nothing Is more unsteady,
more vague or more powerful, and which. ca
PRECIOUS though it may be, is nevertheless just
and reason able. more frequently than is sup
posed-and tn / back woodsman's code, "a re
of their natu es and the circumstances Of their
position Two crimes met with
peculiar punishment at the hands Of the pio
neers-the first. theft. which was held in such
.detestatiOn that the culprit was banished, but
not before thirty nine lsshes were well laid up
on ms nare Gacx ~ rh de.sh
the stern morality Of the leaders became the
prop and support of their government"
Here follows q reference to some of the social
customs and rural superstitions Of the pio-
neers; also description Of the manner of liv-
lug. the style of dress worn. the customs as to
new arrivals. &c. brief description of a wed
ding, introduced in this connection, will be
found most interesting.
Folk lore" Of the settlers, wherein niue h
curious information is contained. and brief
notice of earlier modes of procedure In legal
matters. is both interesting and amusing. I'm
der the latter head, the author says.
ut was not the easiest thing In the world to
bring malefactors To Justice in those days. as
the following returns made to executions Will
Illus rate:
"In the case OF Johnson VS.. Brown, O75l,,
mot executed by reason there Ia no road 10 the
place where he (BrOwu) ivel.'"
Again: Not executed by reason OF an ak ~
"'Not executed because dsfendants horse
was faster than mine"