Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-01-14

FreSbyterian Historical So
Illadelphia, in collecting and pre-
serv;,. material for illustrating the History
of tho Presbyterian Church in the United
: States
An,ng the good and sufficient reasons
why tbs Presbytery should faithfully carry
out tn, resolution pledging co operation,
one is ;ood faith to what we have commit
ted osyarsss by action of Presbytery.
Another Is found in the important fact that
the history of Scotch-Irish settlements in
Virginia-a large proportion of which
we're in the region included by the present
bounds of Lexington Presbytery is essen
tial to a proper appreciation of the true in
wardness Of the causes resulting in the
contest for American indei endence.
! Though the settlers of this region Ell
joyed privileges as FAVORED SUBJECTS of
British rule, and were so far removed from
the commercial and social centres of the
colonies as to be the very last to suffer from
the practical evils of oppression, yet they
were the first to prepare papers proposing
separation from the government Of Great
Britain
In January and February, IT'S, the citi-
zens of Augusta and Botetourt counties
held meetings and appointed committees,
to prepare papers setting forth their views
and wishes.
On one of such committees was the Rev.
| Qrla Gr1no cbuf
From the reports Of these committees, that
were adopted and formally presented to the
Continental Congress, and the Colony Con-
vention of Virginia, at Richmond, Va, the
same year, the following extracts are given:
owe are heartily grieved at the differ
ences which now subsst between the pa
rent State and the colonies, and most ar
IDENTIFY wish to see harmony restored on an
equitable basis and by the most lenient
measures that can be devised by the heart
of man.
MANY of us and our forefathers left our
native land, considering it as kingdom,
subjected to iuordinate power and eaty
abridged Of its liberties; we crossed the
Atlantic and explored this then uncultiva-
ted wilderness, bordering on many savage
nations and surrounded by mountains al
most inaccessible to any but those very
savages who have been necessarily commit
ting barbarities and depredations on us since
our first settling the country. These fa-
tigues and dancers we patiently encoun-
tered, supported by the pleasing hope of
enjoying those rights and liberties which
had been granted to Virginia and denied
us in our native country. We by no means
desire to shake off our duty or allegiance to
our lawful sovereign, but on the contrary,
shall ever glory in being the loyal subjects
OF b Protestant prince, descended from
such iEustrious progenitors. SO long as we
can enjoy the free exercise of our religion as
Protestants and our liberties and properties
f as British subjects. But if no pacific
measures shall be adopted by Great
Britain, and our enemies will attempt to
J dragoon US out Of these inestimable princi-
pies which we are entitled to as subjects.
and to reduce us to slavery, we DECLARE
that we are deliberately and resolutely de-
termined never to surrender them to any
; power upon earth but at the expense of our
lives
Augusta county to the Colony Convention
at Richmond, March 20, 1775, the follow
ing is given:
Placing cur ultimate trust on the Su-
preme Disposer of every event, without
whose gracious interposition the wisest
scheme may tail Of success, we desire you
to move the Convention, that some day,
which may appear to them most conve-
Went, be set apart for imploring the bless
ing of Almighty God Oh sucn plans as hu-
man wisdom and integrity may think nee
essary to adopt for preserving AMERICA
happy, virtuous and free. We are too SEN
sible of the inestimable privileges enjoyed
by subjects under the British Constitution,
even to wish for q change, while free en-
joyneIt of these blessings can be secured
to us; but, ON the other hand, can justly
boast of our loyalty ard affection to our
most gracious Sovereign and of our readi-
ness in risking our lives whenever it was
found necessary for the defence of his per-
son and government. But should a wicked
and tyrannical ministry, under the sane
tion Of q corrupt and venal parliament,
persist in acts of injustice and violence to-
wards us, they only must be answerable
1 for the consequences. Liberty is so strong
ly impressed upon our hearts that we can
not think of parting with it, but our duty
to God, our country and our posterity, all
forbid it, We, therefore, stand prepared
for every contingency"
The documents from which these articles
are given ante-date, by several months, the
famous 'Mecklenburg Declaration" yet
they have no place in any formal, elaborate
history of our country; nor has there been
any special importance attached to them
by the whimsical muse of our American
annals.
The more one studies the history of the
Scottish Virginia Presbyterians, the more
firmly is the impression fixed that princi-
pie, not blind impulse, was the ruling fac
tor in their actions. The more isolated,
the more unsustained they were by reason
of their characteristics, the more were
they resolved to respect themselves and
keep the laws given by God, and approved
of by the men pure in heart.
Now, if the lessons taught by such a
history be properly needed, their tendency
would be to develop true courage. the no.
blest type of manliness, imperishable love
Of liberty, and undying adherence to prin-
ciple.
| It is interesting to notice in some one of