Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-11

somewhat remarkable life; touched upon
the life of Rev. William Stith. the thea
rector of the parish, who. next 70 Colonel
Byrd, was the most accomplished man in
the Colony, and added:
Richard Randolph. who undertook the
building Of the church, was also man OF
mark. He lived at Curls and had erected
q church there which was taken as model
for the original OF this building. He was
the son of William Randolph, of Turkey
Island, and he married Jane Boiling, the
great-granddaughte Of POcahontas. He
was a member Of the House Of Burgessos
from Henrico, treasurer of the Colony. and
the grandfather Of the celebrated John
OF Roanoke. He died in 174s
while on o visit 10 England. In the course
of years this became the principal church
IN the parish and after beng designated as
the Upper church." the Church at
Richmond" "Henrco church." the
g Church on Richmond HILL" finally. IN
the spring Of 1929, was named st.
Johns"
EVENTS OF HISTORY.
Since its erection some Of the most I'M
portant events III human history have
taken place. Civil and religious liberty
have advanced beyond all previous eXpe-
Tience, not alone in America. but through
out Christendom. The thirteen feeble Col
Onies, with some two and half millions OF
inhabitants, have shaken off their connec-
ton with England and have constituted
themselves into q grand republic, which
has grown until II now stretches from the
lakes TO the Rio Grande and from the At
lantic 90 the Pacific and has sixty-hve
millions of inhabitants. Science has adj
yanced in every department along the
path pointed out by Sir Francis Bacon
l..
in a different world from that OF our fore
fathers Of $50 years ago, Steam and cleo
tricity have made neighbors OF the most
distant nations, and the very destructive
ness of the new implements Of war has be-
come the guarantee Of peace. Christianity
has advanced III the forefront of the
worlds progress, and now has lodgment
in every quarter of the globe.
Could this old building speak what
tale it could tell! Not only OF happenings
in the outside world, but of those in and
around itself!
Doubtless of all the secular events which
it has witnessed the first it would speak Of
rs being the most important would be the
famous convention which met within its
walls on March 20, ITS, and with which It's
name will be forever associated.
Let US look for moment at tho stirring
events which brought that celebrated body
of men together,
BY the peace of Paris in 1863 England
was left in possession Of the whole North
American continent east of the Mississippi
river, except the portion bordering ON the
Cult Of Mexico, known as the Floridas. The
wars she had been so long engaged in had
exhausted Der treasury. and she sought 20
force here American colonies 10 contribute
to her relief against all precedent by
a tax known "a the stamp act, i'm
posed by Parliament-a body in which the
Colonies were not represented. This tax
the Virginia House of Burgesses IN May.
1906 denounced as unconstitutional, null,
and void. and their resolutions aroused the
continent 20 the violent resistance of its
enforcement. Finding it impossible TO
collect the tax Parliament repealed the
act, but in doing so reasserted its right TO
tax the Colonies. Later II attempted to
collect a revenue by duty on tea, and the
effort met with opposition throughout
America and with such violence at Boston
that the King, IN order to make an exam
pie of the town, occupied It with British
soldiers and closed the port. Atthe same
time the Colonial Government of Massa-
chusetts was changed by act of Parlia-
ment.
In this condition of affairs the Colonies
became alarmed for their rights, and a
general congress was called at the instance
of Virginia, which met at Philadelphia in
September, IVA, to consult as to the best
steps to be taken TO obtain the repeal of
the oppressive acts of the British Govern
ment under which their liberties were so
sOrely threatened.
RIGHTS OF THE COLONIES.
That celebrated body, upon which Lord
Chatham and other English statesmen
passed the highest encomlums, formulated
a statement of the rights claimed by the
Colonies, and among other able papers adj
dressed communications to the people OF
Great Britain, TO Parliament, and 10 the
King, urging the repeal OF the obnoxious
acts. As an earnest of their determination
to stand by those rights they fixed on GER
tain days for the stopping of oil imports
and exports in case their appeal was not
needed. IL was the general expectation OF
the people and of their leaders that these
measures would result in the repeal of the
acts and the relief of Massachusetts,. But
there were one or two among the Leaders
who had properly estimated the stubborn
ness of the King and the subseryiency OF
Parliament on the one hand and the in
flexible determination of the Americans on
the other, and saw that war would DC the
inevitable consequence.
A few months after the adjournment OF
the Congress the Virginia Convention con-
vened TO hear the report of the proceedings
of the Congress and to deliberate on the
political situation. 1t met in Richmond
and in this church. The bitter hostility Of
Governor Dunmore 20 the patriot cause
made il unsafe to meet in Williamsburg,
the capital of the Colony, and the i'm
portance and sacredness of the cause which
brought the body together made II appro-
pirate that they should deliberate in the
sanctuary of God, to whom they humbly
looked for guidance upon the sea OF
trouble on which they were launched. This
pious patriotism the vestry recognized,
and offered TO the convention this, doubt
less the largest. building in the town. The
interest in its deliberations was intense
throughout the Colony, and many came
from far aud near 10 witness its action.
Mr.. Henry here gave Il list of the MEM
bers who answered to their names when
the convention assembled.
WELL TRIED-PATRIoTs.
These were all well-tried patriots, who
did not hesitate to risk their lives IN at
tending what was denounced by the Roy
alists as q revolutionary body. As the Gov
ernor had frequently dissolved the House
of Burgesses during the controversy with
England when they uttered sentiments not
m accordance with his own, the patriots
had fallen on the plan Of holding conyen-
tions which were not under his authority,
and consequently were held by him to be
reasonable.
No Virginian can read this roll without q
feeling of pride: for in all the annals OF
history no State has been able to collect
in n deliberative body so many men OF
pure lives, of unselfsh patriotism, and the
highest order of genius. The race and the
civilization which could produce such,
body Of men at one period may wen De
held up 70 the admiration of the world.
Inc members came together IN ignorance
of the effect of the papers of Congress IN
England. Indeed their latest information
was contained in letter of 18th Decem'
Der. l774. relating the gracious reception
bv the King of the address to him, and
added that 1.-THE buzz at court IS that AL
the acts Will be repealed except the ad
miralty and declaratory," which had not
been considered very greyious.
The convention organized by electlnG
the venerable Peyton Randolph president,
who had Just presided over the Cont
mental Congress. IL then recorded thelI
hearty approval of the proceedings. OF
Congress, and their thanks to the Virginia
delegation for their faithful discharge OF
the very importan I trust imposed OF
them. On the third day a petition and
memorial of the Assembly Of the Island o
Jamaica addressed to the King was laid be.
fore the body and read. 1t ably defended
American rights, but indicated Toryism II