The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-03-27
EARLY VIRGINIA DAYS.
SIR JOHN pErroxs mrsFoRrUyEs.
The Treasurers Of Those Days--A Eespopsi-
BILE Of,ce Filled by Men of Highest Dig
nity--An Early Virginia Home.
fEor Tho 1'Ymas.l

the Governor and Council for relief from
financial embarrassment. resulting chiefly
from his own liberality to the Government
This ne never received. Under decree %
tho general court his entire estate was or
dered TO be sold. In the meantime lie nae
been making every possible effort 10 feaI1-'
money from the legal Representatives, oi n''
late securities Two of these hsd aeu-ni''
Fox and Mr.. Whiting-lesying their lam les
penniless Finally the executions A-as"o
himself and the latter were carr'eu ln'o a." a..
by repeated attempts 70 sell MS own M ~ !
estates of his securities, but were Ic,"ii n.y.
mot sold for want OF purchasers Inc
persons interested thenl appealed 70 the
General Assembly for relief and al put
Sir John succeeded in obtaining II Tor
time. He had now used every
expedient in his power to ward on the
blow that was about TO consign MN hnu MS
family 10 abject poverty. but so far without
success. Being advised by counsel no once
more set ont for Richmond TO make another
effort TO save himself While on the way be
was seized with a sudden illness and expired
in the space OF an hour on the 2oth OF
March. 1880. Although this sad event brought
relief to the unfortunate gentleman 1t greatly
added TO the troubles of his young and at
tractive widow. Sir John had married Sec
ond time. HIS last wife was the sister
OF Major Alexander Dick. Of Fredericksburg.
and daughter of Major Charles Dick. meri:
torious officer OF the Revolution. He had
done valuable survice in the field. but
in 1871, when the State was greatly in need OF
arms was appointed director of the gun
factory at Fredericksburg" on account OF his
well known business qualifications and pecu-
liar fitness for the place as discplinarian.
YOUNG WIDOW.
Lady Mary Peyton, as she was still known,
had now to assume the responsibilities lett by
the death of her husband In early youth she
had married into the Taliaferro family, OF
Gloucester. and was remarkable for her
beauty and other personal attractions: she
was now widow second time, but stu quite
young. Great interest was manifested by the
public in her case. not only on account or the
popularity and high standing OF her late hus-
band, but because of the affiction she had al
ready suffered in losing her only son.
Her friend and relative, A. Mercer, ESQ.,,
became at once her legal counsel and adviser.
In April of this same year we find him ur-
gently pressing her claims upon Governor
Randolph and the Council. Although her
position was one calculated to touch the SEN
siblities as we'll as command the respect OF
the Council composed of men whose social
position and high courtesy might at least
mitigate the demands of the law In her case.
yet they could not find it consistent with
duty TO be influenced by such considerations.
the same social standing. were undergoing
the like trials with herself. The efforts of
her counsel do not appear to have been snb-
cessful; and although an act OF Assembly had
been passed the, purpose OF which was
10 afford relief TO delinquent sheriffs and their
heirs, we find that on the first of
march. 1871. Lady Peyton's financial troubles
had not vet ended. Her late husbands
estate and those of many others in like pre-
dicament were for sale by order of the court
on that very day. Indeed they would have
been long since so disposed OF. but for sup
posed irregularty OF defect in the act Just
referred to.
TRUE PATRIOTISM.
The incidents herein recorded have been
given more than usual prominence because of
the high social standing of those Immediately
concerned, TO show with what fidelity the
laws were executed at that period. and espe-
cially to accentuate the fact that IN all these
transactions between the State and her people,
the plaintiffs, whether of high or low degree,
showed no wish TO escape the penalties of the
law other than in accordance with the prin-
cples OF justice and equity. Would that
such q conservative public sentiment could
have been transmitted through the succeed
ing generations down to the present time.
THE STATE TREASURER.
We have now seen how the people had en-
dured the loss of property and the pangs of
personal want; how they had submitted with
out show OF resistance TO the unrelenting
hand of the new Government and how their
appointed rulers had executed their trusts
with unfiinching devotion to duty. Let
US now see who were some of those upon
whom the State had imposed these response
bilitles. The most important public official
at that day was the State Treasurer. 1t might
be an easy thing to pass enactments. The
General Assembly had almost unlimited
power to perform this duty. But the trouble
s,.tA IL LII.
the law. this was to be done
by the Executive. composed of
the Governor and his advisers. the members
OF the Council. 1t might also appear an easy
matter that the orders issuing from the Coun-
Gil chamber would be promptly and satisfac-
torily executed. They would come, OF course,
from the highest authority, and therefore
were imperative. With all this show of power.
had il yet become true that the behests OF
the Government could be as easily enforced
as they had been issued? The result proved
that all depended upon the wisdom and char
acter OF an intermediary. competent officer
who should occupy such position towards
the Executive as to command their confidence
and at the same time be in sympathy with The
public at large Above all other considerations
he was to be man OF judgment, will and
character. To manage the finances Of
an impoverished people and government
required these and other qualifications not
necessary to be enumerated here. Up to
this time the men who had filled this Office
had proved competent and in all respects
fitted to fill the place. Under the colony the
royal Government had been more strictly
administered. and its public officials we're held
more accountable than when more demo-
cratic principles began 10 change the habits
and customs of the people. Hence the State
felt tho benefit of having still in her service
pome Of these well-tralned agents. Such men
as Robinson, Sir John Randolph and Rob-
ert Garter Nicholas had long filled the Office
OF treasurer during the colony. and the ex-
Amples of men of such high qualifications
were not now to be disregarded.
IMPORTANCE OF THE OFFICE.
The dignity and importance of this Office
will be better understood when the func-
tions of the incumbent shall have been
made known. During the interregnum and
before the Constitution was adopted the
Treasurer was appointed by the Governor
Council and House of Burgesses. But under
the State Government he was elected annu-
ally by the joint ballot of the two Houses
of the General Assembly. He was required
10 give bond in the sum of 1850. 900 during
the control Of the committee of safety, but
when the State Government had been es-
tablished this was increased to f4O0. 900.
His duties were to receive all the revenues
from taxes of every kind. and all other pub
lie money due to the State from any source
including taxes on lands and tithables, re-
ceipts from imports leyies and all sums re-
sulting from special acts OF Assembly. He
WAS TO apply and use the same for such pur-