The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-06
THE COLONIAL CAPITAL.
SOME INTERBsTIyG FACTS FROM
TINE HISTORY or wTLLfAMsBURG.
How the old Town Was Founded--Ihe
Building OF the Capito,--Many Inter
eating Landmarks san IN Existence.

1t Is a matter Of surprise that so few
OF the educated people OF Virginia have
ever visited the ancient city Of Williams
burg, so long the capital OF the colony
and OF the State. or course. the OLD town
IS not now what It was, and We need not
stop to give the causes Of the decline. II
Is enough to say that It's history and as
sociadons. It's relics and its ancient build
iqgs furnish abundant attractions TO those
who would recall the glories Of ar epoch,
whose influences upon the people OF Vir-
ginia has not yet passed away. Indeed.
its reyving fortunes furnish special at
fractions at this time.
After the destruction Of the Colonial
Capital at s. nestown, IL was determined
by the Cover nent to remove the seat OF
government ON that insalubriOus and
exposed place TO a more attractive local
ity. Hence, in 1893, an Act Of Assembly
was passed TO carry out this purpose. a
few miles back from James river was a
piece OF high table-land known as the
Middle Plantations. found by constant
experience to be healthy and agreeable
TO the constitutions OF the Inhabitants.
having the natural advantages OF serene
and temperate air, dry and champaign
land aud beautifully stored with whole
some springs, etc"
This was the site selected for the new
capital which In honor OF King William
Ill, was to b. forever hereafter called,
and known by the name Of Williams
burg"
But before this provision for building
the town had been made IL had been hrst
ordered that a capitol building should be
erected. This is probably the only in
A.. frfa a.
ing was constructed before the town be-
came reality. The following clause OF
the aforesaid act explains Itself ANA
for as much an the general assemblies
and general courts Of this his Majesty
colony and dominion cannot possibly be
held aud kept at said capitol unless
good town be built and settled adjacent
10 the said capitol suitable for the ac-
commodation ard entertainment OF
considerable number Of persons that OF
necessity must resort thither: and where
as, I'm all probability. il will prove highly
advantageous and beneficial TO his MaJes-
tvs Royal College of William and Mary,
10 have the conveniences OF town near
the same: BE II therefore enacted, etc"
AN ACT OF Assembly.
Then followed the several clauses OF the
act providing for the amount Of land
necessary for the town. with minute di-
IoCtlOnS as 10 now II SHOiu De ldlO oil.
The original plan of the city was 20 be
I'm the shape Of "W" and an mi" COM
bIned TO. symbolic the names Of the
King and the Queen. Whether this was
carried out or not we cannot say. The
visitor TO our ancient and honored city.
at this day, will recognize many of the
features of the city Of King Williams
and Queen Annes time. The college IS,
of course, the most prominent object. IL
p1u In ha pntdGf pf annie prDnp6g
and at one end of what was once the
grand avenue or boulevard of the city.
This was known as Duke Of Gloucester
street. was about one mile In length, snd
at ito opposite end stood the capitol. the
stately structure considered 50 important
TO his Majestys and the colonys inter-
ests. that II was to be built even before
the city itself. On both sides OF this
extended highway were elegant residences
and few public buildings. 1t was the
main artery for the traffic NJ the town,
which sought the wharves on Queens
creek TO be delivered 10 vessels I'm York
river, and those in Archer's creek to
find it's way to the James. Ii was flso,
at certain hours OF the day, the fashiona-
BILE promenade of the city. Here we're
TO be seen the gailants Of the time and
the fair danes sauntering in picturesque
4 groups from the college to the capitol.
Students men of substance. grave poll
ticians, courtiers. and servants we're also
here. Here and there u native savage,
perhaps pet of the Governor, varied the
scene In the time of Governor Spots
wood, many OF these frequented the
town He was a friend to the Indians
and INDUCED useless visions Of having
them educated at some day.
rHr UfY.
Intersscting the Duke OF Gloucester
street were King street and Queen street,
and other highways bearing names sug
gestiVe Of royalty. Between these were
extensive lawns OF grass and noble trees,
under the shadows Of which the resi-
dences of the higher classes reposed in
digni6ed retirement from the public gaze.
Near the college stood the palace. rem
nant of which Is still to be seen. Here
the Provincial Governor resided, and
here he held his mimic court. observing
the stately ceremonial required by the
home government. on these occasions
the officers of crown. and other dignitar-
les with their families. came to pay their
respects to the Representatives Of the
King To these were added the more
aristocratic and wealthy gentlemen ana
ladies of the city and the surrounding
country, who came In their coaches 10
swell the throng at the palace. III was
the etiauette observed on these occasions,
which established the good manners ana
urbane customs, Tor WnlCn the NHbinidhS
OF the olden times were so distinguished.
Indeed. Il may be safely said that down
10 quite a recent period the example OF
such observances had not entirely ceased
to have tts effect.
The capitol TO which we have referred,
was quite an imposing structure -
was built of brick. in the shape OF an
III" its walls were thick and massive;
was decorated with porches, balconies
and piazzas of iron. and protected by
great folding gates" OF like material. all
OF which were brought over from Eng
land. The entire structure was covered
by hip-roof with dormer windows
surmounted by cupola, upon which
was "put nag upon occasion" All
the floors of the first story were laid In
stone Tagging. which must also have
been imported. because at that day, no
such material was available at that To-
cality IL was necessarily a capacious
building; was entirely devoted 10 the
uses OF the House OF Burgesses and
their offices the General Court and It's
offices, and TO the Governor and privy
council and offices; and IL was provided
bv law that TO no other uses was any
part of the building 10 be ever appro-
priated. This ancient and honorable
structure was afterwards destroyed by
fire; and many years ago. some of the
remains OF It's blackened ruins could
still be seen. The visitor at the present