Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-27
RULE.
MIR. CoLEMAx's LECTURE BEFORE
VIRGINIA ANTIQUITIES SOCIETY.
One of the Most Interesting Periods
In Virginia History-A Picturesque
Figurc-f<n nights of the Golden
Horseshoe.
Horseshoe.

night on the occasion OF the address oil
Mr. Charles Washington Coleman. OF
williamsburg. before the Association for
the Preservation OF Virginia Antiquities.
The lecturer was introduced by Mr.. Bar
ton X. Wise. who spoke OF the evidence
Of renewed interest In Virginia history
shown by the large audiences which had
listened TO the various addresses deliver
cd under the auspices OF the association.
IL must be confessed. he said, that Vir-
sina had been backward in caring Tor
her own history. This was probably due
20 the scattered settlement Of the people,
IN contradstinction to the assem-
blage OF New England. There are now.
however. many evidences Of new In
terest, OF which this series Is only one.
air Wise then spoke OF the importance
Of spo;swood's Administration. Of its ro-
mantle episode. the expedition that gave
birth to the Knights Of the Golden Horse.
shoe. aad then quoted happily Tichnor's
"Virginlans OF the Valley"
MIR. COLEMANS ADDRESS.
Mr.. Coleman commenced his address
by saying that the committee OF the As
sociaton for the Preservation OF \!r-
ginia Antiquities requested a picturesque
rather than too grave treatment OF the
subject assigned him. Picturesqueness
enters OF necessity into any consideration
q Virginia's Colonial history but we
must demand that fl be held in restraint
as the truth satisfies all requirements In
this line This Is shown by the previous
lectures In this course. which make a
series OF episodes. each one essentially
= . ,.fsfr -tt.us f,afr
lion Of 1916. the keynote Of this crescenfG
movement being distinctly a demand for
n government Of the people for the peo-
pie by the people. The Declaration or
Independence was the logical outcome OF
the first legislative assembly Of 1919.
which met before the Mayflower sailed
from Southampton.
Here followed a hurried review Of the
period between Bacon's rebellion OF no.
The general state Of the country the
lecturer said. was extremely poor" The
people were oppressed. yet were stoutly
cOntendng for their ancient and ina
lienable rights y gradual improvement
followed 50 that in 17l0 the country was
said TO be "in peace and tranquility. with
greater plenty than might be expected"
IMPORTANT EVENTS.
This period was marked by severa,
events Of historical importance. among
them the founding Of the College Of Will
liam and Mary in 1875 the establishment
of a post-ofilce system. and the removal
of the seat OF government from James
town 20 Williamsburg.
Brief mention was made Of Governor
Francis Nicholson. one Of the most re-
markable Of the Colonial Governors,
who represented the people Of Virginia
as being both numerous and rich, OF
republican notions and principles" And
continuing. Mr. Coleman said: still the
country was not entirely prosperous. The
coasts were unprotected and troubled by
pirates and there was a tendency among
the planters who don't much admire
labor" 10 let things wend themselves.
the affairs of Church and State always
excepted. 50 the country stood on the
Goth OF June. no ION that day" said
the speaker. arrived within the capes
OF Virginia a man-of-war with Tancred
Robinson. commander Her mission was
one Of peace her arrival a red-letier event
In Virginia history. Her distinguished
passenger was Alexander Spotswood
Esq. the new Lieutenant-Governor OF
the Colony and Dominion Of Virginia"
sPOTSwOOD's CHARACTER.
From tho evidence, said the lecturer.
W. find Spotsw0od 20 have been "a man
Of action. indomitable energy and fore
sight; vigorous. fearless. imperous: oc-
casiOnally dctatorial, with outbursis Of
q fiery temper; yet very straightforward
gentleman. according 10 his endedyors.
with that good taste which is the con-
science OF the mind. and that conscience
which is the good taste Of the soul"
The intention was to consider only the
leading features Of Sro,swood's admin
isiration. He found Williamsburg little
mora than paper town" Under him
the Palace was completed. the college and
Bruton church rebuilt and enlarged. and
the magazine Powder-Horm erected. so
that the place became "a miniature copy
Of the Court Of 81. James"
Mr.. COLEMAN referred 10 SpOtswOod's
energetic efforts in defence Of his country.
TO his troubles with the Quakers incident
N reto 10 his part In the North Carolina
and South Carolina troubles. and 10 his
alteration with the Burgesses. and COM
ing TO his Indian policy. said:
His Indian policy was to bind by
treities and work on their hopes and
fears, rather than 10 war with savages."
The lecturer then spoke Of SpotswOod's
deep interest in Outstanding the In
dams OF the Indian school at Christiana.
Of his curious projects for the defence
Of the coast. OF his part in the settlement
Of Germanla. Of mis- dream to Intercept
the French and extend the English En-
plre westward, and Of his efforts 10 in
iroduce manufactures. But" added Mr..
Coleman. 1T was period Of great social
advancement. ease, and prosperity. In
Ills the Assembly was called ogsther
20 find out the hest ways and means to
dispose OF the greatest bank OF money
that ever was al one time in the public
Treasury Of Virginia "
MORE REPUBLICAN.
atFg.i s..~.~-trr, naomi.
were growing more republican In princi-
PIE, though loyal to the Kings majesty.
This was little more than a theory,
though in all good faith they mistook IL
for the genuine article. They thought
their protests were against the Governors
There was a great deal OF the thing
called prerogative. which led 10 per
petual game OF cross-purposes. with
Jealousy on all sides.
Mr.. Coleman spoke Of the Governor
abusive speech 10 the Burgesses, and
their Indignation. Showed how he Of
Tended certain great families powerful
In the State, and after describing the
war between the Governor and the YES
tries. said mention was delayed for, the
last OF the event b. which Spoiswood' I
| administration is best knOwn-an event
in the history OF Virginia; in the world :
| progress-the passing Of the Blue Ridge
ilebHNd4b- - AA4' INAta-..t" "a At'N 80
shoe. this being one OF the decisive
steps toward the dominiOn OF the Anglo
saxon race over North America. NJ
previous exploit OF this character. how
ever well authenticated. was 70 be con
| sidered IS derogating from Spotswood'
achievement with its far-reaching con
sequences. any more than Left Ericsson:
| chance touching on the coast OF Ninlanc
| in the year 1000 could rob Columbus OF
the glory OF being essentially the dis
coyerer Of America nearly so years az
| forwards.
on MT. GEORGES SUMMIT.
Mr. Coleman here gave an account Of
the expedition. and. In conclusion. said
with this junketing party Of meTrS
gentlemen went great purpose. II
| one mind, at least, among them the
! Significance was plain: and one must be
I feve that 70 all OF them, as they siooC
| on the summit OF Mt. George and gazec
/ out over the beautiful valley Of Viz
| einla, there must have come feeling
! OF awe. a sense OF the possibilities Il
which their act would lead"
| Alexander Spo,swood. standing upon th'
| crest of the Blue Ridge mountains II
| virginia gazing westward over an TN
| known land takes his place as an his
| torical figure beside Fasco lie Balboa.
| when. with eagle eyes,
| He stared at the Pacific, and all his me-
| Looked az each other with wild sur