The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-21
TaEHOUSE OFBURGESSES
TIE h p. '. a. REJOICE 0VEk IhE
POSSESSION OF ITS SITE.
Some Of the Historical Incidents Which
Makes It Extremely Valuable to
the Antiquarian


special.-It is great cause for congratula-
ton, not only within tho circle OF the
Association for the Preservation OF Viz
ginia Antiquities. but among the citizens
in general, on account OF the generous
action OF the Old Dominion Land Com
pany. in donating To the association the
lot on which once stood the "Oid Capital
OF Virginia This lot has been an object
OF especial desire among the members OF
tho association ever since 1t was founded
a few years ago
In fact for some time the different
branches OF the association have been
raising the necessary money with which
TO purchase it Five hundred dollars had
already been subscribed for this purpose,
and as late as the early part or TINS
week the Washington branch had taken
steps towards raising the rest OF the
required amount
Those In authority hoped to be able to
purchase the lot sometime within the
next year. and so their pleasure and graft
tude knew no bounds when, on Nednes-
day last. their hopes were anticipated
by the letter from Mr.. c. Il. circuit, presl-
dent OF the Old Dominion Land Company,
to Mrs II. NJ Smith. treasurer or the as
ISOLATION. rendering the property as
gift.
A DELICATE ACTION.
The who'll matter was transacted In
most delicate manner. and the treasurer
OF tho association was not Informed OF
the action OF the company until the deed
10 the property was recorded In the
clerks Office.
There are many reasons why the Anti
quarian Society was especially DESTROYS
OF owning this piece OF property. With
-. Of Ia - ~,
spot in the South around which hovers
so many historical memories and recolec-
lions. IL can truly be called the cradle
OF the Revolution.
We have no exact date as to the build
ing OF the capitol. but It's erection was
provided for by an act OF the Assembly
In 1899. and this act WAS followed up by
resolution that four hundred and seventy
foot square OF land" be taken up and
surveyed as a suitable place for the cree
ton Of a building for the General Assem-
bites and courts. ito be held and kept in
Everything goes 10 prove that II was
erected very early in the century, and
from that time until the Revolution. II
was the place of meeting for the Cen
erai Assembly OF Virginia There. with
their powdered heads. cooked hats. aud
gay costumes. the first men OF Virginia
used 10 assemble 10 discuss the questions
which perplexod Ills Maiesty's colony
There II was that the Revolution practi-
cally commenced when Patrick Henry
presented those five famous resolutions
against the Stamp Act. and defended
them by his matchless eloqucnce.
The debate which followed was gigantic.
and after the vote had been taken, loyal
old Peyton Randolph rushed through the
lobby exclalmlng: II would have given
five hundred gulneas for a single vote
that vote being one which would have
defeated the fifth resolution.
WHEN JEFFERSON WAS \ STUDENT.
jefferson, who was then a student at
William and Mary College. was standing
IN the door Of the Assembly room at the
time, and heard the debate, which he
afterwards characterized as most
bloody" II IS more than a mere fancy
that he here caught the germ OF inspira-
ton which made him the author OF the
Declaration OF Independence.
Here also the Burgesses In May, l71i.
adopted resolutions of sympathy for the
port OF Boston," and issued a paper,
which was so democratic that the Right
Honorable Governor" thought 1t necessary
TO dissolve them.
In August OF this same year a conven-
ton was held here. IN which Washington
himself made "A passionate speech. de-
clsring that "he was ready TO raise ons
thousand men subsist them az his own
expense. and march al their head 10 tho
relief OF Boston" This convention APP
pointed PeytOn Randolph. Richard Henry
Lee. George Washington. Patrick Henry
Richard Bland BENJAMIN Harrison and
Edmund Pondleton. delegates TO the GEN
eral Congress. which was 10 meet In
September. INA.
Here also I'm May 1876. the Virginia Con-
vention unanimously adopted the resolu-
lions written by Edmund Pendleton, and
presented by Thomas Nelson. instructing
the Virginia delegates In Congress 10
propose to that body 70 deliver these
united colonies free and independent
states" The work OF this convention
continued through the month or june
on June 18th, the Declaration or Rights
was adopted. and the work reached its
consumation when. on June nth the Con-
stitution was adopted. by which virginia
declared herself an Independent Common
wealth and prepared 10 defend tho claim
These are only a few OF the historical
events which took place In a building
which experienced civic commissions,
which shook the continent from Masli-
chusetfs TO Georgia. aud witnessing the
scenes OF the early Revolution. re-echoed
tho words "Hberty or DEATH Rightly
has II been called the heart OF the re-
bellion."
This act OF generosity on the part or
tho Ola Dominion Land Company cannot
no overrated and II deserves the praise
ana thanks OF an Virmnians who hold
Se,r the memories OF those men who
uere hold enough 10 defy the invosions
., ,heir rights. and 10 sustain those de-
nances upon tho battlefield.