Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1901-01-05
Spot>wood Cannon.

The first new year OF the twentieth
century had its appropriate greet
;ncs from the centuries past. In Rich
moud the old bell which summoned the
delegates Of the Virginia convention OF
l775 10 hear the shout OF Patrick Henry.
Give me liberty or give me death. rang
out IN clarion tones. And IL Williams
burg there arrived OF New Years day
relc even older than the belle st. Johns
church. a cannon which many wears ago
had defended the country OF Virginia
| from the French and Indian enemies and
had voiced q suiute on many a New Year
and fcstal day of the past. when Virgin
IN was loyal colony OF the English
crown. To understand the real siguif-
| cancc of the event. we must 10 back TO
the days OF Spotswood. In ITO he ar
rived Is governor of Virginia and began
| that direction OF the government which
rendered his administration So remark
| able. Spotswood early perceived the de-
7! signs OF the French To cut Oft tho expan-
sion Of the English colonies nv line OF
II
vigorously at work 10 counteract thciriu-
tcntions In I7I3 he established "A fort
| and a colony Of Germans at Gcrnannain
Spotsylvania county. 20 guard The north
ern pass Of the Blue Ridge against the
| iuroads OF the French and Indians. The
same year he placed fort on the south
western frontiers. on the Meherrin river,
| TO guard the south pass Of the Blue
| Ridge lie calied the fort. Christiana.
| and a an additional means of defence he
settled there the tributary Indians-the
| SaDouvs. Tottarecs. sc. There was an
Iudian school. taught by Mr.. Charles
Griffin. who had more than seventy chill
drer under his charge.
| The fort was mounted by a number Of
cannon which remained there long after
the fort was abandoned. Howe, in ms
Historical Collections ofNirginia. men
tions several cannon as -till remaining
~ the spot when lac wrote in IS<7.
There were two remaining after the late
| war. One WAS taken To LawTenceviHc.
and was used IN celebrating Democratic
victories Il was subjected 10 had treat
meut and blew up one fine morning. bat
without hurting any body.
Last summer President Lyon 9. Tyler
being IN Lawrenccville, learned that The
other old cannon was still intact dowr
az the ancient fort. On MS return q
williamsburg he interested a number o
gentlemen in raising purse 10 nave th'
: cannon brought 20 the College. The nc
: gotiations were effected through the gen
erous medium of Judge y. 5 TurubulI O
Brunswick The cannon was conveyed
10 the depot a. Broadnax's and shippe'
10 Williamsburg. where Il arrived sal
and sound. January /. 1901. IL ha
been dubbed cold SpotswoOd, and vii
be formally presented TO the College o
, | William and Mary. with which Governo
| Spotswood was SO intimately connec
I / ted. He supervised the rebuilding after III
C | FIRE in 17O5. He made has win in tn
: | BraHerton Building before setting on
| for Annapolis, where he went in 1910 4
| take command OF the expedition agains
Carthagena. he left his library 10 ia
C0IIcge. lie was one OF its Board G
Visitors and Governors. lie was tn
patron Of the College ard of William.
o burg. ard this old cannon. near 20
years old. will continue, IL - hoped,
noble memorial Of his service for man
centuries 10 come.