The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-06-29
Governor Lord Dunmore= Breathes5
Any Who Would

SLpS own happiness as that of your
Lady and whole family. las step, we
hoped. would have proved the happy
means of restoring that tranquility and
harmony You We're pleased to fiatter us
with your earnest wishes to have estab-.
Hshed. Who We're the peculiar objects
Of your tenderness that you SO kindly.
in favor to them. declined a particular
enumeration, we know not; but are
sorry that Your Lordship had SO little
feeling Tor the honor and Integrity of
this House. You have now. My Lord,
driven us to the disagreeable necessity
of inquiring infinitely into the causes Of
the late disturbances in this country.
1t is not with the most distant inclina-.
ton to give your Lordship the slightest
umbrage ihat we engage lin SO irksome
a task, but purely to do justice to our;
different and some distant transactions.
The charges of disloyalty and disaffec-
ton In our countrymen to our most gra-
cious Sovereign and his government as
intimated in your Lordship's message,
and some other public acts are as griev-
Gus as they are unmerited. Words, we
know, are too often but empty sounds.
We appeal not to our professions, how
ever sincere but to facts, Of public no.
toriety. The loyalty OF this His, Maj
esty's most ancient colony stands con-
fessed, as recorded by many Of your
worthy predecessors. We will presume
to carry your attention no further back
than to the administration of Governor
Immediately preceding your Lordship.
Previous to his coming over to Virginia
there had arisen some unhappy disputes
between Great Britain and the colonies.
His Majesty was graciously pleased to
send over to us from his immedia tie
presence tho truly noble Lord Botetourt,
who told US that he had received it in
command from His Majesty to do jus
tice and to maintain the rights of all his
subjects He oheerfully entered upon the
duties of his exalted station, in which
he acted as a true representative Of his
royal master, at once supporting the dig
nifty of his crown, dispensing the utmost
justice and diffusing benevolence through
out the country. BY his exemplary con-
duct, in all respects he accomplished
what he deemed a glorious work. He
gave US tranquility and happiness. In
deed. he was often heard to declare that
the business Of a Governor of Virginia
was much easier than he could have
conceived, as he found that the Govern
ment almost executed itself. Matters
We're not at that time carried on and
precipitated with so high hand on the
other side of the water as at present.
This probably was owing to his minutely
examining every subject TO the bottom
himself. taking nothing upon trust to
his misunderstanding tale-bearers and
malicious informers; and, at last making
a faithful representation of things, as
he found them. In short, too short
time for the happiness Of Virginia, it
pleased God to remove him from US.
When we received the account of your
Lordshp's appointment we INDUCED the
pleasing hopes that we should again be
made happy in a ruler; and when you
were pleased to honor us with your pres
ence we We'd with each other in endeav-
oring to make your administration easy
and agreeable: Upon the report that
your Lady and family were coming over
to you. every one, we believe, VINO heard
was eager in expectation Of an event
which was likely to give addition to your
happiness. We received her Ladyship
and your children with every expression
OF heartfelt JOY. and have considered
our countrymen as exceedingly happy in
having such respectable pledges amongst
them. Changes, My Lord. seldom hap
pen without some sufficient cause II,
therefore. you have, or think You have,
discovered any alteration in the senti
ments or behavior of those you preside
over, it may be worth your while. as we'll
as ours, to search out the reason of it.
NOT BY FORCE.
Respect, my Lord, is not to be obtain
ed by force from a free people. If gem
uine, it must be a perfect volunteer, and
nothing is so likely to insure it to one
in your station as dignity Of character,
a candid and exemplary conduct. We
decline on this occasion q discussion of
the subject unhapply in dispute be-
tween Great Britain and the colonies.
We presume not to interfere with your
authority in summoning or dissolving
assemblies. when, by advice of your
council, YOU think there is proper oc-
CT a wv 81
justice is that our conduct should be
fairly and impartially represented to our
sovereign. We do not mean to insinuate
that your Lordship would, desigredy,
facts; but it is much to be
feared that you too easily give credit to
some designing persons. Who Eo ithei
great injury of this community possess
much too large a share of your conf
dence. We have seen, my Lord. the
cory Of letter you were pleased to
write to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated
the Goth Of May, TIA. The design of the
then assembly was entirely misconceiv-
ed, and the i'll impressions your Lord
ships letter may have made on the minds
of his Majesty and his ministers prove
how dangerous it is and how very un-
just 1t may be to attempt penetrating the
thoughts of others when they are not
certainly known. Suspicious, we humb-
ly conceive, can never justify direct and
positive accusations. Men, we know,
differ in the superintendent of prov
idence and that the care, especially OF
nations, is an object of Divine good
ness; whilst others may think or af-
fett to treat this. as well Us other mat
ters. which our religion teaches as things
merely chimerical. We have likewise
seen an authentic copy Of extracts Of
another of your Lordship's letters to the
same noble Earl, dated the oath OF De-
cember, liza. The more injurious the
nnfavorable representations contained in
this letter We're likely to be to this coun-
try the more careful we should have
hoped your Lordship would have been
In examining the evidences Of the facts
stated. Your Lordship had been pleas
ed to represent in the first letter our
House of Burgesses as fond of having
it thought that a determined resolution
to deny and oppose the authority Of Par
Lament always originates with them.
Whether this was intended to draw down
the particular resentment Of Parliament
on this country Your Lordship can best
determine. They have indeed protest.
ed against the power of Parliament.
when they thought it extended con-
trary to the principles of the Constitu-
ton; but we do not know that they ever
affected to take the lead of the other
colonies in this or any other measure.