The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-06

PatrlcK Henry, was deposited IN the
State Library. All exact reproduction
of the copy and of the memorandum,
which Is fast becoming illegible, is now
given,
TlHE RESOLUTIONS. -.
Resolved. That the first adventures
and settlers Of this, His Majesties colony
and dominion, brought with them and
transmitted to their posterity and all
other His Majesties subjects since In
habitating in this, His Majesties said
colony all the privileges, franchises. and
immunities that have at any time been
held. enjoyed and possessed by the peo-
pie of Great Britain
Resolved, That by two royal char
tiers granted by King James l.. the colo
nists aforesaid, are declared entitled to
all the privileges. liberties. and immuni-
ties OF denizens and natural born sub
jects to all intents and purposes, as II
they had been abiding and born within
the realm Of England;
Resolved, That His Majesties liege peo-
pie Of this most ancient colony have
uninterruptedly enjoyed the right or be
ing thus governed by their own assembly
police and that the Same hath never
been forfeited or any other way given
up, but hath been constantly recognized
by the Kings and people OF Great
Britain;
Resolved, Therefore, that the General
Assembly of this colony have the only
and sole exclusive right and power TO
Law taxes and impositions upon the inhab-
itants Of this colony. and that every at
tempt to vest such power In my person
or persons whatsoever, other than the
General Assembly aforesaid, has mani.
fest tendency to destroy British as well
as American freedom.
by MIR. HENRY.
The memorandum on the back OF the
resolutions reads as follows:
THE within resolutions passed the
House of Burgesses in May, 100. lheE
termed the first opposition to the Stamp
Ac, of the scheme of taxing America by
the British Parliament All the colonies.
either. through fear or want OF opiortuhi-
ty to form an opposition. or from lnliu-
en"c of some kind or other, had remained
silent I had been for the first time elect
ed Il Burgess a few days before, was
young inexperienced unacquainted with
the forms of the House and the mem
BEES that composed it. Finding the men
of weight averse to opposition and the
co1nmencem of the tax at hand, and
that no person was likely to step forth,
I determined to venture. and alone I'M
advised and unassisted on blank leaf
Of an old law book wrote the Wlthih.
Upon Offering them in the House violent
debate ensued. Many threats were ut
tered and much abuse cast on me by the
marty for submission. After long and
warm contest the resolutions passed by
a very small majority, perhaps OF one or
two only. The alarm spread throughout
America with astonishing QuicUess, and
the ministerial party were overWhelmed-
Tho great point of resistance TO Brtlsh
taxation was universally established IN
the colonies. This brought on the war,
which finally separated the two countries
and gave independence to ours. Whether
this will prove a blessing or a curse Will
derend upon the use our people make OF
the blessings which a. gracious God hath
bestowed on us. If they are wise they
r:ll be great and happy. Ii they are OF
a contrary character, they Will be ms
cradle. Righteousness alone can eXait
them as @ nation.
Reader whoever thou art, remember
this: and in thy sphere practice virtue
thyself and encourage it in others.
"P HENRY"
ABOUT MIR. JOHNSTON.
It was once claimed that John Elem
ing, of "Maiden's Adventure" Cumber-
land county, was the author of the reso-
lutions, as appears from statement
made by Edmund Randolph in his his
tory of Virginia which is to be printed
for the first time in the July number
of the Virginia Magazine OF History and
Biography. \ note to that publication
tells what is known of Fleming.
1t has also been claimed that the reso-
buttons We're prepared by George john
ston. member of the House Of Bur
gesses for Fairfax county from ll3S to
1866. The Times has obtained from MI
R Walton Moore. of that county. such
data as exists respecting Mr.. JohnStons
career and his connection with the leso-
lutions lie was a native Of Scotland
having Keen born in Hayden, but spent
most OF his life in Virginia, where he
died in December mot in the summer
as has been asserted) of 100. lie lived
between Alexandria and Mt. Vernon
and married Sarah, the daughter Of Ma
ior Dennis Mccarthy. of Westmoreland.
He was a very prominent lawyer and
had an extensive practice in the North
ern Neck and Piedmont sections. In the
ancient minute books Of the County Court
of Fairfax his name is constantly men
toned. His near neighbors were George
Washington and George Mason. They
We're among the gentlemen Justices OF
that court While he was leading prac-
tltlOncr at -ltS oar anu tii'S " I'S D
friends His will was admitted to pro-
bate in January, 1867 The inventory of
his estate shows that he owned an I'M
usually large professional and INSECT
laneous library for that time, and that
he had accumulated much land, many
slaves and other. property.
MATTER OF TRADITION.
1t is a tradition in his family that on
his return from Williamsburg Mr.. John
ston told his wife and others that he
drafted the resolutions. In the biograph-
ical sketch of Colonel Leven Powell ref
erenCe is made to George johnston, Jr..
who was lieutenant colonel and aide de
camp on Washington's staff during the
Revolution and a part of the period his
confidential military secretary. and there
it is said Ibis father was an eminent
lawyer of Fairfax county. and was a
member of the Virginia House of Bur-
gesses. and has been credited with the
authorship of the stamp act resolutions
Without questioning the authorship of
those celebrated resolutions. 1t is certain