The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-01-18

Following Is paper read by Mrs George
w Graves before the Current Literature
club of this city:
There could be no more htting opening
for Il talk on "ole Virginia" that these
words, written years ago, "A true history
OF tobacco would be the history of English
and American liberty"
1t was tobacco that planted an English
nation In Virginia and made corporation
In London SO rich and powerful u to be-
come formidable seminary Of sedition-
desire to monopoiize the tobacco trade
caused Charles | to recognize the house Of
BurgeSses- discomfort with the navigation
act and its effect upon tine tobacco trade
played Its part In Bacons rebellion. And
even Patrick Henry Won his hrst case over
Il tobacco controversy.
Tobacco had pushed out Of all other agri-
culture, and for necessities her planters
answered only with tresh supplies OF to-
bacco until IL seems marvel mat the
generation of the past was not stepped In
one vast vat OF amber,
At one time law was passed saying
positively that no planter should put out
more than 20 tobacco plants in one year.
But IL was OF no aYail-so tobacco grew ana
thriYed. And in the meantime history
went on writing on the tablets OF time.
aud 1t tells US that in the first Of the
Eighteenth century, In tho year OF our
Lord 17l4, George l came to tia throne OF
Orkney, governor general of Virginia, and
Robert Carter, governor In Virginia.
1t tells us, too, that this same tob Geo
traffic had begun to call for more and
cheaper labor than was at hand and OF
negro slaves there were not enough; so the
call was answered by England sending over
white criminals to be lndentured into sery-
ice. Usually they we're transported for
four years, this sentence to be increased
II the slave should attempt escape or com
NIT any other crime.
II next became q custom to kidnnp boys
and girls and bring them over into slavery,
and there were found free people who far
passage and certain other considerations
were willing TO sell themselves into slavery
for few years until they could buy free
last. but not least, our own Virginia
did not scorn TO add TO her Involuntary
laborcrs political offenders and prisoners
In i715, when the Hghlanders rose and
, attempted 10 depose George ] and 10 re-
place James VII upon the throne, many
hardy Scothman grounded his arms.
knowing only too well his fate-yenrs OF
slavery In the colonies For Preston added
1 eight noblcmen to the rank OF baudsmeD
/ over the seas.
can never forget Angus Mclean when
he first meets his so-caled master, Marina
duke Harvard There is something In a
hardy Scot that makes the pulse beat
quicker and the world seem truer, even
/ though his crust seem thick.
4 Mary Johnston touches the keynote when
she Introduces Ms 20 Angus Mclean and
makes him look into HaWard'S eyes aud say,
7 nor ten years ana more you nave been
my mdsler--it IS word for which ! have
! an lnyinclhe distaste. II Is not well, hay
/ ing neither love nor friendship To put IN
/ Its place. 10 let hatred die When ! ilrsi
! came 10 this slnvery / hated all Campbolls
all Whigs-Forster that betrayed rs az
! Preston and Erwin Nor McKinnon.' And
| then again he says: II. too am gentleman
aud brother OF a chieftian.'
Mary Johnston never dld a stronger thing
| than when she made the white.handcd
English Virginia planter don his hat and
drink his wine with the unconqucrcd Scot
! from over seas Lifelong friends she made
/ them and with a master stroke she gave e
! Harvard manhood 10 see the greatness Of
( this other strong one, and 70 the ehainec