The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-24

G1N1A The Sunday Times Dispatch:
distress among the tobacco growers was not indeed the
single cause Of Bacons Rebellion, but that it was
lively cooperating cause there be no doubt at all
The widespread distress caused by the enforcement Of
The navigation laws the OF universal discomfort
might easily have inlacd into most serious OUT
breaks but for the conservative spirit loyalty the old
country. The first Of these navigation acts passed in
1861 1t forbade the bringing Of goods into England except
in English ships in ships built by the owners OF the goods
intended nure the trade Of the colonists
but was aimed At Holland whose competition trade with
England was becoming exceedingly uncomfortable and It
was thought Holland deprived OF the American
trade would be eliminated rival in the sale
Of goods to the American coonsts II was still further
hoped that Holland would be compelled, instead OF buying
her tobacco from America buy it from English
at their price In this the English people were grev-
ousy disappointcd because the ongcaded Hoanders hit
the scheme OF growing their tobacco IN the Last
and importing It thererom.
The application Of the navigation act TO the American
coonists meant that the coonsts could trade only with Eng
land and could use only English ships Fortunately eron
well did put himself at pains to INSIST upon
enforcement this act but when Charles IL came 70 the
throne he sought not only to enforce the first act but to
issue another much far-reacing in its injurious
fec upon the American colonists This act required NOT
only that all goods carried to and from England should DC
i'll English vessels, but that all commodities produced III
America should be exported to England and the colonies OF
England alone, thus closing to the Americans every oer
market sale Of products and presenting only single
market from which products to be exchanged Inc
result that Engshmen bought tobacco their own
terms sold their English goods at their every
sort competition being eliminated by the operation Of the
navigation Numerous and vigorous protests
may sources but all futile The inevitable result
the depreciation the price Of tobacco The
sought many ways remedy the evil, but able
do 1t sought from time TO time to curtail the
crops time prevent the raising Of crop at
all. But it impossible to get perfect agreement
the planters and the cooperation OF the tobacco
growers Of Maryland and Carolina.
In 1904 the tobacco crop Virginia worth less than
three pounds and fifteen shllngs each person. In 1867
the price Of tobacco fell to apcnny pound Under
such conditions of things it quite mpossibeor the colo
maintain loyal and accomplishing relations with the
old country and of this universal discomfort began those
eupons that finally resulted in the War of independence.
Mr. Bruce, in his Economic History quotes from Thomas
LudWel writing Lord Berkeley in London, tat there
but three influences restraining the smaller land
ii Virginia from rising in rebellion, namely: faith in the
mercy Of God loyalty othe King, and affection gov
citizens OF Sury protesting against the condition OF things
and declaring their purpose refuse payment OF The
rngeaders in these meeting fined but afterwards had
their fines RENTED, with the understanding that they
to show pencnce for their Wrongdoing and pay the
court charges This latter perhaps, they forced into,
but the former about.
iseasy how the seeds the Revolution were to
be found in this discontentmcnt brought about by the
orccment Of these navigation laws the resulting low
prices OF tobacco. So among the Virginia tobacco