The Ordway new era., 1913-08-22

the ear. of me cofonIsts promptly
from over sea that spring; but they
were not slow to perceive that they
must look for no concessions: and
did not wait upon parliament In their
preparation for doubtful future.
Upon the very day the congress OF
committees" at Philadelphia adjourn
ed. a provincial congress" In Massa-
chusetts. formed OF its own authority
in the stead of the house of delegates
the governor had but just now dis
solved, had voted to organize and
equip the militia Of the colony and to
collect stores and arms.
Virginia In Arms.
Virginia had been equally bold. and
almost equally prompt. far away as
she seemed from the kings troops at
Boston. By the end of January Charles
Lee could write from Williamsburg:
"The whole country is full OF soldiers.
all furnished, all In arms. {.
Never was such vigor and concord
heard Of not a single traitor. scarcely
silent dissentient."
Every county Is now arming q
company OF men for the avowed pur-
pose Of protecting their committees.
Dunmore had reported to the ministry
before the year 1774 was out, land to
be employed against government II
occasion require. AS to the power of
government which your iordship d.
rects should be exerted to counteract
the dangerous measures pursuing
here. | can assure your lordship that
1t Is entirely disregarded. II not Who'll
ly overturned. There is not a Justice
OF peace in Virginia that acts except
as committeeman; the abolishing OF
courts of Justice was the first step
taken, In which the men of fortune
and prominence Joined equally with
the lowest and meanest."
~ Washington Asked to Lead.
Company after company, as 1t form
ed, asked Colonel Washington to as
sumo command over 1t. not only in his
own county of Fairfax. but in counties
also at distance-and he accepted
the responsibility as often as 1t was
offered to him.
'It is my full intention" he said.
simply. ito devote my life and fortune
to the cause we are engaged in. II
needful;" and he had little doubt any
longer what was to come.
Still Runs With the Hounds.
He found time. even that stirring
year. to quicken his blood once and
again. nevertheless, while winter held.
by a run with the hounds; for he was
not turned politician so sternly even
yet as to throw away his leisure upon
anything less wholesome than the hale
sport he loved.
On the goth OF May. 1775. the Sec
ond Virginian convention met, not In
Williamsburg, but at Richmond. and
its chief business was the arming OF
the colony.
Maryland had furnished the ironical
formula with which to Justify what
was to be done: Resolved. unani-
mously, that q well-regulated militia.
composed OF the gentlemen freehold
ers and other freemen, ID the natural
strength and only stable security Of
free government; and that such
militia will relieve our mother-coun.
try from any expense in our protec-
ton and defense, will obviate the pre-
tencs Of a necessity for taxing US on
that account, and render it unneces-
sary to keep any standing army
ever dangerous to liberty-in this
province"
Patrick Henry Declares War.
Mr.. Henry. accepted the formula
with great relish. in the convention at
Richmond, in his resolution that the
colony be Immediately put into pos
ture OF Defense" but he broke with
it in the speech with which he sup
ported his measure Of preparation.
In this there was no plan or pre-
tence OF peace. but. instead. a plain
declaration of war.
once more did Edmund Pendleton.
Richard Bland. Mr. Nicholas. and Col
onel Harrison spring to their feet to
check him, as in the old days of the
Stamp act. Once more, nevertheless.
did he have HIS way, completely tri-
umphant.
tTo BE CONTINUED)