The Washington herald., 1913-01-28

masters in Great Britain will be salts
ned with nothing less than the depriva-
ton OF American freedom" wrote
Washington to Mason, with a sudden
burst OF passion. 1T seems highly neces-
sary that something should be done
to avert the stroke. and maintain the
liberty which we have derived from our
ancestors That no mon should
scruple. or hesitate a moment to use
arms in defense Of so valuable a bless
ing. on which all the good and evil OF
life depends. is clearly my opinion. Yet
arms. ] would beg leave to add, should
| be the last resource"
Addresses to the throne and remon-
strances TO Parliament had failed: it re-
NAMED to try starving their trades and
manufactures" to see II that at least
would arrest their attention. No doubt
even that would prove Of little avail;
but 1t was at least peaceable and worth
the trial.
Washington on His Feet.
The next month. accordingly. he got
unhesitatipgly to his feet in the private
meeting OF the Burgesses at Mr. Hays
and moved George Mason's resolutions:
nor did he forget to subscribe his quota
&c the fund which was to defray the ex-
penses of the Association" there formed.
The next evening he attended the
Queens Birth-Night" at the palace with
the same naturalness of demeanOr and
frankness of dealing toward the Gov
ernor as before Botetourt was not all
show and gallantry, but was a genuine
man at bottom He had come to Virginia
thinking the Ncolonists a pleasure-loving
people who could be taken by display
and cajoled by hospitality: he had been
tod they were such in London.
4 Manly Governor.
But he knew his mistake almost as
soon as he had made il. and was prompt.
even while he upheld prerogative. u
do what he could 10 deal with them In
a liberal and manly spirit He had ac-
Quiesced very heartily at the outset Of
his administration in a decision of the
council that writs of assistance could
not legally be issued in VirginIa-for the
process had been tried there. too He
made such representations with regard to
the state OF the colony to the ministers
at home as were both just and wise;
was assured in reply that the ministers
were willing TO make every necessary
concession: pledged his word in Virginia
that there should be a substantial change
of policy: and died the sooner October
Is. I77e', because the government would
not, after all, redeem his promises.
4 Doubtful Compliment.
Your governor IS becoming very pop
ular, as We are told here" wrote Arthur
Lee to his brother, from London, and
/ have the worst proof of II in the in
creased orders for fineries from the
ladies'" Vidginians did not find it easy
to break an immemorisl habit in order
to starve the English trades and manu-
and it was more than once
necessary 20 urge and renew the non
importation agreements alike among the
Bursesses and merchants at Williams
burg and by means of local associations
the colony.
But Washington Was punctilious to
observe to the letter the agreements he
had himself proposed Again and again
he babe his merchantile agents in Lon
don assist him to guard against any in
advertent breach Of them; not to send
him the articles Parliament had picked
out for taxation in the colonies.
Tomorrow: Washington Acquires Great
Land Holdings.