CHAPTER IV.

THE address and resolutions (as has been stated) so alarmed the governor of Virginia, as to induce him to dissolve the House of Burgesses. But this measure had not the same effect in this case, as in that of the dissolution of the legislature of New York. The leaders of the House of Burgesses, had already denied the authority of Parliament, and were now preparing their minds to resist it; among them Mr. Lee was still distinguished for the energy, perseverence, and boldness with which he asserted the rights of the colonies.

As soon as the governor had dissolved the Assembly, the members convened at a private house. They drew up articles of association, binding themselves not to import British manufactures, or to use them, while the revenue acts remained in force, and earnestly exhorted the people to pursue a similar course. Mr. Lee was active in bringing about this measure. By his example and persuasion, he procured an extensive and hearty co-operation in this very efficient method of resistance. The non-importing association spread extensively throughout the colony, and the people adhered to its prohibitions and endured with admirable patience, the diminution of the luxuries, and even the comforts of life to which it subjected them. Mr. Lee in his own per son and in his family, adhered strictly to the articles of the Association; and was as active and vigilant in watching those, whom he suspected of a reluctant acquiescence to the object, for which it had been formed, as he was fearless in exposing any violation that he detected, for it was the duty of every member so far as in his power, to see that no designed breach of the pledges given by the members, should pass unpunished.

The articles of association were kept with patriotic fidelity throughout the colonies; and, as those who suggested the scheme had predicted, the suspension of the trade to the colonies created, in England, a powerful opposition to the measures of the ministry. This ought to have been sufficient to arrest them in their blind and haughty career. Folly itself might have been taught to think, but theirs seems to have been mingled with madness. "Quem Deus vult perdere, prius dementat."

Mr. Lee, prior to the period when the idea of nonintercourse was thus reduced to a system, had resolved not to import for his own use any article of luxury or comfort, while the duty acts remained unrepealed. To the domestic loom he had recourse for clothing for himself and family; and for "wine and oil," he resorted to his own hills. In the following letter to the celebrated Dr. Fothergill, of London, written about this time, the reader will find Mr. Lee, presenting to an English whig, and a friend of America, (towards whom Mr. Lee's heart ever warmed) a sample of wine, which a principle of liberty had extracted from the native grape of his country.

"CHANTILLY, Va. May, 1769.

SIR-Your general humanity deserves the esteem of all; but permit me to say, sir, that your particular kindness to Americans claims their reverence and gratitude. When, therefore, my brother, Dr. Lee, informed me that you wished to have some wine from our native grape, I lost no time in procuring the best for you. Captain Johnson will deliver you a small cask, together with a few bottles of older wine. The first is of last year's vintage, and that in bottles is several years old. This wine is, at present, of the true flavour of our grape, and is very gently acid, a quality natural to this fruit. I wish the season, and the heat of the tobacco load, may not injure it.

I am, with very singular esteem, sir, your most humble and obedient servant,

Dr. FOTHERGILL, London."

RICHARD HENRY LEE..

The regulations of the non-importing association, continue to be strictly and patriotically observed, during the years 1770 and '71. Mr. Lee did not permit his mind to relax its attention to the affairs of the colonies. He kept a constant correspondence with his brother Arthur Lee, and other gentlemen in England, diligently diffusing every information he could obtain, which bore any relation to the interests of the colonies. So long as the duty acts continued in force, he exhorted his fellow citizens to endure every trial and deprivation, rather than encourage a commerce which flourished most vigorously when their liberties were most strongly violated.

The prospects of the colonies were bright or gloomy, as statesmen of different political opinions and connexions were called, by the king, to the administration. Hence the political changes, and even intrigues of those days, were deeply important to the people of America; and are, even now, interesting, since they form links in that chain of events, which led to our long and successful struggle. The following letters cannot fail, then, to entertain the reader, and to afford matter for political reflection. They form a part of the correspondence which Mr. Lee carried on, at this time, with a view to inform his fellow citizens on their political concerns, and to prepare them for the crisis which he saw approaching.

"MY DEAR BROTHER-Colonel Barré is just arrived here, and informs me that Governor Bernard is to be before the king and council, agreeable to the Massachusetts' petition, with a view to deceive the world into a belief of his innocence, not to make any inquiry into his guilt. With this view, only six days' notice is given to the agent to summon his witnesses, three thousand miles distant. The wickedness of this administration can be equalled only by its weakness. For must not this be most egregious, to expect the world will be deceived by so infamous an artifice. The agent has delivered a petition to the council for a delay; whether that will succeed, I know not, but it will render their injustice more

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glaring. He is an upright, spirited, and independent old man, and therefore most obnoxious to Lord H-gh, who has made some mean attempts to injure him. The ministry has so affronted the Duke of Rutland, as to make him resign. It is expected the Marquis of Granby will follow him. 'Tis well they are so rash, as abler men, in these times of corruption, might endanger our liberties. I find my health better than when with you. I pray heaven to guard you.

Yours-Adieu.

BATH, November 9th, 1769."

ARTHUR LEE.

"LONDON, MAY 20th, 1770.

MY DEAR BROTHER-The Parliament being now prorogued, concludes all hopes of any redress of grievances, either for America or Great Britain. Several motions were, a week ago, made in the Commons, and repeated in the Lords, by Mr. Burke and the Duke of Richmond, tending to censure all the measures of this administration, relative to America, especially my Lord Hillsborough's rescinding and promising letters. They were all rescinded in the lump, by a previous question, on which the ministerial majority was three to one. Lord Chatham has made two remarkable motions this session, one for dissolving the Parliament, and one censuring those who advised the rejection of the London remonstrance. They were fruitless, being rejected by a great majority. No ministry ever had less argument, and greater influence.

In the American debate, Lord Hillsborough declared that all hopes of reconciliation with America were vain, unless the whole authority of Parliament was given up, for that it was the navigation act we were aiming to overthrow. Such are the fixed impressions of this dull, arbitrary lord, and the prejudices which he and his tools labour, but too successfully, to infuse into others.

The city of London, unawed by their late rejection,

has voted a second remonstrance to the throne, in very spirited terms, which is to be presented next Wednesday.

Mr. Wilkes sits and acts as alderman, with great applause. The friends of America here, are apprehensive that you will not abide by your non-importation agreements, on which all prospects of a re-establishment of our invaded rights depends. I can hardly think that my countrymen can be so wanting to themselves, as to give their enemies their wish, and sacrifice for a temporary profit or convenience, the liberties of themselves and their posterity. Adieu,

Yours, &c.

ARTHUR LEE."

"MY DEAR BROTHER,-Lord Hillsborough is out. The ostensible cause is, that he dissented to the establishment of a government where our petition is located. But the true reason is, that the Bedford party were determined to remove him, to provide for one of themselves. But in this they were disappointed, for Lord North threatened to resign. They were obliged to sooth him by the appointment of his half-brother, Lord Dartmouth. This place was originally promised him, but the king, as his custom is, deceived him; and it is thought rather shabby in him to accept of it now. However, he is a man of good principles, of a fair character, of exemplary life, and a friend to America. I have no doubt, but that as far as it depends upon him, which indeed is but little, the colonies will not have much cause to complain.

There is no opposition now, nor any forming. At the meeting of the next Parliament, the leaders will hope that the memory of their former follies may be obliterated, and again unite in that opposition which they so shamefully abandoned. Nothing is more uncertain than the revolutions of states, nor can any one form a tolerable conjecture from the appearances of the political sky. This is our only comfort in the midst of a calm which seems to resign every thing to the will of a court, which