commenced his military career. After commanding with reputation in Italy, Bohemia, and Germany, he was sent to America in the year 1756, when he succeeded Dieskau as commander in chief in Canada. Soon after his arrival he took Oswego, and Fort William Henry, and in the year 1758 he repulsed general Abercrombie with much slaughter from the walls of Ticonderoga. His fall and that of Quebec were equally distressing to his country.

CHAPTER XI.

WE are now verging on a period when the encroachments of the British government upon the rights of her colonies began to awake in the latter a spirit of opposition and resistance. The laurels won from her rival, by her gallant officers and veteran armies, were doomed to wither beneath the sway of an unwise and obstinate ministry. A succession of measures, as hostile to the liberties as annoying to the feelings of the colonists, began to excite murmurs and discontent, which soon grew to open and avowed opposition.

The first measure that brought fairly to trial the sovereignty of the British parliament, and the degree to which the submission of the colonies would extend, was the passage of the stamp act. The assembly was in session in the

year 1765, when intelligence was received of the passage of this alarming act.

The assembly of Virginia expressed their opinion of this measure in several resolutions, brought forward by Patrick Henry, Esquire, declaratory of the rights of the colonies, and condemning as unconstitutional any attempt to impose on them taxes without their own

consent.

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On the day in which that odious law was to into operation, not a sheet of stamped paper was to be found, and every transaction that depended upon it was suspended. A general ferment pervaded the public mind, and petitions, remonstrances and resolutions showed in what direction the tide of popular opinion flowed. This odious law was soon after repealed, but the arbitrary spirit which gave it birth was not so easily extinguished. The repeal was accompanied by a declaratory act, asserting the right of the government to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever. She soon gave a better proof of her right by imposing certain duties on tea, glass, and some other articles imported into the

colonies. This measure, generally denominated the tea act, excited an opposition, if not so general, yet in some places much more violent than that excited by the stamp act.

During the year 1767 died Francis Fauquier, lieutenant governor of Virginia, at the age of sixty-five years. The government devolved on John Blair until the arrival of lord Botetourt, which happened in the following year.

The address of Botetourt to the assembly which met first after his arrival, was, like his own character, mild and conciliatory. During the sitting of that body, however, several resølutions were passed, condemning the measures of government, in consequence of which the governor felt it his duty to dissolve them. Having summoned the burgesses to meet him in the council chamber, he there presented them with the following laconic address, “Mr. "Speaker, and gentlemen of the house of bur"6 gesses, I have heard of your resolves, and augur ill of their effects; you have made it "my duty to dissolve you, and you are dis"solved accordingly."

The members having met in a private house in town, appointed a speaker and formed' unanimously a non-importation agreement.

The governor used all his influence to promote the interests, and restore the peace of the colonies. His death, which happened in 1771, cast a gloom over the affairs of Virginia. Equally celebrated for the soundness of his judgment and the honesty of his heart, lord Botetourt received and merited the affections of the people. Never was the administration of the government in the hands of one more beloved, or whose death was more justly lamented. The assembly testified their respect for his character by passing a resolution to erect a statue to his memory.

William Nelson, being president of the council, occupied the chair of government until the arrival of lord Dunmore in the year 1772. This nobleman had been governor of New York, from which place he was removed to Virginia. He had previously sent on his family, under the care of captain Foy, his private secretary, an officer who had won some glory in