Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/215

] providing for the general defence of the colonies against the French by quotas of money, Virginia not only refused to vote its money but with entire unanimity justified its course, despite the special orders from England. Nicholson, having manifested his dissatisfaction in pretty plain terms, with this result, he became unpopular, and as he had been guilty of some acts that would not bear too close scrutiny he was removed in 1705.

The ministers of Queen Anne now adopted a line of policy by no means wise or just. The office of governor was made a sinecure, and so remained for about fifty years, the nominal governor receiving three-fifths of the salary, or £1200 sterling annually, and the deputy governor receiving the balance, or £800 for doing all the work. The Earl of Orkney was the first governor under this arrangement. Edward Nott, the deputy, lived only a year; there was, however, effected during his brief administration a fifth revision of the Virginia code, which had been in progress for some years. Most of the provisions relate to the cases of indented I servants, slaves, the Indians still remaining, etc., and in general the enactments are marked by a desire to promote humanity and justice. Each county was; allowed two burgesses, and Jamestown one, to be elected by the freeholders. The twelve counsellors were allowed about $1600 annually, for their services in attending the General Assembly and Courts, in proportion to the time spent in actual duty.

On Mr. Nott's death, the place of lieutenant was bestowed upon Hunter, afterwards governor of New York, but he having been captured by the French on his passage out, Edmund Jennings, president of the Council for several years, discharged the duties of the post. Alexander Spotswood, a military officer of age, judgment, and conciliating manners, was appointed deputy governor in 1710; and he brought with him the formal extension of the habeas corpus act to the province of Virginia, Soon after his arrival, Spotswood, who seems to have been in advance of his compeers in divining the purposes of the French in the west and south west, undertook an expedition across the Blue Ridge, and thereby opened the way to a knowledge of the country on the Ohio and Western lakes. Although no immediate results followed this expedition, yet it was a good beginning; Spotswood was knighted, and in due time the beautiful valley beyond the Ridge was settled by colonists. In 1711, the province was represented by Spotswood as in a state of entire peace and happiness, and though occasional trials of his equanimity occurred, when Councils were stubborn and Assemblies obstinate, yet, on the whole, the gallant deputy governor passed the thirteen years of his official life in Virginia in quiet and satisfaction; probably Mr. Bancroft is correct in terming him "the best in the line of Virginia governors."

In 1723, Hugh Drysdale was sent out as Spotswood's successor. He proved himself quite acceptable to the Virginians, and reported to the authorities at home that there