Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/459

 APPENDIX. vii

penetrate : we shall aggrandize the new state, whose connexions, views, and designs we know not, shall cease to be formidable to our savage neighbours, or respectable to our western settlements, at present, and in future.

While these and many other matters were contemplated by the executive, it is natural to suppose, the attempt for separation was discouraged, by every lawful means ; the chief of which was, displacing such of the field officers of militia, in Washington county, as were active partizans for separation, in order to prevent the weight of office being cast in the scale against this state : to this end a proclamation was issued, declaring the militia law of tlie last session, in force, in that county, and appointments of officers were made agreeably to it.

I hope to be excused for expressing a wish, that the assembly, in deUberat- ing on this affair, will prefer lenient measures in order to reclaim our erring fellow-citizens. Their taxes have run into three years arrear, and, thereby, grown to an amount beyond the ability of many to discharge, while the sys- tem of our trade has been such, as to render their agriculture unproductive of money ; and I cannot but suppose that if, even the warmest supporters of separation had seen the miscliievous consequences of it, they would have re- tracted; and condemned that intem.perance in their own proceedings, which opposition in sentiments is too apt to produce.

A letter from the countess of Huntingdon and another from Sir James Jay, expressing her intentions to attempt the civilization of the Indians, are also sent you. It will rest wHlithe assembly to decide upon die means for exe- cuting this laudable design, that reflects so much honour on that worthy lady.

By a resolution of the last assembly, the auditors were prevented from li- quidating the^ claims of the officers and soMiers, after the 1st day of May last. Although the wisdom of such a measure must be admitted, yet several cases have come to my knowledge where claims, founded upon the clearest prin- ciples of justice, have been rejected by reason of that restriction : and when I consider that the claimants will be found to consist, inconsiderable degree, of widows, orphans, and those who have been taken prisoners, I am persuad- ed the assembly will think that a rigorous adherence to the forementioned resolution is improper, and that justice will be done to the claims of those few, whose poverty, ignorance, or other misfortunes, prevented earlier appli- cations.

By Mr. Ross's letter. No. 5, the assembly will observe his demand against the state, and that it can be properly discussed only by the legislature. Al- though the post at Point of Fork has been long occupied, I cannot discover the least trace of title to the ground vested in the pubhc, or any previous sti- pulation with the proprietor for the temporary possession of it. While the assembly are considering of a proper satisfaction to the owner for the time past, I trust provision will be made to secure a permanent repository for the public arms and military stores, at that or some other place most proper for the purpose.

The honourable William Nelson hath resigned his office as a member of the council, as appears by his letter, No. 6.

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