CHAP. VI.] ITS REWARD. 237 but to wanton devastation-his "roofs " given "to the flames," and if not his "flesh to the eagles," that of his servants to the more terrible talons of the pestilence-a particular and studied attempt made to seize his own person-and all this, not by some fierce partisan out from under the eye of his superiors, but by the orders, and a good share of it under the immediate eye, of the British Lieutenant General in America! But, we gladly add, no German hand, it is believed, applied the torch, no German spur urged the hot pursuit! CHAPTER VII. 1779-1780. Jefferson chosen Governor of Virginia-John Page his Competitor-Gloomy Condition of Affairs-Particularly so in the South-Weakness of the three Southern States-Statistical and Natural Causes therefor-The British Plan-War transferred to the SouthWar changes in its Spirit-British Commissioners to Bribe Americans-Their Strange Manifesto-Condition of Virginia-Her Natural Exposure to the Enemy-No Fortifications-Her Militia without Arms-A Nursery of Men and Provisions-How freely she supplied these to the Cause-But wholly destitute of defensive Strength-Washington Responsible for her Military Policy-Never was State so exposed to Invasion-General Matthews's Invasion before Jefferson's Accession-Colonel Lawson's Account of itDangers in the West--Hamilton, British Governor of Detroit-His Atrocities to American Prisoners-His projected Campaign of 1779-Colonel Clarke had taken Kaskaskias-His Winter March against Hamilton-Incredible Hardships-Takes St. Vincenne and captures Hamilton-Randolph compares Clarke to Hannibal-Hamilton placed in Irons General Phillips interferes Jefferson consults Washington-Washington's Reply-Retaliations menaced on both Sides-Was Retaliation by Americans expedient?-Machinations in and out of Congress-Virginia ratifies French Treaties Spain declares War--Jefferson takes Possession of Western Country-Anecdote of Colonel Clarke-Territorial Claims of Virginia opposed in Congress-State Rights-Count d'Estaing arrives on the Coast-French and Americans attack Savannah-Webster and other British Officers-Clinton takes Charleston-Losses of Virginia-Losses at Monk's Corners-British Advance-Tarleton cuts Buford to Pieces-Description of Tarleton and his Legion-Lee's Statements respecting British Cruelties-A theory on the Subject-Campaign suspended-De Kalb sent South-Energetic Provisions of Virginia A Fatal Lack-Efforts of the Virginia Ladies-Governor Jefferson's ActivityLetter to Washington-Impressment as a Substitute for Money-Jefferson's Unsectional Spirit-His Letters to Washington, Gates and Stevens-He adheres to Washington-Battle of Camden-Shameful Conduct of Virginia Militia-Sumpter surprised by Tarleton-Cornwallis kept inactive by Illness of his Troops-Gloomy Prospects of the South-Jefferson's Letters to Washington, Stevens, and Gates-Virginia Militia desert -Governor's Proceedings thereon-His further Letters-Gates requests no more Men sent Jefferson's Reply-Operations in Western Virginia-Project against DetroitGovernor consults Washington-Gives Clarke an Option-Clarke scourges the Hostile Tribes-Border Heroism-Project against Detroit renewed-The Governor asks Aid of General Washington-Survey of the Mouth of the James-Governor applies to have the French Fleet Winter in the Chesapeake-An Error of Girardin-Proceedings of Virginia Legislature-Cornwallis advances on North Carolina-Clinton's infamous Proclamation-Fully carried out by Cornwallis-Cornwallis's intercepted Letter-His Conduct considered-Consequences of it-Battle of King's Mountain-Tories hung -Gates's Remarks thereon-Just Retaliation-Its Effect Good-Effect of the Battle of King's Mountain-Gates superseded by Greene. ON the first day of June, 1779, Mr. Jefferson was chosen Governor of Virginia. He was the second Republican incum 288 CHAP. VII.] JEFFERSON GOVERNOR. 239 bent of that office, taking the place of Patrick Henry, who, having served three years, was disqualified by the Constitution for a reëlection for the space of the next three years. Mr. Jefferson's early friend, John Page, was his competitor on this occasion. He had served at the head of the Privy Council, and in that capacity had acted as Lieutenant Governor. He was a gentleman of ability, an active patriot, and belonged to a family of great influence in the State. The competition between him and Jefferson was involuntary on the part of both; and was followed by explanations between them evincing a high sense of delicacy and mutual respect. Mr. Jefferson was thirty-six years old when he entered upon the chief magistracy of Virginia. The period, in the opinion of General Washington,' was more gloomy in the affairs of the whole country than any by which it had been preceded. The last campaign had been productive of few important results on either side. But the French alliance, without yet introducing into the country anything like a counterpoise to the British. strength, had infused a fatal security into the public mind. Enlistments were far more difficult to be procured. Men were not so willing to leave their all, when it was no longer urged by necessity and despair. The State legislatures reflected the public feeling, and their efforts were proportionably languid. For the South, a new and gloomier era was opening. Hitherto, the active operations of the war, and consequently its direct and desolating ravages, had been principally confined to the North. But the unexpected degree of resistance made by the Colonies, or States, as a whole, and the now open adhesion of France, compelled the British Government to change its policy. That government had become convinced that the prospect of reconquering the entire country was all but desperate. The fertile Southern provinces had fewer natural or artificial defences than the Northern, and they were far more thinly Dopulated. Georgia contained but about twenty-seven thousand white inhabitants, South Carolina about ninety-three thousand, and North Carolina about one hundred and eighty-three thousand. The three together did not contain, by nearly fifty thousand, the number of whites in Massachusetts alone, while 1 See his Correspondence of the year. U. S. Census of 1850, folio edition, p. xxxi. We have followed its estimate for 240 GLOOMY SOUTHERN PROSPECTS. CHAP. VII. their territory was more than double that of New England entire.' The scattered agricultural population of the South could not be easily concentrated for military purposes; the low level country where most of its population then resided, was unfavorable for defence by irregular troops, and was particularly accessible to a foe by means of its rivers; while the remote and isolated position of these States, with respect to most of the stronger parts of the Confederacy, cut them off from the chance of speedy succor except by sea. But notwithstanding the strong fleets sent from France, the British had generally, thus far, maintained an incontestable superiority in the North American waters. They could strike a sudden and serious blow, from New York, at any point south of Cape Charles-in fact, south of Cape May-before an efficient resistance could be matured out of the provincial militia, necessarily intent most of the time. on their occupations as husbandmen, and long before reinforcements of regulars could arrive from those northern points, where the presence of the main force of the enemy and the consequent policy of the American commander-in-chief, kept them principally concentrated. The British plan-adopted some time in 1778, and just entered upon before the close of the campaign that year-was, therefore, to seize and utterly subjugate Georgia and the Carolinas, restoring them by one decisive effort to the Crown, and returning the people to their allegiance by reëstablishing royal governments. This point gained, the career of reconquest north was to be governed by circumstances. The control of the Chesapeake, the natural outlet of such an immense region of country, was a prize worth a determined struggle. In any event, then, Virginia was to become, ultimately, the debatable ground, for the three Southern States were certain not to be given up without a protracted and bloody struggle to save them by their northern sisters. Virginia, particularly, lying next them, would fiercely put forth her last and most desperate efforts for their protection. The war was to change as much in its character as in its the 1775, in regard to the three preceding States. In the same, the whole population of Massachusetts is given at 352,000. Georgia, South and North Carolina contain, according to the best authority, 131,500 square miles; New England, entire, 58,280, of which Maine (then but little inhabited) comprises 35,000. CHAP. VII.] WAR CHANGED IN CHARACTER. 241 atre. Hitherto, some moderation had been observed by the invaders, because they did not regard conciliation as utterly hopeless. Parliament sent three Commissioners (Carlisle, Eden, and Johnstone), to offer terms to the Colonies, in the spring of 1778. They reached Philadelphia, then in the hands of the English, in June. Congress refused to negotiate on any other basis than that of a recognition of American independence and the withdrawal of the British forces. The Commissioners thereupon. made an effort-perhaps the real one for which they were sent -to divide and disaffect the Americans, and to seduce over their officers and prominent men, by direct bribes and by munificent promises of influence, titles, and estates in the country when it should be brought back to its allegiance. This attempt produced very little effect, and Congress finally forbade all further communication with these emissaries. The latter, therefore, on the 3d of October, issued a manifesto, which they sent to Congress, the State legislatures, and scattered as widely as possible among the people, containing this remarkable avowal of the future spirit in which the war would be carried on: "The policy, as well as benevolence of Great Britain, have thus far checked the extremes of war, where they tended to distress a people still considered as our fellow subjects, and to desolate a country shortly to become a source of mutual advantage: but when that country professes the unnatural design, not only of estranging herself from us, but of mortgaging herself to our enemies, the whole contest is changed; and the question is, how far Great Britain may, by every means in her power, destroy or render useless a connection contrived for her ruin, and for the aggrandizement of France. Under such circumstances, the laws of self-preservation must direct the conduct of Great Britain; and if the British Colonies are to become an accession to France, will direct her to render that accession of as little avail to her as possible." If these extraordinary declarations were intended for the purpose of intimidation, none the less was it also intended they should be literally and fearfully executed! Let us now pause a moment to glance at the condition of Virginia, and her preparedness for the part which she would be soon called upon to play. The Chesapeake gave her, practically, as extended a line of sea-board to be defended, as any other State. -while a superior naval power could, with a few ships at the mouth of that great estuary, blockade her entire coast, except in the unimportant matter of transit between the ports within the bay. Her numerous navigable rivers gave an enemy easy VOL. I.-16 |