George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 3, 15th edition.

[27] this system by the crown increased the aversion to

Chap XIX.}

raising money; so that Virginia refused to contribute its quota to the defence of the colonies against France,

Present State, p. 62

and not only disregarded the special orders for assisting Albany, but with entire unanimity, and even with the assent of the council, justified its disobedience. While other provinces were exhausted by taxation, in eleven years, eighty-three pounds of tobacco for each

Spotswood.

poll was the total sum levied by all the special acts of

1707 to 1718

the assembly of Virginia.

The very existence of the forms of representation led to comparison. Virginia was conscious of its importance to the mother country; and its inhabitants, long aware that their liberties were less than those of New England, were put ‘upon a nice inquiry into the

Quarry

circumstances of the government.’ England also provoked a generous rivalry. ‘The assembly concluded itself entitled to all the rights and privileges of an English parliament;’ and the records of the house of commons were examined in search of precedents favorable to legislative freedom.

The constitution of the Church in Virginia cherished colonial freedom; for the act of 1642, which established it, reserved the right of presentation to the parish. The license of the bishop of London, and the recommendation of the governor, availed, therefore, but little. Sometimes the parish rendered the establishment nugatory by its indolence of action; sometimes

Jones, 103.

the minister, if acceptable to the congregation, was

Present State.

received, but not presented. It was the general custom

1703

to hire the minister from year to year. A legal opinion

Barradale, Ms

was obtained from England, that the minister is an incumbent for life, and cannot be displaced by his parishioners; but the vestry kept themselves the