Arrest that Preacher for Impugning Burgesses!
Debate in the House of Burgesses over the proposed Two Penny Bill turned nasty in September 1758.
In the following excerpts from the Journal of the House of Burgesses,
the Reverend Jacob Rowe is sanctioned
and then apologizes for comments
he made in a private conversation
that were overhead
by burgess William Kennon.
The Two Penny Act of 1758 was signed into law by Lieutenant Governor Francis Fauquier, on behalf of George II, on October 12, 1758. Some spelling has been modernized and contractions expanded.
Source:
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Compiled by Jim Moyer in March 2023, post 4 April 2023, but post dated it for 21 Sept 2022 since we covered 1758 in the year 2022
Table of Contents
SANCTIONED
Thursday, the 21st of September, 32 Geo. II. 1758
[32nd year of King George II in power]
THE House being informed by one of the Members that the Reverend Mr Jacob Rowe, Professor of Philosophy in the College of William and Mary, did on Thursday Evening last, in a public Company speak the following Words, to wit,
" How many of the House of Burgesses were to be hanged ? That every Member who should vote for settling the Parsons Salaries in Money, would be Scoundrels, and that if any Member wanting to receive the Sacrament, was to apply to him, he would refuse to administer it."
Resolved,
That the faid Words are fcandalous and malicious, highly refledling on the Honor and Dignity of the House of Burgeffes, and that the faid M' Rowe, in fpeaking the fame is guilty of an open Violation and Breach of the Privileges of this House.
Ordered,
That the faid Jacob Rowe, be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms.
APOLOGY
Friday, the 22nd of September, 32 Geo. II. 1758. — page 17 — Journals of the House of Burgesses, 1758—1761, Page 17 […] A Petition of Jacob Rowe was presented to the House and read, setting forth, That the Petitioner is informed he hath unhappily offended and incurred the Censure of this House by uttering certain contumelious Words of the Members thereof, in Presence of one of them. That he is sincerely sorry for his Offence, which was committed without any evil Intention or Design to derogate from the Dignity and Honor of this House, in a private Conversation at his Friend’s House, without knowing the Gentleman then — page 18 — Journals of the House of Burgesses, 1758—1761, Page 18 present to be a Member, and to which he was too easily and indiscreetly provoked by some rude Expressions used by some of the Company, against that sacred Order to which he belongs. As the only Proof therefore that is now left him that his Offence did not arise from a Want of a due Difference and Respect to this House, he humbly and readily submits himself to their Pleasure. Ordered, That the said Jacob Rowe be discharged out of Custody paying Fees.
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SOURCE:
Compiled by Jim Moyer in March 2023, post 4 April 2023, but post dated it for 21 Sept 2022 since we covered 1758 in the year 2022
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