Don't get the Fauquier out of here
As we cover 1759 in this year of 2023, we run into a refusal 5 March 1759. Both the Executive Council and House of Burgesses agree that Lt Gov Fauquier should not leave the colony to attend a Philadephia Conference presided over by General Amherst. Fauquier will be the first Virginia leader who will not go to a conference held by a British General over all of North America.
Both William Pitt, leader of this whole world wide war effort, and General Amherst. now leader of all North America, wrote a letter to invite Virginia's help.
The previous Generals commanding North America had a previous Lt Governor attend such a conference.
Lt Gov Dinwiddie went to both Braddock's "Grand Congress" in Alexandria and to Lord Loudoun's Conference in Philadelphia.
But Fauquier is not so inclined to disagree with his legislature.
Now that Fort Duquesne is no more, and a Fort Pitt being built in its place, the direct threat to Virginia has been largely reduced.
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So much for the power of the King George II, right?
The King just did not have the technology or societal pressure to coerce compliance did they?
Nor did the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor, Francis Fauquier, acts as governor for the absent Governor ( the real titled Governor Lord Loudoun and then General Amherst ) . Fauquier did not choose to override his Executive Council (its duties being an upper chamber, advisor to the executive, and a court of last resort before matters went to London's Privy Council). Nor did Fauquier choose to go against the House of Burgesses (the lower, larger people's house).
That's it.
That's our lead story.
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Compiled and authored by Jim Moyer 3/13/2023, update 3/14/2023, 3/15/2023, 3/25/2023
Table of Contents
Executive Council's refusal
At a Council held March 5th 1759 Present
The Governor (Lt Gov Francis Fauquier)
John Blair (President)
Peter Randolph
William Nelson Philip Ludwell Esqrs .
Thomas Nelson Mr. Commissary
The Governor communicated a Letter from Mr. Secretary Pitt dated Decemr 9th signifying his Majesty's Pleasure in Relation to this Colony's raising for the ensuing Campaign as large a Number of Men as possible, to act in Conjunction with the British Forces, in offensive Operations against our Enemies; likewise a Letter from Major - General Amherst , recommending and enforcing the same.
The Governor was pleas'd also to communicate to the Council , and desire their Opinion and Advice upon another Letter from General Amherst , inviting his Honor to meet him and the Governors of the neighbouring Colonies at Philadelphia, in order to treat of, and fall upon Ways and Means of attaching the Indians more firmly to his Majesty, and of promoting the common Interest .
Upon which it was the Opinion of the Council , that his Honor's leaving the Colony at this critical Time , must necessarily retard the important Business of this Session of Assembly (which ought to be expedited as soon as possible) and be productive of many great Inconveniencies, and that his continuing here, would tend more to advance the Service of his Majesty, and the common Good of the Colony : And they advis'd his Honor to excuse himself to the General for not complying with his Request by assisting at the Meeting proposed , as the weighty Affairs of this Government will not admit of his Absence from it .
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#151 (p.133)
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House of Burgesses' refusal
Monday the 5th of March 32 Geo. II 1759
[meaning the 32nd year of George II reign]
Gentlemen of the Council, M' Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Houfe of Burgeffes, I have very lately received Letters from M' Secretary Pitt, and Major-General Amherft, in Relation to this Colony's raifing for the enfuing Campaign as large a Number of Men
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#104 (p.78) [ 78]
as pofflble, to ad in Conjundion with the Britifh Forces in offenfive Operations againft the Enemies of his Majefty and his Kingdoms, which I propofe now to lay before you.
It would argue the higheft Vanity in me to imagine that any Perfuafions I could ufe to a brave, free, and loyal People, could add any Weight to the Defires of a King, who, by extending his Care equally over all his SubjeAs, is defervedly become the great Objed of their Affedions; notifyed by a Minifter of known Integrity and Zeal for the Welfare of the American Colonies, and recommended by a General of experienced Valor, Prudence, and Adivity; all tending to the great Point of feciiring this and the neighbouring Colonies from any future Encroachments and Difturbances from the French and their Indian Allies. N otwithftanding this Convidion, I fhould be deficient in the Duty I owe to his Majefty, if I did not, in the warmeft Manner, recommend to you to exert your utnioft Force and Strength on this Occafioii: The Fir ft, in which I have been required to ufe any Endeavours to influence your Adions, fince the Appointment I am honored tvith to take upon me the Adminiftration of your Affairs. Sorry I am, tltat your Reprefentations of Incapacity have in fame Meafure ftopped my Mouth, for it is not in my Nature to prefs upon Neceffity: But you have the Royal Word, that ftrong Recommendations will be made in your Favor to tlic Britifli Parliament, that you may receive a proper Compenfation for your Expences; and the End in View tends immediately to your Advantage, while Great Britain, whofe Expences liave been immenfe in Defence of this Continent, luill reap hers but at fecond- hand.
By a Letter from Major-General Amherft, you tvill fee that I have received an Invita- tion to meet him and the Governors of the neighbouring Colonies at Philadelphia, to affift at a Confultation for the promoting their common Intereft. If the Bufinefs of this Seffion was drawing towards a Conclufion, or if any Expedient could be found out by which, dur- ing my Abfence, it might be carried on to the Advancement of his Majefty's Arms, and to the Eafe of you. Gentlemen, I fhould be glad to render my Services to both by my Prefence at this Meeting. As this is a Point of Confequence, and is attended with fame Difficulties, the Advice of this General Affembly how to ad in it would be highly agreeable to me, and I fhall refer it to your Confideration with my ftrongeft Affurances that my greateft Ambi- tion is to be ufeful to this Colony in any Place, and by every Meafure ivhich may he thought to he mo ft conducive thereto.
M"" Speaker alfo reported. That the Governor had delivered to him the feveral Letters mentioned in his Speech, and defired him to lay them before the Houfe: And he accordingly delivered them in at the Table, where they were read, and ordered to lie on the Table. Upon a Motion made,
Refolved,
That this Houfe will refolve itfelf into a Committee to confider of the Governor's Speech immediately.
Ordered,
That the Letters from M"- Secretary Pitt and Major-General Amherft be referred to the Confideration of the faid Committee. And then the Houfe refolved itfelf into a Committee upon the faid Speech and Letters; and after fome Time fpent therein, M'' Speaker refumed the Chair, and M^ Charles Carter reported. That the Committee had had the faid Speech and Letters under their Confideration, and gone through the fame, and had come to two Refolu- tions thereupon, which they had dire<5led him to report to the Houfe; and he read the fame in his Place, and then delivered them in at the Table, where they were again twice read, and agreed to by the Houfe, with an Amendment, as follow:
Refolved,
That the Regiment in the Pay of this Colony, already voted to be com- pleated to one Thoufand Men, is as much as can be fupported in the prefent diftreffed Situation of the Colony.
Refolved,
That as the Bufinefs of this Seffion is not near a Conclufion, and that it cannot be carried on during the Abfence of the Governor; his leaving the Colony
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#105 (p.79) [ 79]
at this Time will too long retard the railing the Men voted by this Affembly, and put a Stop to all the other public Bufinefs. Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up an Addrefs to the Governor, purfuant to the faid Refolution ; and it is refen'ed to M"" Landon Carter and M"^ Pendle- ton to prepare and bring in the fame.
And then the Houfe adjourned till To-morrow Morning Eleven "'Clock.
Monday the 5th of March 32 Geo. II 1759
MR Landon Carter reported, That the Committee appointed had, according to Order, prepared an Addrefs to the Governor, which he read in his Place and afterwards delivered in at the Table, where the fame was again twice read, and agreed to, and is as follows:
Sir, If any Thing could add Weight to the Defires of a King, juftly diftinguifhed by his paternal Care, equally extended to all his People, your Honor may affiire yoiirfelf, it would be the warm and affedionate Solicitation of a truly Patriot Governor.
Thefe endearing Motives, joined with thofe that may be reafonably expeded to refult from a vigorous Profecution of the common Caufe, do naturally influence our Confidta- tions in Favor of every Requeft that his Majefty's Concern for our Welfare may incline him to make, or your Duty induce you to recommend.
How forry then muft we be, when the Incapacity of the Country obliges us to inform your Honor, that we cannot fupport a greater Number of Forces than one complete Regiment for the enfuing Campaign?
The near Approach of the Time appointed for the Rendezvous of the Forces that we are now endeavouring to provide for, together with many other Matters of public Utility, which are abfolutely neceffary to be effeded this Seffion of Affembly, and which cannot be forwarded with the Expedition required in Major-General Amherft's Invitation, are Arguments fufficient to convince of the Importance of your Honor's Prefence; And as we know of no Expedient that can be propofed, confiftent with our Conftitution, to remedy the Inconveniences and Delays that will arife from your Abfence; permit us. Sir, not only to advife, but earneftly to defire your Honor not to leave the Colony at this Jundure.
Ordered,
That the faid Addrefs be fairly tranfcribed, and prefented by the whole Houfe.
Ordered,
That the Committee who prepared the fame wait on the Governor to know his Pleafure when they fhall attend his Honor to prefent it.
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