Extend the Virginia Regiment in 1760, Stay the Cause
Wrapping up March of 1760, we have two stories.
The first story --- we see that Lt Gov Fauquier announces Amherst as new Governor of Virginia and Commander in Chief of Virginia to replace Lord Loudoun as Governor. Lt Governors in Virginia did the actual business of governing. The Governor got the title and pay and rarely interfered with the business of the Lt Governor or of his executive council or of the House of Burgesses unless London intervened.
The 2nd story --- we see that the Lt Gov has requested the House of Burgesses to extend the pay and support of the Virginia Regiment even though Virginia appears unthreatened at this time since Fort Duquesne was abandoned in Nov 1758.This funding helps those still in the Va Regiment at Fort Loudoun too.
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The King still needs the help of Virginia for building the future Fort Pitt. And Virginia itself sees a growing threat of the Cherokee war spilling into their southern border.
Notice the House of Burgesses funds this measure by raising taxes later. Kicking the can down the road, this is of course. Those tax increases will unknowingly rise in 1767 and 1768 just when London levies taxes on the colonies.
In this request to keep helping London on this war with France, we also can see London has a good case for needing help.
See those words for London's cause. Lt Gov Fauquier speaks for this cause:
I Have called you together at this juncture,
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The Expediency of keeping up this reputable Body of Men will fully appear to you,
from the Letters I have received from Major-Generals Amherst and Stanwix, Governor Lyttleton, and Colonel Byrd, all of which I shall immediately lay before you, for your better Information :
Could I add any thing to what these Gentlemen have wrote on this Head?
I would remind you, that Great Britain,
notwithstanding the enormous Debt under which she at present labors,
is raising many Millions for the Service of the ensuing Year;
that not- withstanding the Invasion with which she was threatened,
and the Sums expended for the Defence of her own Coasts,
fhe has never been backward in supporting and defending her Colonies,
but has, like a true and tender Mother,
in Part reimbursed them for the Expences
they have been at in their own Defence,
as is evident by the annual Grants of Parliament for the Support and Encouragement of the Colonies;
and we can have no Room to doubt of her future Benevolence towards us.
As a farther Motive to induce you to pursue this salutary Measure, consider the present declining State of France ; her Trade ruined, her Navy destroyed, her Treasury Bankrupt,
and
and the Spirits of her People so entirely broke,
that she is become rather an Object of Pity than of Resentment:
From these Circumstances, it is most probable that the Blessings of Peace will soon attend us; will you not then persevere to the lastf
Will you tarnish the Honour and Reputation you have justly acquired, by withdrawing yourselves at the Close of the Day?
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I have the farther pleasure to inform you that I have received a Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, appointing Major-General Amherst to be Governor and Commander in Chief of this Colony;
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Resolved,
That the Regiment now in the Pay of this Colony be farther continued, in the Service of this Colony untill the firft Day of November next.
Resolved,
That 300 of the faid Regiment be farther continued, in the said Service, from the faid firft Day of November, to the first Day of April following, if it shall be so thought necessary by the Governor, or Commander in Chief of this Colony.
Resolved,
That a sum, not exceeding ; £2o,ooo, be raised for the Pay and Maintenance of the said Forces untill the said firft Day of April.
Upon a Motion made,
Resolved,
That this Houfe will resolve itself into a Committee, to consider of Ways and Means to raise the Sum of ;£2o,ooo, pursuant to the Resolutions of the faid Com- mittee this Day agreed to by the House, To-morrow.
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Resolved,
That the Sum of £20,000, to be raifed for the [Pay] and Maintenance of the Forces to be continued in the Service of this Colony be raised by a Tax of one Shillng and Three pence on every Hundred Acres of Land in the Years 1767 and 1768, and two Shillings on every Tithable Person in this Colony, in the Year 1768.
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