The Minute Book of the Board of Trade and Plantations recorded a fact that had not been expected. Lt. Gov. Spotswood and the Virginia Council buried their hatchet and agreed to work together. Part of the incentive was the message that William Byrd took to Virginia on his return after almost four years in London. He had observed the growing opposition to both Spotswood and the Virginia Council in London, where they were tired of the bickering in Virginia. The Earl of Orkney had suggested that perhaps one or the other should be removed from the job.
Probably Spotswood realized that his job was in jeopardy and could not be counted on much longer as a source of income. He tentatively had staked a claim to a very large tract of land to the west of Germanna. In fact, he had seventy-odd Germans already living on it. Paying for it would be something of a challenge, but his hope lay in the power of being the (Lt.) Governor. Therefore, it was in his best interests to work with other people in Virginia.
The Minute Book records an interesting item on 16 August 1720. Mr. Joseph Boon, Agent for Carolina, and Col. Barwell, who had left Carolina in the late winter, explained the state of affairs in Carolina to the Commissioners. They said that the colony had been divided into North and South Carolina and advised that North Carolina might be more profitably united with Virginia than with South Carolina. The two gentlemen explained that the Indian traders from Carolina and Virginia were not cooperating, even in the face of the threat from the French.
Indian and French questions were a major source of concern to the Commissioners. The strength of the French and their cooperation with the Indians at the "back of Virginia" were discussed. Col. Spotswood had undertaken measures to cultivate Indian friendship.
On 2 Dec 1720, word was received from Virginia that Dr. Cock, Secretary of Virginia, had died. He had also been a member of the Council. The recommendation was to split the posts between Mr. John Robinson and Col. Jennings with Robinson to the Council.
22 Dec 1720. Mr. M. Perry and other merchants trading to Virginia complained that the British warships had failed to protect merchant ships off the coast of Virginia from raids by Spanish pirates. Also, the navy had accepted freight as cargo. The Commissioners advised the merchants to complain to the Lords of the Admiralty. (Arguments continued between civil authorities and the Admiralty on other matters.)
On 22 Mar 1721 (NS), a letter from Col. Spotswood enclosed copies of three Acts passed by the Virginia Assembly in the previous November. [These Acts were to have a profound influence on the Germanna people.]
(12 Sep 00)
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.