One of the books in which I have been doing some reading is Leonidas Dodson's biography of Alexander Spotswood which was published in 1932. I am not going into detail at this time. Instead I am going to give the chapter titles with perhaps some commentary.
Chapter I is the genealogy of Alexander Spotswood (5 pages).
Chapter II is " The Colonial Governor " of 8 pages. These are rather short and serve as introduction.
Chapter III is " Carolina ". North and South Carolina are grouped together, and the two of them were a significant source of trouble for Spotswood. He received no thanks for his troubles. In part, this was due to their being no government in North Carolina to thank him.
Chapter IV is " The Commerce of Virginia " and we are well aware that the major export from Virginia was tobacco. Furs and lumber were also exported and some naval stores. The price of tobacco varied with the weather, production quantities, and whether there was a war going on. Spotswood attempted measures to insure the quality of tobacco, which prevented the dregs from being on the market. Occasionally, production limitations were considered and tried. Both measures were opposed by people in Virginia and in England.
Chapter V is " Indian Relations ". This took quite a bit of time. Of all of the activities in which Spotswood engaged, I admire him the most for his outlook and practices toward the Indians. He was fair and firm and the Indians recognized him for being so.
Chapter VI is " The People Oppose ". The people, as represented by the House of Burgesses, which was elected by the propertied free citizens, often opposed Spotswood. He found it difficult to get measures passed. The House even sent a bill of complaint to London complaining of his behavior and proposals.
Chapter VII is " The Land System ".
Chapter VIII is " Governor and Council ", and recounts the opposition by many of the Council members. Often they were unanimous, which was not difficult, since the majority were related.
Chapter IX is " The Church ", and tells of Spotswood's efforts to control and organize the clergy in Virginia. One member of the Council, Mr. Blair, felt that Spotswood was impinging upon his territory, since he, Blair, had been appointed Commissary by the Bishop of London, who oversaw Virginia's churches. [Since Queen Anne and King George were the head of the Church in England, and since Spotswood was their representative, it is easy to see how serious conflicts developed.]
The next four chapters are, " Defense on Land and Sea ", " The West ", " Reconciliation and Devolution ", and " The Planter ".
There was a great deal to keep Spotswood busy, and he did not shy away from what he considered his duties.
(16 Sep 04)
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