April 15th." John Nicholas, gentleman, deputy attor.ney of this County, having refused to officiate, the Court do recommend Gabriel Jones, gentleman, to his Honor the Governor, as a fit person to transact his Majesty's affairs in this county."

May, 1746.-" John Preston came into Court and prayed leave to prove his importation, which was granted him : and thereupon he made oath that, at his own charge, he had imported himself, Elizabeth his wife, William his son, and Lettica and Ann his daughters, immediately from Ireland into this colony, and that this is the first time of proving his said right, in order to partake of his Majesty's bounty for taking up land." At the same Court it was "ordered that Edward Boyle for damning the Court and swearing four oaths in their presence, be put in the stocks for two hours and be fined twenty shillings."

May 21st, 1747.-George Wythe, the celebrated lawyer and signer of the Declaration of Independence, qualified to practice as an attorney in this Court. The Grand Jury presented five persons as swearers and two for Sabbathbreaking.

May 20th, 1748.-"On the motion of Matthew Lyle, yts ordered to be certified, that they have built a Presbyterian Meeting-house at a place known by the name of Timber Ridge; another at New Providence; and another at a place known by the name of Falling Spring." Dissenters were permitted to worship only at certain authorized places.

May 17th, 1749.-" Jacob Castle being accused by the oath of Adam Harmon for threatening to goe over to and be aiding and assisting to the French against his Majesty's forces, as appears by precept under the hand of John Buchanon and George Robinson, gentlemen, its ordered that the Sheriff take the said Castle into custody."

Gabriel Jones, whose name has occurred several times,

was the first, and for a long time, the only lawyer that lived in this region of country. He was, therefore, emphatically the lawyer. He lived near Port Republic, and the road he travelled to Court is still known as the Lawyer's road. An incident, which is said to have occurred at a period much later than any of the preceding dates, is related to show the extent of his influence. He was once engaged in a case and had Judge Holmes, then a young man, as opposing counsel. The Judge was mischievous and witty, and contrived to get the old gentleman in a furious passion, when he became very profane. After bearing with him for some time, the Court consulted together to determine what should be done. To think of punishing lawyer Jones was altogether out of the question; so the presiding Justice gravely gave in this wise decision:-"That if Mister Holmes did not quit worrying Mister Jones and making him curse and swear so, he should be sent to jail."

J. A. W.

Staunton.

THE ASSOCIATION IN WILLIAMSBURG, IN 1770.

[We copy the following paper from the Virginia Gazette of June 28th, 1770, (an odd number that we happen to have,) and cannot doubt that it will be read with lively interest, as furnishing a fine illustration of the old Virginia spirit of that day. Our colonial fathers could not lawfully forbid or prevent the importation of British or foreign goods, but they could abstain from importing, or using them after they were brought into the country; and they were ready to suffer any inconvenience, in order to maintain their true constitutional rights and liberties as British freemen, against the arbitrary acts of the British Parliament,

intended and calculated to circumvent them. It will be observed that the most eminent names of Virginia are among the signatures to the paper.

The proceedings of the company at the Old Raleigh, which we add from the same source, are in proper keeping with the spirit of the Association; and the toasts and sentiments drunk on the occasion are manifestly in good taste, and such as must have given a new relish to their wine.]

The ASSOCIATION entered into last Friday, the 22nd instant, by the Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses, and the Body of Merchants, assembled in this city.

W

E his Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects of Virginia, declaring our inviolable and unshaken fidelity and attachment to our gracious sovereign, our affection for all our fellow subjects of Great Britain, and our firm determination to support, at the hazard of our lives and fortunes, the laws, the peace, and good order of government in this colony; but at the same time affected with great and just apprehensions of the fatal consequences certainly to follow from the arbitrary imposition of taxes on the people of America, for the purpose of raising a revenue from them, without the consent of their representatives; and as we consider it to be the indispensable duty of every virtuous member of society to prevent the ruin, and promote the happiness, of his country, by every lawful means, although in the prosecution of such a laudable and necessary design some unhappy consequences may be derived to many innocent fellow subjects, whom we wish not to injure, and who we hope will impute our conduct to the real necessity of our affairs: Influenced by these reasons, we do most earnestly recommend this our association to the serious attention of all Gentlemen merchants, traders, and other inhabitants of this colony, not doubting but they will readily and cordially accede thereto. And at the same time we, and every of us, do most solemnly oblige ourselves, upon our word and honor, to promote the welfare and commercial interests of all those truly worthy merchants, traders, and others, inhabitants of this colony, who shall hereafter

conform to the spirit of this association; but that we will upon all occasions, and at all times hereafter, avoid pur chasing any commodity or article of goods whatsoever from any importer or seller of British merchandise or European goods, whom we may know or believe, in violation of the essential interests of this colony, to have preferred their own private emolument, by importing or selling articles prohibited by this association, to the destruction of the dearest rights of the people of this colony. And for the more effectual discovery of such defaulters, it is resolved,

That a committee of five be chosen in every county, by the majority of associators in each county, who, or any three of them, are hereby authorized to publish the names of such signers of the association as shall violate their agreement; and when there shall be an importation of goods. into any county, such committee, or any three of them, are empowered to convene themselves, and in a civil manner apply to the merchant or importers concerned and desire to see the invoices and papers respecting such importation, and if they find any goods therein contrary to the association to let the importers know that it is the opinion and request of the country that such goods shall not be opened or stored, but reshipped to the place from whence they came: And in case of refusal, without any manner of violence, inform them of the consequences, and proceed to publish an account of their conduct.

Secondly. That we the subscribers, as well by our own example as all other legal ways and means in our power, will promote and encourage industry and frugality, and discourage all manner of luxury and extravagance.

Thirdly. That we will not hereafter, directly or indirectly, import, or cause to be imported, from Great Britain, any of the goods hereafter enumerated, either for sale of for our own use; to wit, spirits, cider, perry, beer, ale, porter, malt, pease, beef, fish, butter, cheese, tallow, candles, fruit, pickles, confectionary, chairs, tables, looking glasses, carriages, joiners work, and cabinet work of all sorts, riband, India goods of all sorts (except spices) calico of more than 3s. sterling per yard, upholstery (by which is meant paper hangings, beds ready made, furniture for beds, and carpeting) watches, clocks, silversmiths work of all sorts, silks of all sorts (except womens bonnets and hats, sewing silk, and netting silk) cotton stuffs of more than 3s. sterling per

yard, linens of more than 2s. sterling per yard (extra Irish linens) gauze, lawns, cambrick of more than 6s. sterling per yard, woollen and worsted stuffs of all sorts of more than 2s. sterling per yard, broadcloths of more than Ss. sterling per yard, narrow cloths of all kinds of more than 4s. sterling per yard, not less than 7-8ths yard wide, hats of greater value than 10s. sterling, stockings of more than 36s. sterling per dozen, shoes of more than 5s. sterling per pair, boots, faddles, mens exceeding 25s. and womens exceeding 40s. sterling, cxclusive of bridles, wbich are allowed, portmanteaus, saddle bags, and all other manufactured leather, neither oil or painters colours, if both, or either of them, be subject to any duty after the 1st of December next. And that we will not import, or cause to be imported, any horses, nor purchase those which may be imported by others, after the 1st of November next.

Fourthly. That we will not import or bring into the colony, or cause to be imported or brought into the colony, either by sea or land, any slaves, or make sale of any upon commission, or purchase any slave or slaves that may be imported by others, after the 1st day of November next, unless the same have been twelve months upon the continent.

Fifthly. That we will not import any wines, on which a duty is laid by act of Parliament for the purpose of raising a revenue in America, or purchase such as may be imported by others, after the 1st day of September next.

Sixthly. That no wine be imported by any of the subscribers, or other person, from any of the colonies on this continent, or any other place, from the time of signing this association, contrary to the terms thereof.

Seventhly. That all such goods as may or shall be imported into this colony, in consequence of their having been rejected by the association committees in any of our sister colonies, shall not be purchased by any associatior; but that we will exert every lawful means in our power absolutely to prevent the sale of all such goods, and to cause the same to be exported as quickly as possible.

Eighthly. That we will not receive from Great Britain, or make sale of, upon commission, any of the articles above excepted to, after the first day of September next, nor any of those articles which may have been really and bona fide ordered by us, after the 25th of December next.

Ninthly. That we will not receive into our custody, make