tioned the Governor to call together the Assembly for the purpose of forbidding planting for a time. The Assembly met, and after a stormy debate which led to nothing, adjourned.[1] A second Assembly was summoned, but before it convened a large number of the inhabitants of New Kent, Gloucester, and Middlesex determined to make away with the tobacco in the hill. Suddenly a tumult arose, and a cry went forth among the discontented population that not only their own plants but all plants whatever must be cut down.[2] The necessities of the people had driven them to desperation, and they had resolved upon a forcible cessation. The growing tobacco of one plantation was no sooner destroyed than the owner, having been deprived either with or without his consent of his crop, was seized with the same frenzy and ran with the crowd as it marched to destroy the crop of his neighbor.[3] The infection spread with great rapidity, and it was feared lest it should diffuse itself into all parts of the Colony. The tumult reached its height in Gloucester. In that county, two-thirds of the tobacco in the ground were cut down, and two hundred plantations were left in desolation. One-half of the plants in New Kent were ruined, and many estates in the
- ↑ Randolph MSS., vol. III, p. 400. The following entry is found under date of Dec. 5, 1681, in Records of Middlesex County, original vol. 1680-1694, p. 51: “Petition of the people of this county about moving the governor to call an assembly. The people earnestly pressing and thronging into ye Courte house until it was full, and a greate many remaining at ye doors and windowes impatiently expecting ye Courte’s answer.” This was the Assembly which was expected to demand a cessation.
- ↑ Nicholas Spencer to Secretary Jenkins, British State Papers, Colonial Entry Book, No. 82, pp. 69-74; Sainsbury Abstracts for 1682, p. 167, Va. State Library.
- ↑ It is recorded that much of the damage was committed by the crowd after nightfall.
