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Subject:
Re: Burning of the Capitol in 1747
From:
Michael Nicholls <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:35:32 -0600
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The governor's message in The Journal of the House of Burgesses, 1742-1747, 1748-49 p 235 indicates that it was thought to be arson. The Norfolk County Order Book 16 October 1746 - 17 Aug 1750 f. 83 shows that a local man was paid  in the county levy for 1748 for guarding Wm Beesley to Wmsburg on suspicion of Beesley having burnt the capitol. I don't remember having looked any further into this--Mick
Michael L. Nicholls
Professor of History, Emeritus
Dept. of History
Utah State University
Logan, UT 84322-0710

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On Apr 24, 2013, at 1:56 PM, Craig Kilby wrote:

> In going through Joseph Ball's Letter Book, he writes a letter to his nephew Joseph Chinn, who was his agent in Virginia. Chinn was also a Burgess at this time. Ball's letter to him from London is dated 10 Mar 1748/9, in which he heartily congratulates his nephew for his part in the 40-38 to rebuild the capitol in Williamsburg, as opposed to the nearly-successful push to have it moved further inland. Typically, Ball is quite direct in his opinion on the matter, saying it would be "the most absurd thing imaginable to remove the Seat of Government, because the Capitol was DESIGNEDLY BURNT." 
> 
> It is those last two words in caps that have me wondering. Considering the rest of the tone of this letter, it almost seems that Ball was of the opinion that the building burned as a result of arson. So my question is, were such rumors flying around at the time?
> 
> Ball also advises his nephew to remain steady in his resolve "upon a second struggle, as I am informed will be aimed at" and that he thinks it a "great presumption to remove the King's Court and seat of Government, and which would not be suffered, unless they first the Leave of the King." 
> 
> Craig Kilby
> 
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