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John Robinson’s Virginia

John Robinson’s Virginia. “A rising tide raises all boats”. John Robinson Jr. (1705–1766) . “Not even the House of Commons in London exceeded the decorum of the burgesses when Robinson presided.” - Selby. John Robinson Jr. (1705–1766) .

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John Robinson’s Virginia

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  1. John Robinson’s Virginia “A rising tide raises all boats”

  2. John Robinson Jr.(1705–1766) “Not even the House of Commons in London exceeded the decorum of the burgesses when Robinson presided.” - Selby

  3. John Robinson Jr.(1705–1766) • the most skillful and powerful Virginia-born political leader in the colonial period • Positions held: • Speaker of the House of Burgesses 1738 to 1766 • Treasurer of the colony from 1738 to 1766.

  4. John Robinson Jr.(1705–1766) • Personal Ability: • master of parliamentary procedure • dominating personality • Used authority as presiding officer to influence votes • Raised power of Burgesses to its greatest height • Family connections • A Beverley on his father’s side • A Randolph on his mother’s • WOW!!!!

  5. John Robinson Jr.(1705–1766) • Economic Power • illegally lending public money to many of Virginia's leading politicians • placing them under his influence and creating the largest public scandal in colonial Virginia

  6. Tobacco Trade • Growth in tobacco consumption • English market saturated but... • French demand Virginia leaf • war-time privateer seizures give taste of Virginia leaf • government monopoly limits suppliers • results in more concentration of tobacco production • distribution via large VA landholders • merchandizing via Scotland • demand stabilizes price • makes less valuable lands on Potomac & James rivers worthwhile • because the harsher tobacco was perfumed for French snuff.

  7. Tobacco Trade • Scottish entrepreneurs • Act of Union 1707 • send “factors” into countryside - piedmont especially • purchase directly from small farmers in goods • benefits farmers with immediate payment (no 2 year wait) • benefits merchant • assemble full ship in advance • decrease turn around time & shipping costs • faster journey to Virginia from Scotland than Bristol or London • establish urban centers, especially Norfolk.

  8. Tobacco Trade • Dominate tobacco trade • 50% of all trade by 1775 • Dominate re-export to France • Scots sell 40% of French purchases • vs. 10-12% English

  9. Diversifying Economy • VA decreases its focus on tobacco • growth in tobacco production ends by 1720-30 • x2 between 1700-1720 • x10 between 1675-1700 • Two main reasons • changing global economy • demand for foodstuffs in the Caribbean • influences VA heavily by 1740 • largest colonial producer of corn, 3rd in wheat after PA & NY • tobacco still accounts for 80% of all income from exports • depletion of the soil.

  10. Colonial Agriculture and Industries

  11. Colonial Trade Patterns

  12. Income & Debt • Virginia owes English merchants as much as the rest of mainland colonies combined • Virginian tobacco a “good investment” • one of a few new world commodities with guaranteed market • merchants fight with each other to offer credit to secure future tobacco • part of the reason for the high debt • risks • farmers borrow until can repay - sometimes years • merchants “forced” to provide credit to avoid losing supply sources.

  13. Income & Debt • Banking • no banks • letters of credit and exchange • everybody owes somebody else • lack of specie • no mines = no gold or silver coins • Britain prohibits exporting bullion to colonies • specie demanded by British merchants to pay debts • specie gained • trade to Caribbean colonies • smuggling.

  14. Income & Debt • Colonial response • in times of crisis, wartime vs. French usually • issue paper money • beginning in 1690 most colonies use for short term • usually to be redeemed in place of tax payment in future (deficit financing) • depreciate versus sterling • Virginia does not resort to paper currency until Seven Years War • use tobacco instead of paper currency.

  15. Paper Currency

  16. Western Settlement • Surge in tobacco and grain tied to increased land under cultivation • Shenandoah Valley & Piedmont • transported to Phil via wagon road.

  17. Western Settlement • New land settlement system • no longer headrights • now grants given BEFORE settlers arrive • theoretically must be settled in a given period of time • few grants reverted for non-compliance • examples: • 1731 Joist Hite, Robert McKey 100,000 acres • 1734 William Beverly 120,000 • 1735 Lord Fairfax defends his 6,000,000 • 1743 James Patton 200,000 • 1749 Ohio Company 200,000 + 300,000 option • 1749 Loyal Land Company 800,000.

  18. “Average White Joe” • Rising economic opportunity for white men • titheables increase per family • average property size decreases • decline in coastal soil productivity • breakup of larger estates • focus on grains for export • property holders increase 66% • decreasing white arrivals • fewer lower class whites • slaves fill bottom rung of society • increasing arrivals in middle class £100.

  19. “Average White Joe” • Suffrage • 1705: must be a “freeholder” not black, female or Catholic 1705: England requires all servants to get 50 acres • 1736: must own 100 acres or 25 “with a house and plantation” - similar requirements for city dwellers • Officeholding • in theory available to all • limited in practice • 1699: no “buying” of votes at the wine cask

  20. “Average White Joe” • Increasing political leverage • Fights between Cabinet and Governor - turn to Burgesses • ex. Spotswood’s 1713 tobacco act • Only voting that takes place is House of Burgesses • political events mirror those in Parliament • steady accretion of powers • 1624 surveyor fees: expand to control clerks, sheriffs… • 1691 right to audit taxes: expand to all executive functions • 1699 set collector’s fees: expand to all fee collectors • 1718 set fees: coroners and constables • 1732 pay public printer: becomes VA Gazette founded 1736 • 1750 control executive fees: expands to all officers of court.

  21. Philosophy Stoicism acceptance of fate, unflinching devotion to duty blends well with notions of honor & Christianity Parliament as naturally superior Montesquieu The Spirit of the Laws, 1748 John Locke Treatise on Civil Government. Emulation of England John Locke Montesquieu

  22. Bacon Emulation of England • Enlightenment • rationality, reliance on science • categorize and study world in natural state (VA!) • Bacon Copernicus & Newton. Copernicus Newton

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