The Griffins; a colonial tale

Dedication

To the Colonial Dames of America whose high purpose appeals to the noblest sentiments of human nature I dedicate this simple colonial tale in which Virtutis Majorum Filia Conservat

MARY STUART YOUNG

Savannah, Georgia

Contents

Chapter. Page.

I. Near the Noon-day of the Eighteenth

Century, 9

CHAPTER I Near the Noon-day oe the Eighteenth Century

Near the noon-day of the eighteenth century Le Roy Griffin, Gent., married Mary Betrand. Three fair sons were born to them, and when the school-master became a necessity, the fine old country seat of Berkeley Manor was temporarily vacated for Griffin Hall in Williamsburg. Here, at the old Brafton Grammar School, the three little masters were prepared for William and Mary College. In this time-honored seat of learning the sons of the gentry were fitted for Oxford, Cambridge, Edinboro, and the courts of the Temple, and Lincoln’s Inn. In due time Corbin, Samuel, and Cyrus completed the studies required of them. In addition, they had fought many mimic battles, had learned to hold the brave Colonel Washington in high esteem, to believe Mr. Henry second only to Cicero; in short, they had imbibed the spirit of war and liberty and freedom with the very air they breathed. For there were stirring times in that noon-day of the 18th century; and in the Old Dominion were those who had fought and bled for Prince Charley “In the ’45” and afterwards for King George at Fort Duquesne. Nor were they inconsistent. As between the Stuart and the Hanoverian, their choice was with the first; as between French and English, their choice was with the last. But the Stamp Act trouble had sunk deep into the hearts and minds of men. The good Lord Botetourt, having been Governor of Virginia, had lived in semi-regal style at “The Palace,” an imposing brick structure with a fine front and two massive wings, surrounded by grounds which extended in front to the Duke of York Street. But now Botetourt had died of a “disease aggravated by great mental suffering.” When the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had first appeared my Lord Botetourt became anxious lest a storm should burst upon the land where all was so fair and prosperous ; but the political weather-prophet reassured him.

King George and Lord North, however, would not let things be, and said that “English men in America who had no part in the nation’s councils must pay taxes as the English at home did;” so two small tea-parties were given, one at Charleston and another at Boston, but no tea was drunk, for it was not palatable from the mouldy cellars or from the brine into which it had been thrown. In consequence of these things, my Lord Botetourt drank so bitter a cup of humiliation that he died ii from the effects of the unwholesome draught of promises broken to his people ; and all the colony mourned for him as the truest friend and gentleman who had ever governed in Virginia. Some fine lines were writ in memory of him.

“Just, noble, generous,

Steady, not timorous,

Botetourt came;

He did defend our laws And gave our country cause To sing with loud applause Botetourt’s fame.”

But all in vain was praise or blame to him now. He “had done what he could” and his brave heart could no longer bear the strain ; so “having been long physically very weak,” he passed away to that land where there are no more taxes, because all have been paid for us nearly two thousand years ago on Calvary.

Lord Dunmore succeeded to the governorship and the little capital was very gay in spite of the troublous time, when one bright June day a worthy class of graduates received their diplomas from William and Mary College. From far and near the gentle-folk had come to participate in the merry-making attendant upon the closing exercises and to be present at the grand ball to be given at the palace in the evening. Thackeray has painted in his matchless style the ball at which Mme. Esmond and her sons George and Harry Warrington played an important part ; our simpler annals deal with other mothers and other sons who likewise bore their parts well. The younger Griffin boys were among the graduates and had attained to no mean standing in their class, and now that books were to be laid aside for the nonce, they would catch a glimpse of the social life of the capital. So very bright and happy felt the Lady Griffin as leaning on her husband’s arm and followed by her two younger sons she entered the Lord Governor’s ball-room. The scene was very brilliant, for the beauty and chivalry of which the colonies were justly proud had gathered there. Conspicuous among these stood the young Colonel Washington, of the Virginia House of Burgesses, surrounded by a group of friends ; not very far away was Lady Washington, the handsomest and wealthiest matron in Virginia, looking girl-like still in the dress of soft East Indian stuff ordered from London. Near Colonel Washington were Mr. Patrick Henry, the Demosthenes of the Burgesses; his mentor, Mr. Thomas Jefferson, and Dr. Hugh Mercer, whose exploits at Culloden Moor in ’45 and at Fort Duquesne ten years later had made him the worthy friend of the patriots who sought to do him honor. There was eager interest manifested now as he spoke earnestly with the soft Scotch accent, for while the Dames were bewitched with the beauty of the scene, far other thoughts and words claimed the attention of the Dons. With bated breath they discussed the King’s policy; at last Colonel Mercer said:

“All these troubles have come upon us because we have foresworn allegiance to the true Stuart and have accepted a foreign king; his father was no Englishman and the blood of James I flows but feebly in his veins. Very bad blood no doubt it is in many respects, but it is the only royal blood which Englishmen can find to rule over them and it has not been made better methinks by its blending with that of the German prince. There is one no whit less near to James, and yet no king is he, but simply 'Count of Albany,’ an alien from the throne of his fathers. His wrongs and his sufferings endeared him to many of his Scotch subjects, and when his well-laid plans were brought to naught, we who had followed him had to find refuge in the Old Dominion, whose loyalty to the powers that be is blended with much of sympathy for the poor fugitive Stuart and his friends.”

“Verily you are right, sir,” answered Mr. Griffin ; “yet if our honorable speaker could hear you, he would thunder 'treason’ at you as he did at Mr. Henry a few months since.”

“And perhaps with no more effect,” said Colonel Washington, smiling. “Doctor,” he continued, “in all of our tramps together, which have been both many and long, I have never heard of your part in the young Pretender’s escape from Culloden, and yet I know that you aided him therein. This is neither the fitting time nor place, but at some early day I shall ask you to favor me with an account of it.”

“Why not at the Hall to-morrow ?” said Mr. Griffin. Mr. Henry will join us, and Mr. Jefferson I hope, and there in safety and privacy we can listen, and express sympathy with whomsoever we please.”

The invitation was accepted with the simplicity which marked the manners of the day. “Good manners” was the phrase then; “good form” now takes its place ; may we not fear sometimes its nature is lost with its name?

The following day the guests were seated at Mr. Griffin’s hospitable board ; dinner had been served, and when the servants in waiting had placed the wine on the fine old mahogany and withdrawn, Dr. Mercer narrated the following.

“I think I was first led to feel a great interest in Charles Stuart because we are nearly the same age, and as a little fellow in my kilts I heard much talk of the Roman Prince who would one day get possession of all that his father had failed to win. Then as I grew older this hope became stronger, for the Prince gave promise of being the most kingly of his race. And so he was because of his ability to command, his constancy and courage; but hope deferred, and at last abandoned, has made him of late years fall into intemperate habits. ’Tis the vice of the age, and seems a greater evil in him because of his exalted rank.

“When all was prepared for the campaign of 1745 I offered my services as physician, and in this capacity served at Culloden. I will not repeat the sad story of the final overthrow of all of our hopes on that fatal field; it has passed into history. Coming after nightfall back to the battle-ground to give whatever aid my skill could afford to any wounded or dying, I wandered off at last a mile perhaps into a small low clump of shrubbery and threw myself down on my plaid. All was still save occasional sounds of Cumberland’s troopers, who were scouring the country in all directions; presently a light rustling in the bushes and a low breathing convinced me that I was not alone. I approached without much feeling of alarm, until as I drew nearer a bright sword flash in the moonlight caused me to feel for my own short sword — my only weapon of defense. A voice I knew at once to be Charles Stuart’s exclaimed, 'Who goes there?’ I replied with the watch-word, 'A Stuart, your Highness.’

“ 'Ah ! is it you, my faithful friend ? I fear there are but few now whom I can call so, albeit this morning’s sun shone on a merry multitude who bore the name of friends.’

" 'And many still remain, beloved Prince,’ I replied; ‘but what do you here, while Cumberland’s troopers are scouring the country far and wide in search of you and why are you thus alone?’

" ‘Because I feared an escort would only endanger other lives, and mine own, so I hid from many who might have been inclined to go with me, until i6 the moon’s going down would give me a chance to escape ; and I will trust to my sword to defend my life if necessary; I will yield it only after having shown myself worthy of it. Ah, Hugh, I am indeed aweary of living, and were I sure the hounds would kill me I think they might do so. But they are not generous enough to slay ; they would capture, and carry me before my German cousin’s tribunal; from thence convey me to the Tower, and the Block; but we have had enough of this bloody work at the hands of our subjects, and cousins, and never will I be taken alive!’ As he spoke his youthful face showed such firm resolve that I thought had the MacDonalds seen him look so they would not have placed him in this present plight by refusing to fight on the left, when all else was lost and they had it in their power to save the day.

“ ‘Spoken like your own noble self, my Prince,’ I replied. ‘My father’s house is hard by, and the swift little mare Winnie in the stable. Will you honor me by riding her? Disguised in my oldest Tartan you can easily reach the coast by to-morrow eve. I will precede you a short distance, and will find some stout fellows who, for a little gold, will ask you no questions and row you to the Hebrides, where you will find those ready to do any service and to dare all for your sake.’

“ ‘Wisely thought and well spoken ; so let us leave this hiding-place, for the moon is low, and every hour of darkness will aid us. But hark! what sound do I hear ?’ As he spoke, horses, hoofs were approaching, and soon a body of cavalrymen came nearer, and we heard one say, ‘Our orders are to capture him alive, and he is no doubt not far off ; so let us take things a little easily and rest our horses under these trees.’ At these words my heart stood still, so fearful was I lest the Prince, in his reckless disregard for his life, should betray our presence. But soon I was relieved, for the commanding officer replied that he knew a better place of shelter for the night a hundred yards farther on, and yet not too far off to keep a lookout at day-dawn. They then rode off, and shortly after, over rocks and through thickets which I had known well since boyhood, we reached my father’s. I soon had Winnie ready and my plaid on his Highness; then mounting Highlander, the pony which I used in riding through the country visiting as a physician, I went off a few hundred yards in advance, and by sunrise we had accomplished some miles of riding, without having been molested in any way. But it was necessary for both ourselves and our horses that some refreshment should be obtained, and about 7 o’clock we came to a little inn on Lock Marye, and dismounted. The Prince was well disguised, the blue bonnet which he wore concealing his hair ; yet to my dismay, as we were preparing to mount again, we saw two officers of the King approaching.

i8

“Afraid to create suspicion by too great haste, we led our horses out a few paces, and were about to spring into our saddles when we were compelled to turn, as one of the officers, in a tone of authority, hallooed to us, ‘Not so fast, my bold horsemen; I would have a few words with you/ Seeing the extreme peril of the Prince, I quietly walked my horse beside his, back through the stable court, and awaited the result.

“ ‘Whither are ye bound?’

“ ‘To the coast,’ I replied.

“ ‘Know ye aught of yesterday’s bloody fight?’

“ ‘Yea; all that a plain mon like mysel’ should ken.’

“ ‘Hast heard of the reward offered for the young fool’s head ?’

“ ‘Whom may ye mean, sir? There be mony a one would come under that title, I trow.’

“ ‘Whom should I mean but the young Charles Edward ? If you or your silent comrade there will bring him alive to one of his Majesty’s officers, you will no longer have to wear such shabby gear, for no less a sum than thirty thousand pounds is put upon his head.’

“The Prince’s familiarity with the French tongue made him easily acquire the rolling ‘r’ which forms the chief difference between the English and Scotch pronunciation. It stood him in good stead now as he answered :

“ ‘Sorely do I stand in need of such a sum, yet fearful I am of not procuring it; for our journey ends at dark; and “fool” though Charles Stuart in truth is, yet do you think his folly is great enough to tempt him into the broad glare of day from his hiding-place ?’

“This was said so quietly and with so broad an accent, that all suspicion was disarmed, and the officer replied courteously:

“‘Well spoken, fair sir; and methinks the fortune would well become you, for your speech is forsooth finer than your clothes.’

“Touching our bonnets, we rode on, and by means of by-paths and quiet roads reached the coast without further adventure about dusk. Leaving the Prince in a secluded spot, I went forward to see what could now be done. Going into a deep cleft in the rocks, which formed a sort of cave in which as a boy I had played, I saw a soldier fast asleep, wrapped in his plaid ; scanning him closely, I discovered to my joy that it was O’Neill, who had proved his devotion to the Prince’s cause, and in yesterday’s fight had done good service. I tried for some time to wake him, but in vain, so utterly overcome was he by fatigue. At last I succeeded, and in a few words made known to him the near presence of the Prince. As I did so he sprang to his feet, and a minute later was on bended knee before his royal leader, whom he had sought in vain ere finding safety, for himself in flight. He had reached the coast a few hours previously, and had arranged with some trusty clansman to row him over to Skye at midnight, where with some of the MacDonalds he would be safe. The Prince could accompany him thither with but comparatively little risk. All was arranged, and when I could do no more for their comfort or safety I bade them farewell and received grateful acknowledgment from the Prince for the service I had rendered him; though in truth ’twas but slight, and his own mother-wit helped him as much as aught else. I saw him in London in ’53, and he gave me then the account of his final escape from his pursuers by the aid of Mistress Flora MacDonald. This is now familiar to all, and no doubt these fair dames here present would have been inspired to do as much for the Prince who has so much of romance mingled with the hard realities of his life.,,

“Yes,” said Mr. Henry, “ ‘romance’ covers a multitude of sins, and I fear me ’tis human nature to feel more of interest in the unfortunate one who is young and dashing and bold, than in a battlescarred veteran who is without teeth, and lanternjawed.”

“Nay, sir; you do us wrong,” said Lady Washington. “Rather say that one views with different feelings the vigorous young sapling which has been up-rooted by a storm and the giant oak prostrated by the same. Over one we mourn the promise of what might have been; over the other we think of a grand life, ended it may be in ruin, but having well fulfilled its destiny.”

Mr. Henry courteously acknowledged the wellplaced sentiment of his fair opponent and Mr. Griffin replied to him :

“Sir, ’tis yours ‘the applause of listening senates to command,’ but when our fair ones lift up their voices in opposition, you become even as one of us feebler folk. So it has ever been, and will be even to the end of time.”

CHAPTER II Introduces "My Lord Fairfax,” of Virginia

“A fine old English gentleman, one of ye olden time.”

Life was now fairly open to our two young graduates, and the Chronicles tell of many a visit to “Westover,” where the beautiful Miss Willing, of Philadelphia, visited her aunt, Mrs. Byrd; of many a hunt; of dances in the old “Apollo Hair’ in the Raleigh Tavern, made ever memorable by Mr. Patrick Henry’s great speech in the House of Burgesses, which held its sittings there. On one hunt the Chronicles dwell at length. It was in December, after the graduation of the Griffin boys. They were making preparations to leave in January for England, where Samuel would finish his studies at Oxford and Cyrus take the law course in the Temple.

“It were certainly most fitting that we paid our respects to Colonel and Mrs. Washington before we leave, Cyrus,” said Samuel; “and especially would I like to see his beautiful estate before I go, for as I am to be a planter when I return, I wish to be able to compare the modes of cultivation here and in England; and no man in Virginia knows more of practical agriculture than does Colonel Washington.”

So all was arranged in accordance with this wish, and our young gentlemen set off in fine style, accompanied by their body-servants, Prince and Raleigh, on a visit to Mount Vernon. Their host met them with the quiet dignity and courtesy which always distinguished him, and Mrs. Washington’s greeting was simple and cordial. After the early dinner a ride over the broad acres enabled Samuel to examine with interest the carefully-prepared fields. After a brief visit they must say farewell and ride back to Williamsburg. But Colonel and Mrs. Washington would not have it so. Hospitality was one of the leading features of colonial life, and there was always a charm in entertaining one’s friends. Guests were never loath to remain at Mount Vernon, and to this rule Cyrus and Samuel were not exceptions. “Besides,” Colonel Washington added by way of persuasion, “to-morrow I hunt with my Lord Fairfax, who is now at Belvoir, and I wish you to join us; the sport will be rare, for his Lordship keeps the finest pack in the country; moreover, as you go so soon to England ’tis well that you should meet so fine a specimen of a nobleman as he is.”

The next day dawned fair and bright ; no snow had as yet fallen, but a heavy frost lay on the ground and shrubbery. The road was along the river bank, and the view of water and hillside, the delightful freshness and lightness of the atmosphere, the even pace of the horses at a gentle gallop combined to banish all care, so that when the party reached Belvoir they were overflowing with life and animal spirits. It needed only the presence of the genial Baron to make all complete. Having come to Virginia to escape from painful associations with his home in England, “My Lord Fairfax” did not shut himself up in gloomy seclusion; on the contrary, he lived as did most of the noblemen of the time, keeping up much of state, and unbounded hospitality, never wearying of the chase. His acres are said to have numbered 5,700,000, inherited in great part from his grandfather, Lord Culpepper. A fine type of an Englishman of rank and wealth was he as he stood on this December morning ready to welcome his guests.

“Ah, my gallant Colonel, here you are at last !” said he, heartily shaking his favorite’s hand ; “and as usual, when not fighting the enemy, ready to make war on poor Reynard. I am glad to know you young gentlemen,” he added as Colonel Washington introduced his friends.

Thus, with pleasant, easy greeting, he met each one; then mounting a fine sorrel, and calling up the hounds, he led the way to the hunt as Mr. George Fairfax and one or two others joined the party. For some time they rode without catching sight of their prey, but at last the hounds gave unmistakable sounds of having discovered the fox. 'Now the sport began in earnest, and over fence and ditch, through field and marsh, they rode like mad — dogs, horses, riders all determined to win.

Not so easy though, my Lord and gentlemen, for Mr. Fox proved a wily strategist, and only gave up his life after all devices had failed. But, as in most contests, open, plain dealing will at length prevail if it be combined with firm resolve, so it proved with poor Reynard. The well-trained hounds and skilful riders were too much for him, and having been driven into an open field from his last hiding-place, worn out with the long chase, he was quickly despatched by his pursuers. Cyrus, having been the first in at the death, severed the long bushy tail from the body. It was nearly thirteen inches in length and the body without it measured twenty inches.

The tired, hungry sportsmen reached Mount Vernon just as the moon was rising over the river, and Cyrus said truly that “The day from sunrise to moonrise had been one of unmixed enjoyment,” as he met Mrs. Washington and presented to her the trophy of the chase. Everything was warmth and light and comfort within, with certain little touches of the beautiful here and there which only a woman's hand can give. Lord Fairfax, as he entered the dining-room with the wife of his host leaning upon his arm, made notice of some changes since he was last there.

“What have you been doing, George,” he said. “I remember not seeing things look so before your marriage. Billy at all times kept the house with great neatness, and served us well; yet there is something else this evening, methinks.”

‘‘It is because I have found a help-meet for me, my Lord; and the crust of the bachelor has fallen off from the house no less than from its master.” To which his Lordship made no reply, for in the attic at Greenmay Court, whither he would soon return, lay a missive growing yellow as time wore on. In its folds might be found the answer to the question, Why was my Lord Fairfax of Virginia not now in his old English home? Colonel Washington’s words recalled the long-past time when he had hoped that the deft fingers of one he loved would make that home beautiful, and her bright smile and the ringing laughter of childish voices would bring perpetual sunshine to his heart; but she would not have it so, and in a distant land he sought and (let us hope) found solace in doing his duty as a citizen, a friend, and a Christian. Soon he rose to leave, and as he bade farewell he said to Samuel and Cyrus :

“I am right glad that your father sends you so soon to England ; we must needs keep up the feeling of loyalty by returning the youth of the colonies to the Motherland sometimes. Truly the ‘lines have fallen to us in pleasant places’ in the Old Dominion, yet the mother cannot be excelled by the daughter. Ah ! George, Mr. Henry would not be so anxious to part from the old country did he but know what it is that he will sever us from ; but a truce to politics, and Heaven keep us at peace.”

Chapter III

Samuel and Cyrus Having Reached England Early in 1773, we are Introduced Through Means oe Letters to London Society More than a Hundred Years Since.

“I well remember the favors of these men."

From Cyrus Griffin to His Mother.

“Most dear and honored Mother:

“Two days since we reached this place — of all in the world most interesting to every loyal Englishman; our passage, has been described to you in full, in the letters which the Captain has sent for us by a vessel which left on yesterday. As soon as our baggage was all safely landed, we secured a coach and drove to the Baron of Wolverton’s charming villa. It is very near the river’s bank, to which a lawn extends, shaded by fine oaks. The house is built in the Elizabethan style, of which I have seen nothing at home, and I think it very beautiful. A servant in livery answered Raleigh’s summons, and bowing very grandly as he approached our coach, said :

“ ‘The young gentlemen from America were expected; would they be kind enough to await the Baron’s return from the Parliament House?’ but, we decided it were best to go at once to our lodgings, lest some embarrassment might follow, to our servants in the midst of the Baron’s grand lacqueys, and lest the advent of four instead of two strangers might cause some inconvenience. We obtained the needed address, and soon after were comfortably located on the Strand, midway between Temple Court and Charing-Cross. About noon, the following day, the Baron called. His greeting was very kind, and he was pleased to say that I looked very like my father did when they were at Cambridge together, thirty years ago. He invited us to dine with him at 4 o’clock. Accordingly Raleigh and Prince took great pride in arraying us in the fine suits we wore to my Lord Dunmore’s ball; (they made quite sure that we were to dine with no less a person than his Majesty,) and we drove to Hawley House, with all the air of being accustomed to our fine clothes, and to driving each day in the year! We met some men of learning and of fashion in the drawing-room. The Baron’s nephew — Mr. Horace Walpole, occupied the seat opposite his uncle at dinner; I was much interested in his conversation, which if it be evidence of his nature, shows him to be not at all a man of one idea ; for at one time he would extol republican notions, and the next minute would speak in favor of the different ranks and social grades which exist in England ; he would be ardent in his expressions of love for letters, again would seem to rather hold them in light esteem; so, between his desire to be an aristocrat and a republican, a student and a fine gentleman, at one and the same time, he entertained me much. His manners are certainly excellent, and his information great on many subjects. He spoke of the men of his father’s time somewhat; and said, he had heard many grand orators, but my Lord Chesterfield, (who is now very infirm) was in his day, the most polished and brilliant of them all.

“A place on the right of Mr. Walpole was assigned me, so I had a fine opportunity of hearing his discourse; on his left, sat a Mr. Anstey, who has writ some very witty verses on society at Bath ; Samuel was at the Baron’s right hand, and a spriggish nobleman sat on his left, whose manners did not please me overmuch, as he could not conceal his pride of place as ‘my Lord Ashton,’ and courted special marks of favor from the company, because of his title I thought; I was pleased to note that Samuel’s natural elegance* of manner and bearing did not at all forsake him ; but enabled him to hold his place, as quite the equal of the men around him as a gentleman ; and in his learning, he is far ahead of my Lord Ashton, who was the only young man at the t^ble besides ourselves. The Baron’s conversation did not at all times satisfy me, for he told anecdotes of life at court during the last King’s reign, that I would not for a great deal have had you to hear ; and yet no one seemed much shocked, and I concluded that familiarity with such a court as George Second held, must have lowered