During the eighteenth century, the American representative assemblies expanded their popular appeal and political power, using their newfound authority to resist imperial governors, who in turn often viewed them with contempt. Alexander Spotswood, who became governor of Virginia in 1710, remarked that the colony’s voters had chosen “a set of representatives whom heaven has not generally endowed with the ordinary [intellectual or social] qualifications requisite to legislators.” Spotswood’s efforts to reduce the powers of the Burgesses made him many enemies; in 1722, they used their influence in London to have him removed from office.

ALEXANDER SPOTSWOOD

To ye Council of Trade, Virginia, October 15, 1712

MY LORDS:

… [T]he Mob of this Country, having tried their Strength in the late Election and finding themselves able to carry whom they please, have generally chosen representatives of their own Class, who as their principal Recommendation have declared their resolution to raise no Tax on the people. … This is owing to a defect in the Constitution, which allows to every one, tho’ but just out of the Condition of a Servant, and that can but purchase half an acre of Land, an equal Vote with the Man of the best Estate in the Country.

[From the Journal of the Virginia Council]

December the 17th 1714

… The Council declare that they cannot advise the Governor to move for any alteration in the present method of Electing of Burgesses, some being of opinion that this is not a proper time, & others that the present manner of electing of Burgesses & the qualifications of the elected is sufficiently provided for by the Laws now in force.

To Mr. Secretary James Stanhope, July 15, 1715

… I cannot forbear regretting yt I must always have to do with ye Representatives of ye Vulgar People, and mostly with such members as are of their Stamp and Understanding, for so long as half an Acre of Land, … qualifys a man to be an Elector, the meaner sort of People will ever carry ye Elections, and the humour generally runs to choose such men as are their most familiar Companions, who very eagerly seek to be Burgesses merely for the lucre of the Salary, and who, for fear of not being chosen again, dare in Assembly do nothing that may be disrelished [disapproved] out of the House by ye Common People. Hence it often happens that what appears prudent and feasible to his Majesty’s Governors and Council here will not pass with the House of Burgesses. …

To the Lords Commissioners of Trade, May 23, 1716

… The behaviour of [Philip Ludwell Jr., the colony’s auditor] in constantly opposing whatever I have offered for ye due collecting the Quitt rents [annual feudal dues on land] … [and] his stirring up ye humours of the people before the last election of Burgesses … would have made me … suspend him from ye Council, but I find by the late Instructions I have received from his Majesty that Power is taken from ye Governor and transferred upon the majority of that Board, and while there are no less than seven of his Relations there, it is impossible to get a Majority to consent to the Suspension of him.

SOURCE : R. A. Brock, ed., The Official Letters of Alexander Spotswood (Richmond: Virginia Historical Society, 1885), 2: 1–2, 124, 154–155.