<b>NOV. 13, 1784</b> — In this first Alexandria appearance since being elected to a fourth term earlier this month, Governor-elect Patrick Henry is expected to lobby for a bill currently before the General Assembly that would assign tax monies to support religious education in all denominations. In an exclusive interview with the <i>Gazette Packet,</i> Henry said the bill was justified as a means of curtailing the sin and immorality of young people. He also accused his archrival James Madison of arranging to have the governor-elect removed from his seat in the House of Delegates by organizing his campaign for governor.
"Owing to the shrewd and devious politicking of a man by the name of Madison, the likelihood of my assessment bill passing has become increasingly remote," Henry told the <i>Gazette Packet.</i> "I fear he has bettered me on this matter."
Now that war has drawn to a close, the commonwealth of Virginia has found itself in a precarious position in advance of the scheduled Nov. 30 inauguration in Richmond. The newly formed post-war government, acting under the wartime Articles of Incorporation, must now begin negotiating the sale of Virginia tobacco to foreign governments. Meanwhile, Madison and others have begun to propagate the idea of consolidating the central government by weakening state powers. The governor-elect — known to some as "the mouth of the South" — said he would vigorously oppose any attempt by Madison or other designing men to hatch such a plot.
"For some time now, there has been talk of entering into a federal government, one which Madison seems to be supportive of," said the governor-elect. "I will vigorously oppose such a measure."
<b>MUCH HAS CHANGED</b> since Henry served his first three terms, which were consecutive one-year appointments from 1776 to 1779. At that time, the colonies were in the throes of a mighty struggle with the dastardly John Bull. After Gov. Henry was forced to step down because of a three-consecutive-term limit, Thomas Jefferson was elected governor and moved the Capitol to Richmond in 1780 as a matter of homeland security. Now that the war has concluded, the newly formed states have become engaged in a series complicated disputes over boundaries and property.
"We in Virginia will never cede Fort Pitt to the Pennsylvanians," Henry proclaimed in a recent speech after being elected.
The incoming governor faces great troubles in the western frontier of the commonwealth, where restless natives and thorny land disputes have become commonplace. Meanwhile, Richmond’s population has boomed from 600 a few years ago when Henry left office to 3,000, now that the seat of power has been firmly entrenched there. Many residents are still recovering from the British attack in the fall of 1780.
"There’s a lot of rebuilding we have to do," the governor admitted. "And, frankly, as governor, I’m always happy to talk to the gentlemen of Alexandria about any contributions they might wish to make to the cause of rebuilding our new capital."
<b>PLANNING FOR THE</b> ball has been quietly taking place at Gadsby’s Tavern for some time now. Those who attend the event will feature a variety of English country dances, live music, dessert collation, gaming and a cash bar. The newly constructed Gadsby’s Tavern, which is the finest establishment in the city, was the obvious choice to locate such an event. Those who work at the tavern are feverishly working to prepare for the governor’s arrival.
"One of the highlights will be the desert collation," said Liz Williams, assistant director of the tavern. "It will include cream puffs, pound cakes and chocolate covered fruit."
The citizens of Alexandria will undoubtedly take the opportunity to speak to the governor-elect about matters of local concern. One issue that has been a dominant topic of conversation in recent weeks is the navigation of the river — a major concern to the health of the city’s port. A group of investors known as the Potomac Company has already initiated a plan to expand navigation of the river to the Upper Falls within three years and all the way to Tidewater within 10 years. They say cooperation from Richmond will be required for the success of the operation.
"The opening of the Navigation of the Potomack is, perhaps, a Work of more political than commercial Consequence, as it will be one of the grandest Chains for preserving federal Union," wrote George Richards, editor of the recently launched <i>Virginia Journal and Alexandria Advertiser.</i> "The Western World will have free access to us, and we shall be one and the same people, whatever System of European Politics may be adopted — in short, it is a work so big the intellectual faculties cannot take it into view."