Wythe the Politician

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Miniature of George Wythe, attributed to Henry Benbridge, c. 1770. Watercolor on ivory. Original at the R. W. Norton Art Gallery, Shreveport, Louisiana.

The capstone of George Wythe's legacy in American history and law is his lengthy political career spanning all three branches of government and local, state, and national political bodies. His service began well before the American Revolution, continued during the conflict, and continued within the new United States up until his twilight years[1]. Wythe's lengthy service in the judicial branch deserves an entry of its own, so this article focuses on his legislative and executive roles. Wythe began his political career within the colonial House of Burgesses, the oldest democratically elected body in British North America[2]. He initially served as a clerk[3], but eventually Wythe served as a representative in his own right, filling three distinct seats over the span of twelve years[4]. Besides serving as a burgess, Wythe filled pivotal roles in the state government, such as the Attorney General in 1754 and Clerk of the House from 1768 and 1775[5].

After the dissolution of the House of Burgesses and the onset of the American Revolution, George Wythe's career pivoted to the national stage with his election to the Continental Congress in 1775[6]. Wythe participated in debates and influenced notable thinkers such as John Adams, and his service in the Continental Congress culminated in his signing of the Declaration of Independence[7]. Wythe left the Continental Congress to return to Virginia state government, where he represented Williamsburg in the newly constituted House of Delegates[8]. Wythe was elevated to the position of Speaker of the House in 1777, becoming the second individual to hold the post and presiding over the legislative body during wartime[9]. After the war, Wythe served as a delegate to both the Constitutional Convention[10] and the Ratifying Convention in Virginia[11].

Wythe also served on a local level as mayor and alderman in the city of Williamsburg[12]. Additionally, he chaired the Electoral College of Virginia twice later in his life[13]. Throughout his career in public service, Wythe was known for his measured, steady approach to governance. At the same time, however, he was not afraid to challenge precedent when he felt a conviction to do so. He was an early opponent of the Stamp Act in the House of Burgesses and among the first to call for independence in the Continental Congress. Throughout his political career, Wythe possessed his characteristic humility and his deep understanding and appreciation for the art of civic life.

House of Burgesses Committees Clerk (1748)

Beginning in 1699, Williamsburg became the capital of colonial Virginia[14]. Located in Williamsburg, the House of Burgesses met irregularly and sought to imitate the British provincial system and royal hierarchy. George Wythe was appointed October 28, 1748 to clerk to the "largest and most important standing committees"[15]. He served on "Privileges and Elections" and "Propositions and Grievances"[16]. Serving as a representative of one’s county in the House of Burgesses was "ambition’s chief point of vantage"[17]. During this time, Wythe’s job included keeping the minutes of the proceedings of these committees. At the young age of twenty-two, his time in the House of Burgesses served as an educational endeavor for Wythe in colonial legislation. It also provided Wythe the opportunity to "rub shoulders" with some of the most influential men in the colonies at that time[18]. In 1752, Wythe was reappointed clerk for the "Privileges and Elections" and "Propositions and Grievances" committees[19].

Interim Attorney General (1754)

The position of Attorney General was considered more prestigious than his seat in the House of Burgesses. Wythe was first appointed Acting, or Interim, Attorney General, by Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwiddie in January of 1754, and served for about one year[20]. During his time as interim Attorney General, Wythe was involved in many conflicts between the House of Burgesses and the Royal Government. The first dispute Wythe became wrapped up in was the Pistol Fee Crisis of 1753-1754[21]. The Pistole Fee Crisis was a dispute between the House of Burgesses and Lieutenant Governor Dinwiddie. Dinwiddie wanted to charge individuals a pistole for land patents that had previously been unenforced in Virginia[22]. A pistole was worth about 18 shillings at the time, which was about 6 days' wages for a skilled tradesman[23]. The controversy was so contentious that Dinwiddie and the House of Burgesses had to go before the Privy Council in London to argue their sides. The Privy Council, unsurprisingly, sided with Dinwiddie’s pistole fee. This crisis foreshadows future tax conflicts between the colonies and the Royal Government which would of course surface almost a decade later in 1765 with the Stamp Act[24].

Wythe only served as Attorney General for a year before he was forced to vacate the position in favor of reinstating Randolph who had believed when he left the position to go to London, it would only be temporary and his job would be waiting for him upon his return[25]. Wythe would take on the role of Acting Attorney General once more, for about six months between November of 1766 and June of 1767, appointed by Lieutenant Governor Francis Fauquier[26].

Williamsburg Seat, House of Burgesses (1754-1756)

At the age of 28, Wythe was lifted up from his position of clerk to serve in the Williamsburg Seat of the House of Burgess[27]. The French & Indian War began in May of 1754, so Wythe was immediately thrust into a wartime government.[28] Wythe entered the Fourth Session of the House of Burgess (1752-1755)[29]. During his time on the Burgess, Wythe worked on an appropriation to aid war efforts in the West. Wythe worked on a committee specially assigned to ensure the funds the House of Burgess given for the war effort was not exclusively for English use in the West, but that the allocated funds were helping serve the colonies' interests[30]. Wythe was also appointed to serve on the "Privileges and Elections" subdivision, and the "Propositions and Grievances" subdivision during his time in the Williamsburg Seat. While these two subdivisions were familiar to him, Wythe was also appointed to serve on the "Courts of Justice," which was a new challenge[31].

William & Mary Representative Seat, House of Burgesses (1758-1761)

In 1756, George Wythe ran for the House of Burgesses seat in Elizabeth City County, where he was a notable landholder[32], but he placed fourth, beaten by residents who held more political appeal than external landholders[33]. After the election, allegations of non-resident voting[34] and the use of alcohol in campaigning led to an inquiry into the election, chaired by none other than George Wythe himself[35]. Two years later, in 1758, Wythe only received a single vote for Elizabeth City County’s seat[36], but he returned to the House of Burgesses through another avenue. Since its founding in 1693, William and Mary’s faculty had been granted the right to send a representative to the House of Burgesses[37], and they historically chose prominent lawyers for the role[38]. In 1758, after the resignation of Peyton Randolph to take the Williamsburg Seat, the faculty chose George Wythe as their new representative[39].

Upon returning to the House, he swiftly regained his positions on the Committees of Privileges and Elections, Propositions and Grievances, and Courts of Justice, becoming the only legislator to serve on three standing committees[40]. Wythe returned to a government still in the midst of the French and Indian War, which imparted a significant workload upon the house. During the war effort, Wythe was directly involved in handling compensation requests by Virginians for their personal losses from the conflict[41]. In 1759, Wythe also joined the Committee of Correspondence, directing the activities of the colony’s representative in England, Edward Montague[42]. He was also appointed to committees managing currency issued during the French and Indian War and regulating the silk industry in Virginia[43]. During this term, Wythe also contributed to the writing of four acts, including two on slavery, one on municipal boundaries, and one to promote inland navigation[44].

Elizabeth City County Seat, House of Burgesses (1761-1768)

In 1761, Wythe stepped down from the William & Mary House seat and attempted another run for the Elizabeth City County seat[45]. This time, Wythe was successful, placing first overall[46] and becoming one of Elizabeth City County’s two delegates, alongside William Wager[47]. During the 1761 session, Wythe was appointed to a fourth standing committee: that of trade. After 1764, he was the only member of the House of Burgesses to serve on four of the five committees [48]. Following a 1763 act delisting colonial paper money as legal tender, Wythe participated in the drafting of a response to Governor Francis Fauquier, who asked why Virginia was not favoring creditors who used British sterling[49].

Later in 1764, when the British Parliament made preparations to impose a Stamp Act on the colonies, Wythe was one of the first Burgesses to openly oppose the new British policy. Wythe argued that the political connection between Virginia and Britain ran through the king and not parliament, implying equal constituent sovereignty to other dominions of the crown such as the British mainland itself[50]. However, Wythe did not support the resolutions of newer delegate Patrick Henry[51], who argued that only Virginia had the right to tax Virginians and angrily labeled his opponents “enemies of the colony” on the House floor[52]. Wythe’s opposition likely stemmed from their extreme presentation as much as disagreement on policy, and he continued to oppose the acts until Britain repealed them[53]. During the later years of his tenure in the House of Burgesses Wythe focused on drafting legislation related to land ownership[54].

Alderman (1768?-1772)

The City of Williamsburg had a government consisting of a mayor, a recorder, an upper chamber of six aldermen, and a lower chamber of twelve common councilors[55]. For an undetermined amount of time, George Wythe served as one of six aldermen for the City of Williamsburg, having been selected by the extant city government to fill a vacancy. He possibly served since as early as 1750, when he signed on record the oath of allegiance to the City, something required of sitting aldermen[56]. He must have been an alderman by 1768, as this would have been required for his subsequent appointment to mayor in the same year[57][58]. Although his specific activities as Alderman are unknown, he would have been responsible for the creation of city ordinances, the selection of new city government members in the event of a vacancy, and the organization of local fairs and markets[59]. George Wythe served until 1772, when he resigned for unknown reasons[60] and was replaced by Dr. James Blair[61].

Mayor of Williamsburg (1768-1769)

From his position as alderman, George Wythe was elected mayor by the other members of the city government[62], taking office on November 30th, 1768[63]. Wythe served a single term as mayor, until November of 1769[64]. As mayor, Wythe would have overseen major endeavors of the city in collaboration with the rest of the city government, including repair of streets, organization of events, and the creation of ordinances[65].

Clerk of the House (1768-1775)

After an unsuccessful bid to replace Peyton Randolph as Attorney General of Virginia[66], George Wythe was elected to be Clerk of the House in March of 1768, filling the vacancy left by the new Attorney General John Randolph[67]. Next to the Speaker, the Clerk of the House of Burgesses was the most significant office in the legislative body[68]. Alongside the standard roles of recording and maintaining records, the Clerk of the House of Burgesses presided over the election of the Speaker and could inform the Governor directly of proceedings within the House[69]. Wythe notably focused on elevating the standard of the office, ordering materials for the creation of bookplates[70] and a robe in the style of the British House of Commons[71]. He also used the privileges of his office to peruse records from prior clerks, building a familiarity that he would draw on during his post-revolutionary career[72].

Despite the fact that he could not be a sitting member of the House during his clerkship, Wythe continued to influence proceedings as an advisor to political leaders and novices in the legislature, especially as trans-Atlantic tensions rose[73][74]. According to one apocryphal account[75], Wythe used his position as Clerk to intentionally delay the delivery of the House’s minutes to Governor Botetourt in May of 1769, preventing the governor from dissolving the legislature while they were drafting appeals of protest for King George III[76]. Although Wythe’s direct participation in legislating was limited during this time, his name nevertheless appears as Clerk on several significant documents produced by the House of Burgesses during the leadup to the Revolution. For example, the Resolution Designating a Day of Fasting and Prayer, issued in May of 1774 to show solidarity with occupied Boston, was issued by Wythe[77]. He served as Clerk until June 1775, when Virginia’s colonial legislature dissolved for a final time, making Wythe the final Clerk of the House of Burgesses[78].

Delegate to the Second Continental Congress (1775-1776)

In 1775, the year after the cessation of his clerkship and following the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Wythe was among seven delegates elected to represent Virginia in the Continental Congress for the upcoming year. He earned the fifth most votes from the former Burgesses of any candidate, and ascended to the Continental Congress as a junior member [79]. Wythe traveled to Philadelphia with Peyton Randolph, Thomas Nelson, and their wives, arriving in early September of that year[80]. Although he did not speak often in Congress, he was an early advocate of independence[81]. In one 1776 debate, Wythe questioned why the delegates were concerned about appearing as “dutiful subjects” and not simply “rebels,” and emphasized the need for free trade independent of Great Britain, a position eventually adopted by the Congress that April[82]. Wythe served on many committees in the Continental Congress, including one to increase gunpowder production and one which drafted a resolution encouraging the outfitting of privateers[83].

While in Philadelphia, Wythe had the opportunity to befriend notable Massachusetts delegate John Adams. Wythe helped explain to Adams confusing internal disputes within the Virginia delegation[84] and generally provided intellectual and legislative support to Adams when it came to independence. In fact, Adams credited a conversation he had with George Wythe for inspiring his 1776 essay “Thoughts on Government”[85], an early foray into the design of the new American government, which featured structural features such as a two-chambered legislative branch including a lower representative house[86]. As 1776 stretched on, Wythe hardened his stance on the colonies’ political future, advocating alongside John Adams and Henry Lee that a firm declaration of independence from the British Empire was imminently needed[87]. Although Wythe was an ardent supporter of independence, he missed the pivotal vote for independence while traveling to Virginia to participate in the formal creation of a new state government[88]. He returned to Philadelphia in time to sign the Declaration of Independence[89], but soon afterwards returned permanently to Virginia to pursue matters of state government, despite having been elected to another term by Virginia’s legislators[90].

Williamsburg Seat, House of Delegates (1776-1778)

While George Wythe was serving in the Continental Congress, Edmund Pendleton “saved” Wythe the Williamsburg seat[91] in the series of conventions in Virginia that would become the formal House of Delegates in October[92]. He quickly became involved in an early attempt at revision of Virginia’s colonial law code, which the House of Delegates initiated in October. Wythe only arrived back from Philadelphia in January of 1777 and took a more moderate position on the revision process, hoping to preserve pivotal British statutes and expand upon them when needed[93].

After the end of his term as Speaker of the House in 1778, Wythe did not return to the House of Delegates, instead taking a prestigious judicial position in the High Court of Chancery in 1779[94].

Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates (1777-1778)

In 1777, Edmund Pendleton, the first Speaker of the House of Delegates, was injured after falling from a horse, necessitating the election of a new speaker[95]. Thomas Jefferson nominated George Wythe, who won election against Robert Carter Nicholas and Benjamin Harrison after two rounds on May 8th[96]. Wythe stated that he was serving merely in the stead of Pendleton, but continued to hold the office after Pendleton’s recovery and return[97]. Wythe’s tenure as Speaker saw him oversee proceedings regarding the appointment of delegates to the Continental Congress[98], the passage of legislation penalizing army deserters[99], and the funding of clothing for the state’s soldiers[100]. Among the last bills passed during Wythe’s tenure as Speaker was a bill to create the High Court of Chancery[101], which he would serve on soon thereafter. Wythe’s tenure as Speaker ended when the House of Delegates adjourned on January 24th, 1778[102], and he was replaced in May by Benjamin Harrison[103].

Delegate to the Constitutional Convention (1787)

After a series of negotiations in 1786 established a May 1787 convention, the Virginia General Assembly chose seven delegates to attend, including George Wythe. Despite concerns over the health of his wife Anne, Wythe travelled up the Chesapeake by ship and arrived in Philadelphia by mid-May[104]. After the convention began in late May, Virginia’s delegation, Wythe included, was among the first of the states to push for a total rehaul of the Federal system, not merely a revision. During these early stages, Wythe wrote to Jefferson during the conference asking for his thoughts on potential changes to the national government, but Jefferson was unable to respond in time while abroad[105]. At the onset of the convention, he chaired the Rules Committee to establish procedures for the upcoming debates[106]. After this endeavor, however, Wythe rarely spoke[107], except once to support a resolution by James Madison to focus on general principles before discussing specifics[108]. Perhaps this lack of engagement was because his wife’s condition was worsening, requiring him to leave Philadelphia in early June, sending his resignation to Governor Edmund Randolph on June 16 once back in Williamsburg with his wife[109]. Wythe did not return to the convention or sign the US Constitution[110], and Anne Wythe passed away two months later in August[111].

Delegate to the Virginia Ratifying Convention (1788)

Wythe did not put himself forward as a candidate for the upcoming convention in Virginia on ratification of the Constitution[112], but a convention of voters in neighboring York County, following the urging of a man named Charles Lewis, unanimously elected George Wythe and John Blair as delegates in absentia. Following this, a convoy of voters, including Thomas Nelson (the original candidate for the seat) travelled to Wythe’s home in Williamsburg to inform a startled Wythe of his new political role[113]. Upon arrival in Richmond, Edmund Pendleton was nominated as chair and Wythe seconded the nomination, possibly to remove himself from consideration as an opposing candidate[114].

Beginning in June, Wythe began to preside over committees of the whole, which invoked debate on the features of the Constitution between all delegates[115]. Wythe only gave one speech himself, notably with strong emotion. He spoke of the Revolution, the weakness of the Articles of Confederation, and the need for action despite the imperfections of the Constitution[116]. The Virginia delegates voted to ratify the Constitution 89-79, with Wythe voting in favor[117]. After ratification, Wythe headed a committee to draft suggested amendments for the Constitution once ratification had occurred[118], submitting forty amendments to the committee[119]. After a Federalist attempt to strike an amendment related to taxation powers failed, the amendments passed on June 27th, the same day the Convention concluded[120].

Virginia Elector (1800 and 1804)

In 1800, Wythe was chosen as an elector for his former student Thomas Jefferson[121], and presided over the state’s Electoral College when it convened in Richmond[122]. The Election of 1800 was notorious for a ploy by Democratic-Republicans to strategically vote for either Thomas Jefferson or Aaron Burr for President to ensure a Jefferson presidency and a Burr vice presidency, a plan that nearly went awry due to a defecting elector in New York[123]. The Virginia College of Electors, under Wythe’s leadership, sent all 21 of its electoral votes to Jefferson[124]

Wythe once again presided over the Virginia College of Electors in 1804[125], sending all 24 electoral votes to Thomas Jefferson[126] during his landslide victory over Charles Pinckney[127]. After the election, he joined Jefferson at a celebratory party, where Wythe himself received a toast from the attendees[128].

See also

References

  1. ↑ Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. (1907). "George Wythe" in Great American Lawyers, vol. 1. Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 66.
  2. ↑ Gottlieb, Matthew S. (2024, Aug.) "House of Burgesses." Encyclopedia Virginia. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/house-of-burgesses/.
  3. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 53.
  4. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia.
  5. ↑ Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge. New York: Garland Publishing.
  6. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 274.
  7. ↑ Montross, Lynn. (1970). The Reluctant Rebels: The Story of the Continental Congress 1774-1789. New York: Barnes & Noble, 149.
  8. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 29-30.
  9. ↑ Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1777-1780, vol. 1. (1827). Richmond, VA: Thomas W. White, 3-40.
  10. ↑ Munson, Suzanne Harman. (2021, May 25). "George Wythe of Virginia: Continental Congress Delegate, Judge, Professor of Law, and Declaration of Independence Signer." Constituting America. https://constitutingamerica.org/90day-dcin-george-wythe-of-virginia-continental-congress-delegate-judge-professor-of-law-declaration-of-independence-signer-guest-essayist-suzanne-harman-munson/.
  11. ↑ Debates and Other Proceedings of the Convention of Virginia. (1805). Richmond, VA: Enquirer-Press, 17.
  12. ↑ Walker, Leola O. (1967, Jan.). "Officials in the City Government of Colonial Williamsburg." The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 75, No. 1, 38-48.
  13. ↑ Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. (1907). "George Wythe" in Great American Lawyers, vol. 1. Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 66.
  14. ↑ Gruber, C. K. E. (2021, Feb. 17). "Williamsburg during the Colonial Period." Encyclopedia Virginia. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/williamsburg-during-the-colonial-period/.
  15. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 53.
  16. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 54.
  17. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 53.
  18. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 54.
  19. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 57.
  20. ↑ "George Wythe." Virginia House of Delegates Clerks Office: House History. https://history.house.virginia.gov/members/2394.
  21. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 62.
  22. ↑ Olson, C. A. G. (2020, Dec. 7). "The Pistole Fee Dispute." Encyclopedia Virginia. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/pistole-fee-dispute-the/.
  23. ↑ "Currency Converter: 1270–2017". (2024, Feb. 13). The National Archives. https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/currency-converter/.
  24. ↑ Olson, C. A. G. (2020, Dec. 7). "The Pistole Fee Dispute." Encyclopedia Virginia. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/pistole-fee-dispute-the/.
  25. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 71.
  26. ↑ "George Wythe." Virginia House of Delegates Clerks Office: House History. https://history.house.virginia.gov/members/2394.
  27. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 59.
  28. ↑ "French & Indian War Timeline: Lake George NY History." (2020, Mar. 3). The French & Indian War Society. https://www.frenchandindianwarsociety.org/timeline/.
  29. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 60.
  30. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 61.
  31. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 62.
  32. ↑ Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge. New York: Garland Publishing, 76.
  33. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 79.
  34. ↑ Miller, Elmer I. (1907). "The Legislature of the Province of Virginia: Its Internal Development." New York: The Columbia University Press, 75.
  35. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 79-81.
  36. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 16.
  37. ↑ King William III and Queen Mary II. (1693). "Royal Charter of William and Mary." Swem Library. https://guides.libraries.wm.edu/wm/charter.
  38. ↑ Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. (1907). "George Wythe" in Great American Lawyers, vol. 1. Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 57.
  39. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 16.
  40. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 166-167.
  41. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 167-168.
  42. ↑ Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. (1907). "George Wythe" in Great American Lawyers, vol. 1. Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 57-58.
  43. ↑ Shewmake, Oscar L. (1921). "The Honorable George Wythe: Teacher, Lawyer, Jurist, Statesman." William & Mary Faculty Publications, No. 1374, 27.
  44. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 168-169.
  45. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 22.
  46. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 170.
  47. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 22.
  48. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 171.
  49. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 22.
  50. ↑ Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. (1907). "George Wythe" in Great American Lawyers, vol. 1. Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 58-59.
  51. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 24.
  52. ↑ Henry, Patrick. (1765). "Patrick Henry's Resolves Against the Stamp Act." Patrick Henry National Memorial. https://www.redhill.org/speeches-writings/patrick-henrys-resolutions-against-the-stamp-act/?srsltid=AfmBOopLg-gBqcK8wOMMSoMqean8OKf6z6LQj0twyX2HBXALuDp-vWXl.
  53. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 191-215.
  54. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 224-226.
  55. ↑ "Williamsburg-The Old Colonial Capital." (1907, July). The William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 16, No. 1, 16.
  56. ↑ Walker, Leola O. (1967, Jan.). "Officials in the City Government of Colonial Williamsburg." The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 75, No. 1, 38-48.
  57. ↑ Walker, Leola O. (1967, Jan.). "Officials in the City Government of Colonial Williamsburg." The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 75, No. 1, 36.
  58. ↑ "Past Mayors & Governors." City of Williamsburg. https://www.williamsburgva.gov/573/Past-Mayors-Governors.
  59. ↑ "Williamsburg-The Old Colonial Capital." (1907, July). The William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 16, No. 1, 16.
  60. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 258.
  61. ↑ Goodwin, W.A.R. (1938). "George Wythe House." Department of Research and Record: Colonial Williamsburg, 11.
  62. ↑ Walker, Leola O. (1967, Jan.). "Officials in the City Government of Colonial Williamsburg." The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 75, No. 1, 36.
  63. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 250.
  64. ↑ "Past Mayors & Governors." City of Williamsburg. https://www.williamsburgva.gov/573/Past-Mayors-Governors.
  65. ↑ "Williamsburg-The Old Colonial Capital." (1907, July). The William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 16, No. 1, 16.
  66. ↑ Wythe, George. (1766, June 23). "George Wythe to Benjamin Franklin, 23 June 1766." National Archives. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-13-02-0112.
  67. ↑ Kukla, Jon. (1981). Speakers and Clerks of the Virginia House of Burgesses 1643-1776. Richmond, VA: Virginia State Library, 153.
  68. ↑ Sydnor, Charles S. (1952). Gentlemen Freeholders: Political Practices in Washington's Virginia. Williamsburg, VA: Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture, 96.
  69. ↑ Pargellis, S. M. (1927, Apr.). "The Procedure of the Virginia House of Burgesses." The William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 7, No. 2, 76-81.
  70. ↑ Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. (1919). Tyler's Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine. Richmond, VA: Richmond Press, 290.
  71. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 26.
  72. ↑ Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge. New York: Garland Publishing, 78.
  73. ↑ Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge. New York: Garland Publishing, 78.
  74. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 26.
  75. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 26-27.
  76. ↑ Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. (1907). "George Wythe" in Great American Lawyers, vol. 1. Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 60.
  77. ↑ "Resolution of the House of Burgesses Designating a Day of Fasting and Prayer." (1774, May 24). National Archives https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-01-02-0082.
  78. ↑ Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge. New York: Garland Publishing, 78-79.
  79. ↑ Hemphill, W. E. (1937). George Wythe the Colonial Briton. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 274.
  80. ↑ Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge. New York: Garland Publishing, 92.
  81. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 30.
  82. ↑ Montross, Lynn. (1970). The Reluctant Rebels: The Story of the Continental Congress 1774-1789. New York: Barnes & Noble, 119.
  83. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 33.
  84. ↑ Adams, John. (1851). The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, vol. 3. Boston: Little, Brown, and Co., 23-24.
  85. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 34.
  86. ↑ Adams, John. (1776, Apr.). "Thoughts on Government." National Archives. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-04-02-0026-0004.
  87. ↑ Montross, Lynn. (1970). The Reluctant Rebels: The Story of the Continental Congress 1774-1789. New York: Barnes & Noble, 149.
  88. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 36.
  89. ↑ Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. (1907). "George Wythe" in Great American Lawyers, vol. 1. Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 62.
  90. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 37.
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  92. ↑ Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1777-1780, vol. 1. (1827). Richmond, VA: Thomas W. White, 1-3.
  93. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 38.
  94. ↑ Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge. New York: Garland Publishing, 111.
  95. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 38.
  96. ↑ Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1777-1780, vol. 1. (1827). Richmond, VA: Thomas W. White, 3-4.
  97. ↑ Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge. New York: Garland Publishing, 103-104.
  98. ↑ Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1777-1780, vol. 1. (1827). Richmond, VA: Thomas W. White, 22.
  99. ↑ Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1777-1780. (1827). Richmond, VA: Thomas W. White, 109.
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  101. ↑ Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1777-1780, vol. 1. (1827). Richmond, VA: Thomas W. White, 109.
  102. ↑ Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1777-1780, vol. 1. (1827). Richmond, VA: Thomas W. White, 134-137.
  103. ↑ Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1777-1780, vol. 2. (1827). Richmond, VA: Thomas W. White, 4.
  104. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 64.
  105. ↑ Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge. New York: Garland Publishing, 123-124.
  106. ↑ Munson, Suzanne Harman. (2021, May 25). "George Wythe of Virginia: Continental Congress Delegate, Judge, Professor of Law, and Declaration of Independence Signer." Constituting America. https://constitutingamerica.org/90day-dcin-george-wythe-of-virginia-continental-congress-delegate-judge-professor-of-law-declaration-of-independence-signer-guest-essayist-suzanne-harman-munson/.
  107. ↑ "George Wythe." National Constitution Center. https://constitutioncenter.org/signers/george-wythe.
  108. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 65.
  109. ↑ Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge. New York: Garland Publishing, 124.
  110. ↑ The Debate on the Constitution, Part One. (1993). New York: Library of America, 202-203.
  111. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 65.
  112. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 66.
  113. ↑ Tazewell, Littleton Waller. (1823). An Account and History of the Tazewell Family. Williamsburg, VA: Tazewell Family, 97-99.
  114. ↑ Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge. New York: Garland Publishing, 129.
  115. ↑ Debates and Other Proceedings of the Convention of Virginia. (1805). Richmond, VA: Enquirer-Press, 17.
  116. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 69.
  117. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 70.
  118. ↑ Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge. New York: Garland Publishing, 130-131.
  119. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 70.
  120. ↑ The Debate on the Constitution, Part Two. (1993). New York: Library of America, 557-565.
  121. ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty. Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 79.
  122. ↑ Berexa, Daniel. (2011, Jan.). "The Murder of Founding Father George Wythe." Tennessee Bar Association. https://www.tba.org/?pg=Articles&blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=9542.
  123. ↑ "Elections from 1789 to 1828." Virginia Museum of History and Culture. https://virginiahistory.org/learn/getting-message-out-presidential-campaign-memorabilia-collection-allen-frey/elections-1789-1828.
  124. ↑ Lampi, Philip J. (2012, Jan. 11). "Virginia 1800 Electoral College." Tufts University: A New Nation Votes. https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/catalog/m039k589j.
  125. ↑ Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. (1907). "George Wythe" in Great American Lawyers, vol. 1. Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 66.
  126. ↑ Lampi, Philip J. (2012, Jan. 11). "Virginia 1804 Electoral College." Tufts University: A New Nation Votes. https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/catalog/7m01bn32j.
  127. ↑ "Elections from 1789 to 1828." Virginia Museum of History and Culture. https://virginiahistory.org/learn/getting-message-out-presidential-campaign-memorabilia-collection-allen-frey/elections-1789-1828.
  128. ↑ Berexa, Daniel. (2011, Jan.). "The Murder of Founding Father George Wythe." Tennessee Bar Association. https://www.tba.org/?pg=Articles&blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=9542.

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