Winton, who, in a letter to
the governor, dated November 22, 1784, speaks tenderly of the long
illness which had preceded the death of the venerable lady, and
especially of the strength and beauty of her character:--

"She has been in my family upwards of eleven years; and from
the beginning of that time to the end, her life appeared to
me most evidently to be a continued manifestation of piety
and devotion, guided by such a great share of good sense as
rendered her amiable and agreeable to all who were so happy
as to be acquainted with her. Never have I known a Christian
character equal to hers."[341]

On bringing his family to the capital, in November, 1784, from the
far-away solitude of Leatherwood, the governor established them, not
within the city itself, but across the James River, at a place called
Salisbury. What with children and with grandchildren, his family had
now become a patriarchal one; and some slight glimpse of himself and
of his manner of life at that time is given us in the memorandum of
Spencer Roane. In deference to "the ideas attached to the office of
governor, as handed down from the royal government," he is said to
have paid careful attention to his costume and personal bearing before
the public, never going abroad except in black coat, waistcoat, and
knee-breeches, in scarlet cloak, and in dressed wig. Moreover, his
family "were furnished with an excellent coach, at a time when these
vehicles were not so common as at present. They lived as genteelly,
and associated with as polished society, as that of any governor
before or since has ever done. He entertained as much company as
others, and in as genteel a style; and when, at the end of two years,
he resigned the office, he had greatly exceeded the salary, and [was]
in debt, which was one cause that induced him to resume the practice
of the law."[342]

During his two years in the governorship, his duties concerned matters
of much local importance, indeed, but of no particular interest at
present. To this remark one exception may be found in some passages of
friendly correspondence between the governor and Washington,--the
latter then enjoying the long-coveted repose of Mt. Vernon. In
January, 1785, the Assembly of Virginia vested in Washington certain
shares in two companies, just then formed, for opening and extending
the navigation of the James and Potomac rivers.[343] In response to
Governor Henry's let