Parson's Cause

The Parson's Cause was an important legal and political dispute in the Colony of Virginia often viewed as an important event leading up to the American Revolution. The case arose with regard to the Virginia Two-Penny Act. This act was a reaction to the poor tobacco crop of 1758. The shortage caused the price of a pound of tobacco to rise from two pennies a pound to six. Virginia had passed legislation in 1748 pegging salaries for Anglican clergy in the Colony of Virginia at 16,000 pounds of tobacco a year. The Virginia legislature responded to the tobacco price increase by allowing debts in tobacco to be paid to in currency equivalent to two pennies a pound, which was a third of the market price. King George III of England vetoed the law causing an uproar. The Virginia legislature saw the veto as a breach of its authority.

Reverend James Maury, a clergyman, responded to the veto by suing for back wages as requested of all the ministers involved; in effect, he became a representative of the British cause. Patrick Henry first emerged as notable figure by defending Hanover County, Virginia against the policies of Reverend James Maury. Henry argued for the Two-Penny Act, saying, "that a King, by disallowing Acts of this salutary nature, from being the father of his people, degenerated into a Tyrant and forfeits all right to his subjects' obedience."

The court found in favor of Rev. James Maury (grandfather of Matthew Fontaine Maury), but awarded him only one penny in damages. The case effectively nullified the veto and no other clergy sued. Interestingly, Patrick Henry's daughter, Martha, married Reverend John Fontaine, who was part of Reverend James Maury's family, and there are descendants today from both of these men.

References

• Parson's Cause

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