Gooch himself gave the key to his administration when he wrote: "The condition of affairs in this colony may be summed up in two words, peace and plenty." With many families becoming rich through the settlement of the West and the growth of the tobacco trade, with many hundreds of small farmers acquiring a degree of well-being by the purchase of a few slaves, with no immediate threat from the Indians on the frontier, with Governor and Council maintaining cordial relations, with the Governor cooperating with the Assembly and not trying to dominate it, with rapid strides being made toward the goal of self-government, the years of Gooch's administration may aptly be termed the golden era of Virginia colonial history. Many of the addresses of various bodies to the Virginia Governors lack the ring of sincerity, because they were obtained by bribery or threats. But the Council, in 1736, seem to have spoken from their hearts when they told Gooch: "As for us, Sir, who have the honor to be the near witnesses of the prudence, moderation, and justice of your administration, we should be unjust to ourselves, as well as ungrateful to your character, if we ... did not declare that we esteem the quiet and tranquillity which this colony has enjoyed under your government as one of the greatest public blessings." The Burgesses were even more articulate: "We are very sensible how much the colony owes to your good conduct in the government, and that all your actions are directed to a faithful discharge of your duty to his Majesty and to promote our common good. And should we distrust so just and upright a magistrate it would be discountenancing a virtuous administration, and making no difference between that and the greatest enormities, tyranny, and oppression. Or should we withhold our confidence from a person who for so many years has never once abused it, we might justly be reckoned an unworthy representative of a grateful people." FOOTNOTES: [1] Leonidas Dodson, _Alexander Spotswood_, 270, 271. [2] _Sainsbury transcripts_ 9: 74, 75. [3] _Journals of the House of Burgesses_, 1712-1726: 402. [4] _Ibid._, 419. [5] _Sainsbury transcripts_, 9: 121. [6] _Ibid._, 134. [7] _Ibid._, xlix, 1. [8] _Executive journals of the Council_ 4: 40. [9] _Journals of the House of Burgesses_, 1712-1726: 1. [10] _Executive journals of the Council_ 4: 114. [11] _Journals of the House of Burgesses_, 1727-1740: 242. [12] Gooch to the Lords of Trade, Feb. 12, 1728; Aug. 9, 1728. [13] W. W. Hening, _Statutes at large_ 4: 292. [14] July 23, 1730. [15] W. W. Hening, _Statutes at large_ 4: 475. [16] Gooch to the Lords of Trade, Oct. 5, 1736. [17] _Journals of the House of Burgesses_, 1742-1749: xxvii, xxviii. [18] Gooch to the Lords of Trade, June 8, 1728. [19] W. W. Hening, _Statutes at large_ 4: 279. [20] July 23, 1730. [21] _William and Mary Quarterly_ 2: 106-122. [22] CO5-1322, Report of Gooch. [23] _Executive journals of the Council_ 3: 234, 235.