his possible expectations of a military career, 155; summary of his military beginnings, 155, 156; disgusted at failure of militia to resist Governor Dunmore's seizure of gunpowder, 158; wishes to emphasize situation by defying governor, 158; rallies county militia and marches against him, 159; receives protests from conservatives, 160; reinforced by thousands, 160; secures money compensation for gunpowder, 160; gives receipt for it, 161; offers to protect colonial treasurer, 161; rebuffed by him, 162; denounced in proclamation by Dunmore, 162, 163; condemned by conservatives, 164; thanked and applauded by county conventions, 164-166; returns to Continental Congress, 166; escorted by volunteer guard, 167; said by Jefferson to have been insignificant in Congress, 168, 169; falsity of his assertions, 169, 170; their lack of probability, 171; his activity proved by records of Congress, 172-175; interested in Indian relations, 172; on committees requiring business intelligence, 172, 173; commissioner to treat with Indians, 174; on committee to secure lead and salt, 174; asks Washington to let a Virginian serve in army for sake of acquiring military training, 175; returns to Virginia, 176. _Political Leader in Virginia._ Resumes services in Virginia convention, 176; purchases powder for colony, 176; thanked by convention, 176; appointed commander-in-chief of Virginia forces, 177; his authority limited by convention and Committee of Safety, 177; organizes troops, 178; not permitted to lead attack on Dunmore, 180; ignored by nominal subordinates, 180; practically superseded by Colonel Howe of North Carolina, 180; appointed colonel of a Virginia regiment, 181; resigns, 181; indignation of his officers and soldiers, 181-182; persuades soldiers not to mutiny, 183; again receives an address from officers of his own and other regiments, 183, 184; his military ability doubted by Committee of Safety, 185; by Washington and others, 186; lack of definiteness in criticisms, 186; real defect seems to have been lack of discipline, 187; never given a real chance to show his abilities, 188; saddened by wife's death, 189; reelected to Virginia convention, 190; his followers oppose Pendleton for president, 191; serves on all important committees, 192, 193; presents numerous reports, 193; eager for independence, 193; but wishes first a colonial union and a foreign alliance, 194; letter of Charles Lee to, on the subject, 194-196; influences convention to instruct delegates to advocate all three things, 197; advocates colonial union and French alliance in letters to Lee and Adams, 198;