Governor of Virginia
In 1811, Barbour declared his candidacy for the governorship. However, Barbour lost to the incumbent governor, George William Smith. On December 26, 1811, Smith died in a fire at the Richmond Theatre. On January 3, the Legislature convened and appointed Barbour governor. At the time, the country was on the verge of war with Britain. Barbour was in favor of the war, which he viewed as the only means by which to end British interference with the sovereignty of the U.S. As such, he began preparing the state for war. Barbour, whose father had trained the Orange militia, was aware of the inadequacies of Virginia’s militia. Accordingly, he sought appropriations for training and arming a stronger militia on February 11, 1812. Barbour urged the commanders of the militias from each county to prepare for defense of the country. He personally toured the tidewater region, which offered safe harbors for a British invasion. All of these acts earned Barbour the title of “the war governor.” On June 18, 1812, Congress declared war. So began the War of 1812. Perhaps because of his preparation for war, Barbour was reelected Governor in November 1812 without opposition. However, by 1813, Barbour was opposed by those who believed his strong policies of national unity were detrimental. Again, Barbour was elected governor. During this final term in 1814, Barbour finally convinced the Legislature to approve a plan of organizing 10,000 troops to be selected for a militia under Federal control. However, the Treaty of Ghent brought the war to an end. Barbour’s governorship also included many other acts, including exploration of the upper James River. He received funding to improve the roads of Virginia. He was also the first Governor to inhabit the Virginia Governor’s Mansion, designed by Alexander Parris. His contemporaries praised Barbour for his leadership. Barbour was viewed as an effective leader, whose executive powers, while stronger and more coherent than many of his predecessors, were adequately utilized to protect Virginia. Barbour also received the praise of the people of Virginia, who sent resolutions thanking the Governor for his strong and apt leadership during the war.
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