Memories of Virginia
remembrance "in His name" a double commemoration.
Then came the waiting time for the wished-on-wished Restoration. The day came when news of Cromwell's death reached Virginia, and the belief was general that Parliament, like the Protectorate, would end, for it was apparent when Richard Cromwell succeeded his father that he would not, or could not long hold "the Dictatorship of England"; hence the King and Crown men waited for the Restoration with faith and patience; perhaps no one with more loyal pride than Matthews, who stood for England during the tragedy of Civil War, during the crimes of Parliament and horrors of anarchy, the last Governor who acted under the Royal Council, under the Protectorate, under the Parliament, and from the Burgess stood vested with kingly power over Virginia when England was making and writing history with sword and blood. A loyal son who died before finis was written. Governor Matthews died suddenly March 13, 1660, two months before the Restoration.
The Burgess announced his death in one expression of great sorrow: "England without a King; Virginia without a Governor."
All attested the affection he won and held for thirty-eight years, and all admitted the results he had achieved to close a life noble in action and rich in rewards. He died without realizing the hope of his life, but lived long enough to realize the time had come and the people ready "to hail the King."
He lived long enough to serve his country faithfully and to leave a name to pass over the cable of time until records of the world perish.
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