Barbara N. McLennan Livres

The Wealth of Virginia takes the characters from The Wealth of Jamestown into the following decade, 1700-1710. It tells about the development of Virginia, a new and powerful colony, rich on the basis of its own resources and activities. Colonial Jamestown was where streets were actually (not proverbially) paved with gold (tobacco). Those who worked hard and avoided early death could have families and build great estates. Sarah Blair, daughter of one of Virginia's wealthiest planters, and William Roscoe, young Virginia planter and sheriff of Yorktown and Gloucester, continue their relationship though Sarah is formally married to James Blair, Commissary of the Church of England with connections to the Board of Trade in England. Blair is a lobbyist, a church bureaucrat, and an in-fighter, with little understanding of business. Sarah has retained her dowry and wealth, but William dies of yellow fever after returning from Charles Towne on one of their ships. Francis Nicholson, the royal lieutenant governor, has angered the colonists by intemperate outbursts and designs on one of their daughters. The planters send James and Sarah Blair to London to have Nicholson removed. Sarah returns a very powerful woman with an understanding of London and world trade.

Focusing on the transformation of U.S. governance, the book explores the dynamics of Washington's Iron Triangle—Congress, lobbies, and the Administration—over the past three decades. It chronicles Dr. McLennan's career journey from academia to influential roles in the House Budget Committee, a young Senator's office, and key positions at the Treasury and Commerce Departments. Her experiences in tax reform and international trade representation offer unique insights into the interplay of policy-making and governmental operations during a pivotal era.

The Wealth of Jamestown follows the development of a new people and the birth of a nation. William Roscoe, a young Virginia planter and sheriff of Yorktown and Gloucester, and Sarah Harrison, seventeen-year-old daughter of one of Virginia’s wealthiest planters, are in love and engaged to be married. But Sarah’s father, Benjamin Harrison II, forces Sarah to break the engagement and marry James Blair, lobbyist, church bureaucrat and Commissary of the Church of England, with connections to the Board of Trade in England. Sarah retains her dowry and wealth, and while Blair goes to England to lobby for a college of which he’d be President, she continues her relationship with William. Sarah and William buy two sailing ships, and William begins trade with pirates in the new city of Charles Towne. With King William’s War with France finished, commerce and trade open up and Virginia planters become very wealthy---William becomes a member of the House of Burgesses. But Blair returns, reclaiming his status and seeking power over all of Virginia.

Benjamin Harrison of Williamsburg has lived aboard Blackbeard's ship. Traveling and living the harsh life of a seamen, he kindled a friendship with the great captain. After settling down in Virginia and being elected to the House of Burgesses, he learns of a plot to murder his friend the captain Blackbeard and sails to save the captain. [adapted from pg 4 of cover]

Jane Powell cares for her widowed mother while waiting for the return of George Morgan White Eyes, who disappeared out west. Jane thinks George is dead, killed by agents of Thomas Jefferson. Jane's father fought with George Washington at Valley Forge and Washington saw that Leven was paid for his services with warrants for land along the Ohio. Leven gave these warrants to his son Billy. When Jane's brothers visit their mother they find Billy. He's being threatened by thugs who want his Ohio land.He tells his brothers that George Morgan White Eyes is alive and plans to return to see Jane. Billy leaves for the Winchester woods and meets George Morgan White Eyes. joining forces with fighters from Ohio. Billy's brother Cuthbert, mayor of Alexandria, sends militia to help, and his brother Burr, member of Virginia's General Assembly, goes to Winchester hoping to negotiate a settlement. Sally, Leven's widow, and her house servants anxiously send their grandchildren through the woods to Winchester to find news of Billy. These four teenagers, two boys and two girls, make it through the dark woods but meet attackers and are rescued by a mother bear. Near Winchester, several hundred armed men now are ready to face each other in battle.