Editing Benjamin Harrison V (section)

==Governor of Virginia==
[[File:Berkeley plantation harrison home.jpg|thumb|right|Berkeley Plantation, Harrison family homestead in Charles City County, Virginia]]
The new nation secured its Revolutionary War victory in October 1781 at [[Yorktown, Virginia]]–this provided only brief respite for Harrison, who began to serve a month later as the fifth Governor of Virginia.{{sfn|Smith|1978|p=59}} He was also the [[List of governors of Virginia|fourth governor]] to assume the office in that year–wartime events in Virginia occasioned multiple successions.{{sfn|Smith|1978|pp=57–59}} Money was the primary problem he confronted, as the war had drained the coffers of the Virginia treasury, and creditors, both domestic and foreign, plagued the government.{{sfn|Smith|1978|p=60}} Hence, there was no capacity for military action outside of the immediate area, so Harrison steadfastly opposed offensive action against combative Indians in the Kentucky and Illinois country.{{sfn|Smith|1978|p=62}} He instead pursued a policy of treating with the [[Cherokee]], [[Chickasaw]], and [[Muscogee|Creek]] Indian tribes, which allowed peace to last for the remainder of his term. The situation resulted in some contentious exchanges with General [[George Rogers Clark]] who urged aggressive operations in the west.{{sfn|Smith|1978|p=65}}

As Harrison's term was ending, Washington accepted an invitation to visit with the Harrisons in Richmond, saying, "And I shall feel an additional pleasure, in offering this tribute of friendship and respect to you, by having the company of Marsqs. de la Fayette". The general visited in November 1784, though Lafayette could not accompany him. Harrison's service as governor was lauded, despite his inability to solve the financial problems that plagued his administration.{{sfn|Smith|1978|p=73}}